THE FANATIC A European hat in those days was a rarity except in the large towns, and it attracted notice.

That is the reason why I generally discarded it, with other too conspicuously Western adjuncts.

Where the inhabitants were not well-mannered, the hat was apt to be saluted with a shower of stones.
One afternoon I happened to be riding by myself along a so-called road in the bare mountain country round Jerusalem, wearing a hat, when I came on a pedestrian resting in the shadow of a rock by the wayside.
He was a native Christian--that much could be detected at a glance; but of what peculiar brand I could not guess from his costume, which consisted of a fez; a clerical black coat and waistcoat, quite of English cut, but very much the worse for wear; a yellow flannel shirt, and a red cord with tassels worn by way of necktie; baggy Turkish pantaloons; white stockings, and elastic-sided boots.

Beside him, a long staff leaned up against the rock.

He sprang upon his feet at my approach, and, with an amiable smile and bow, exclaimed: 'Good afternoon.