The water-channels winding here and there, definable by crisp white shingling, appeared like threads tangled among islands green with grasses and fringed with reeds.
Up from the final depths of the valley of the Jordan some venturous oleanders had crept, and with their large bloom now starred the sunken place.

One palm-tree arose in royal assertion.

The bases of the boundary-walls were cloaked with clambering vines, and under a leaning cliff over on the left the mulberry grove had planted itself, proclaiming the spring which the party were seeking.
And thither the guide conducted them, careless of whistling partridges and lesser birds of brighter hues roused whirring from the reedy coverts.
The water started from a crack in the cliff which some loving hand had enlarged into an arched cavity.

Graven over it in bold Hebraic letters was the word GOD.

The graver had no doubt drunk there, and tarried many days, and given thanks in that durable form.