Another of our parties had been fired on from an ambush and then attacked in the open day.

Shots were fired on both sides.
Fortunately there was no bloodshed.

We spoke with the very pilgrim who had fired one of the shots, and learned from his own lips how, in this imminent deadly peril, only the cool courage of the pilgrims, their strength of numbers and imposing display of war material, had saved them from utter destruction.

It was reported that the Consul had requested that no more of our pilgrims should go to the Jordan while this state of things lasted; and further, that he was unwilling that any more should go, at least without an unusually strong military guard.

Here was trouble.