CHAPTER XI.
HUMS.
The city of Hums, the ancient Emessa, is situated about one mile east of the river Orontes, and about half way between Aleppo and Damascus.

It is in the midst of a vast and fertile plain, extending to Palmyra on the east, and to the Orontes on the west.

With the exception of a few mud-built villages along the east and near the city, there is no settled population between Hums and Palmyra.

The wild roving Bedawin sweep the vast plains in every direction, and only a few years ago, the great gates of Hums were frequently closed at midday to prevent the incursion of these rough robbers of the desert.

On the west of the city are beautiful gardens and orchards of cherry, walnut, apricot, plum, apple, peach, olive, pomegranate, fig and pear trees, and rich vineyards cover the fields on the south.