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done washing； and on my way back。 Then they gave me breakfasthot
bread and milk； and fried flesh of something between mutton and
venison。 Their ways of cooking and eating were European； though
they had only a skewer for a fork； and a sort of butcher's knife to
cut with。 The more I looked at everything in the house； the more I
was struck with its quasi…European character； and had the walls
only been pasted over with extracts from the Illustrated London
News and Punch； I could have almost fancied myself in a shepherd's
hut upon my master's sheep…run。 And yet everything was slightly
different。 It was much the same with the birds and flowers on the
other side； as compared with the English ones。 On my arrival I had
been pleased at noticing that nearly all the plants and birds were
very like common English ones： thus； there was a robin； and a
lark； and a wren； and daisies； and dandelions； not quite the same
as the English； but still very like themquite like enough to be
called by the same name； so now； here； the ways of these two men；
and the things they had in the house； were all very nearly the same
as in Europe。 It was not at all like going to China or Japan；
where everything that one sees is strange。 I was； indeed； at once
struck with the primitive character of their appliances； for they
seemed to be some five or six hundred years behind Europe in their
inventions； but this is the case in many an Italian village。
All the time that I was eating my breakfast I kept speculating as
to what family of mankind they could belong to； and shortly there
came an idea into my head； which brought the blood into my cheeks
with excitement as I thought of it。 Was it possible that they
might be the lost ten tribes of Israel； of whom I had heard both my
grandfather and my father make mention as existing in an unknown
country； and awaiting a final return to Palestine？ Was it possible
that I might have been designed by Providence as the instrument of
their conversion？ Oh； what a thought was this！ I laid down my
skewer and gave them a hasty survey。 There was nothing of a Jewish
type about them： their noses were distinctly Grecian； and their
lips； though full； were not Jewish。
How could I settle this question？ I knew neither Greek nor Hebrew；
and even if I should get to understand the language here spoken； I
should be unable to detect the roots of either of these tongues。 I
had not been long enough among them to ascertain their habits； but
they did not give me the impression of being a religious people。
This too was natural： the ten tribes had been always lamentably
irreligious。 But could I not make them change？ To restore the
lost ten tribes of Israel to a knowledge of the only truth： here
would be indeed an immortal crown of glory！ My heart beat fast and
furious as I entertained the thought。 What a position would it not
ensure me in the next world； or perhaps even in this！ What folly
it would be to throw such a chance away！ I should rank next to the
Apostles； if not as high as theycertainly above the minor
prophets； and possibly above any Old Testament writer except Moses
and Isaiah。 For such a future as this I would sacrifice all that I
have without a moment's hesitation； could I be reasonably assured
of it。 I had always cordially approved of missionary efforts； and
had at times contributed my mite towards their support and
extension； but I had never hitherto felt drawn towards becoming a
missionary myself； and indeed had always admired； and envied； and
respected them； more than I had exactly liked them。 But if these
people were the lost ten tribes of Israel； the case would be widely
different： the opening was too excellent to be lost； and I
resolved that should I see indications which appeared to confirm my
impression that I had indeed come upon the missing tribes； I would
certainly convert them。
I may here mention that this discovery is the one to which I
alluded in the opening pages of my story。 Time strengthened the
impression made upon me at first； and； though I remained in doubt
for several months； I feel now no longer uncertain。
When I had done eating； my hosts approached； and pointed down the
valley leading to their own country； as though wanting to show that
I must go with them； at the same time they laid hold of my arms；
and made as though they would take me； but used no violence。 I
laughed； and motioned my hand across my throat； pointing down the
valley as though I was afraid lest I should be killed when I got
there。 But they divined me at once； and shook their heads with
much decision； to show that I was in no danger。 Their manner quite
reassured me； and in half an hour or so I had packed up my swag；
and was eager for the forward journey； feeling wonderfully
strengthened and refreshed by good food and sleep； while my hope
and curiosity were aroused to their very utmost by the
extraordinary position in which I found myself。
But already my excitement had begun to cool and I reflected that
these people might not be the ten tribes after all； in which case I
could not but regret that my hopes of making money； which had led
me into so much trouble and danger； were almost annihilated by the
fact that the country was full to overflowing； with a people who
had probably already developed its more available resources。
Moreover； how was I to get back？ For there was something about my
hosts which told me that they had got me； and meant to keep me； in
spite of all their goodness。
CHAPTER VII： FIRST IMPRESSIONS
We followed an Alpine path for some four miles； now hundreds of
feet above a brawling stream which descended from the glaciers； and
now nearly alongside it。 The morning was cold and somewhat foggy；
for the autumn had made great strides latterly。 Sometimes we went
through forests of pine； or rather yew trees； though they looked
like pine； and I remember that now and again we passed a little
wayside shrine； wherein there would be a statue of great beauty；
representing some figure； male or female； in the very heyday of
youth； strength； and beauty； or of the most dignified maturity and
old age。 My hosts always bowed their heads as they passed one of
these shrines； and it shocked me to see statues that had no
apparent object； beyond the chronicling of some unusual individual
excellence or beauty； receive so serious a homage。 However； I
showed no sign of wonder or disapproval； for I remembered that to
be all things to all men was one of the injunctions of the Gentile
Apostle； which for the present I should do well to heed。 Shortly
after passing one of these chapels we came suddenly upon a village
which started up out of the mist； and I was alarmed lest I should
be made an object of curiosity or dislike。 But it was not so。 My
guides spoke to many in passing； and those spoken to showed much
amazement。 My guides； however； were well known； and the natural
politeness of the people prevented them from putting me to any
inconvenience； but they could not help eyeing me； nor I them。 I
may as well say at once what my after…experience taught menamely；
that with all their faults and extraordi