Negotiations were begun immediately. Several contractors wished to be engaged, and the choice fell on a Syrian named Ali Solomon, or Solyman, who was strongly recommended both by the consul and by those who had previously employed him. After considerable bargaining the following terms were agreed upon:
The contractor, or dragoman, was to provide all requisites for the journey. There were to be three double tents--one for every two persons--servants, beds, food, English saddles, horses for riding and carrying the baggage. He was to engage sufficient escort when needed, and pay all fees and backsheesh of every kind, except when the party visited churches, convents, and the like. Whenever the party stopped in hotels or convents, instead of remaining in camp, he was to pay for their food and lodging. The horses were to be sound and kind, and if any of them became disabled the dragoman was to provide proper substitutes free of extra charge. The party could go where it pleased, change its route as often as it liked, select its own day for leaving any city or town, and, if the contract was closed anywhere but in Jaffa, the dragoman was to have a fair allowance for the return journey. In case of dispute, the matter could be referred to the American or any other consul at the most convenient point.
While on the road the food should consist of coffee or tea in the morning, with eggs and bread-and-butter; luncheon at noon, of chicken or other cold meat, eggs, bread, cheese, and fruit; and dinner should be as good as the hotel dinner. In Jerusalem the party should choose for itself the hotel where it would stop.
In consideration of the above, each person of the party was to pay twenty francs, or sixteen English shillings ($4) per day. One-third of the money was to be paid before starting, one-third when the journey was half over, and the balance on the return to Jaffa, or the discharge of the dragoman at some other point.[6]
[6] The above is the contract, with some slight change of phrases, that was made by the party of six of which the author was a member when he visited the Holy Land. It should be remarked that it was not in the height of the travelling season, and consequently the terms were lower than usual. A party of six or more can generally secure everything as above stated for twenty-five francs (twenty shillings) each person daily. The tourist agencies charge thirty shillings per day, and require the whole amount to be paid in advance, and they generally manage to bring in a large bill for "extras" at the end of the journey. An excellent form of contract can be found in Baedeker's "Hand-book for Palestine and Syria."