CHAPTER XIII.

VALLEY OF THE CALYCADNUS. PALÆPOLIS. ERMENEK.

Claudiopolis—The Yatar Tash—Latin Inscription—Guides to Ford the River—Swiftness of the Gieuk Sou—Adrass, Bardat, and Geden Mountains—Villagers Refuse a Guide—Churlishness of the Peasantry of this District—Vast Forests—Precipices of Adrass and Bardat—Bivouac with the Miller of Bejeh—The Volcanic Flame on Daoush Tepe—Ruins of Balabolu (Palæpolis)—Sarcophagi—Huge Old Juniper Trees—Tradition of the Capture of the City—Tombs of the Muslim Soldiers—Snakes and Snake Bites—Effect of a Good Cuffing—The Tea Plant Grows Wild in these Mountains—“Tell us how to find the Buried Treasures!”—The Korou Deresi (Parched Valley)—Descent to Ermenek—Terrible Hail-storm—Our Khan Swamped—Immense Damage done by the Hail—Description of Ermenek and its Neighbourhood—Difficulty of Reaching the Sea Coast—Beauty of the Children and Young Girls—Nahli’s Former Visit to Ermenek, and Adventures there—Nawàhi—Gelibel Dagh—Yourouk Camp at Altoun Tash—A Hospitable Old Lady and her Daughter 334-360