CHAPTER V.

THE KURSOULOU AND KAYISH RIVERS. BAZAAR. BOUDROUM.

Bridge over the Pyramus—Conglomerate—Landslips—An Armenian Hamlet—Confluence of the Rivers Kursoulou and Jeihaàn—Bridge over the Kursoulou—The Pass of Khadj Bel—Dourbin Dagh—Grand Volcanic Ridges of the Giaour Dagh—Bivouac in the Forest—Endurance of the Cappadocian Horses—Little Cultivation—Scanty Population—Scarcity of Birds and Animals—Great Heat of Mountain Valleys—Ajemli—An Armenian United Family—Scorpion—Centipede—Venomous Snakes in Cilicia—Difficulty of obtaining precise Information from Orientals—Greek Inscription—The Guide to Boudroum—The Kayish Sou, and Broken Ancient Bridge—Koum Kalaat—Dangerous Ford—Churning—Forest Hills—Absence of Animal Life—Exhilarating Air—The Village of Kars or Bazaar—Site of a Considerable Ancient City—Antiquities—An angry Imām—Inscriptions—Exemption from Military Service Tax—Governor or other Official gives a Tone to the Administration—Mount Hemita—The only Relics of former Muslim Villages—Fort of Boudroum—Temple—Tombs—Site of the Ancient City—Colonnade—Churches—Second Colonnade—Theatre—Gymnasium—Inscription—Danger of lingering in such Solitary Spots near the Frontier—Summer Camp of the Villagers of Hemita 104-135