2^Z TRAVELS IN UPPER 



river being confined in its current to this particu- 

 lar spot, it flows along with great rapidity, and 

 the greatest precaution is requisite in steermg the 

 boats along. If they are unlbrtunate enough to 

 split against these rocks, which are more than 

 perpendicular, as the mass is hollowed in the de- 

 clivity, it is impossible for the crev/ to escape. 

 Besides the catacombs which I have mentioned, I 

 observed, at the extremity of the mountain of 

 Aboufeda, the ruins of buildings cut out in the 

 rock, and which I had not remarked on my first 

 excursion. Several wild geese were perched on 

 the protuberances of the rocks. 



Among those persons vv^hom the Reis had put on 

 board, there were four soldier's servants who had 

 run away from the army. Well pleased at escap- 

 ing from the toils of war, their insolence had no 

 bounds. Havino; been informed that we were Eu- 

 ropeans, their insults and impertinence were par- 

 ticularly pointed at us. I had determined to chas- 

 tise them at the first town where we should stop ; 

 but having arrived at MeUavuid in the night, I was 

 obliged still to restrain myself. The four unruly 

 geotieraen continued their invectives the following 

 day. They carried their audacity so far as to strike 

 two of my companions; the latter were not long 

 in returning the blow ; the engagement began, 

 and guessing from the noise what had happened, I 



hastened 



