IN THE LAND OF THE BORA. 85 



CHAPTER XI. 



"This is the prettiest place we've seen yet," said 



E to me, when I joined her on deck. But 



Almissa is more than pretty — it is stupendous. 



Imagine a long line of bare rugged limestone 

 cliffs, the hindermost points rising to several thou- 

 sand feet. Through these the river Cettina, after 

 running parallel to the seashore for no less than 

 ten miles vainly seeking an outlet, has torn its 

 way, forming a gorge exactly the shape and size 

 of the Breche du Roland in the Pyrenees, but to 

 which the background gives more the appearance 

 of an Afghan pass. On the right bank of the river 

 lies Almissa. It is not noteworthy in appearance, 

 the old walls being gone. The Cettina, by forming 

 extensive shoals all round its mouth, has cut the 

 town off from the possibility of access for steamers, 

 which can only lie half a mile to the southward. 

 Across the stream is an extensive building half 

 hidden by fine trees, from which green marshy 

 meadows run down to the river mouth. 



We had got so thoroughly accustomed to look 



