Chap. IV. of Mortfieur Tavernier. 107 



receiv'd was refolv'd to make the Bafia reftore fome part of his Goods which he 

 had taken from the Merchants •, and for the future to leave two of his Subjects in 

 Tawrts and two in Van , that fhould be refponfible for what miichief fhould be done 

 to the Caravan. For otherwife the Merchants like this way beft, as being the neareft 

 hopi Aleppo to Tauris, and where they pay lefs Duties. 



From Nuchar to Kuticlar, is a long Journey through the Mountains , by the fide 

 of feveral Torrents, which are to be crois'd in feveral places. This bad way brings 

 Fifty i'the Hundred profit to the Bey of Nuchar ; for were the Caravan to travel 

 through Plains , or a level Country, one Horfc or Camel would carry as much as two 

 or three , and the Merchant would pay Cuftom for no more. Here therefore the 

 Caravan-Bajhi and the Merchants muft underftand one another , and agree as cun- 

 ningly as they can together. m 



From Kuticlar to Kalvat. 



From Kalvat to Kogia. 



FroHl Koqia to Darkavin. 



From Darkavin to Soliman-Sera : all which four places are very convenient 



Inns. 



From Soliman-Sera to Kours : in that City refides a Bey, who is tributary to the 

 King of Perfa. He lives in an ancient Caftle about halt a League off, where the 

 Caravan pays nine Abafts for every Horfe-load , befides a Prelcnt. But that Prefent 

 confifts only in Sugar-loaves, Boxes of Treacle, or Marmaled-, for he ftands fo 

 much upon his Honour , that he {corns to take Money. The Wine of Kours is iweet 

 and tart. 



From Kours to Devogli. 



From Devogli to Checheme. About half way between thefc two places you crols 

 a Plain , which upon the South extends it felf a League to the Mountains, but upon 

 the North fide enlarges it felf out of fight. Upon the High-way, on the left hand 

 ftands a Rock three hundred Paces in compafs , and about fouricore Foot high 5 round 

 about it were to be feen feveral Dens, which moft certainly had been the Habi- 

 tations of thofe that fed their Cattel thereabouts. Under the Rock , which is 

 hollow, appears a Fountain of clear cold Water , wherein there was great (lore of 

 Fifth } thouiands of which would come up to the top of the Water , when a man 

 threw any Bread into it. The Fi(h had a great Head, and a large Muftache. I fhot 

 a Carbine into the River charg'd with Hail-fhot , upon which they all difappear'd, 

 but presently five or fix return'd wounded to the top of the Water, which we 

 eafily took. The Armenians laught at me for (hooting, believing it had been impof- 

 fible to catch them in that manner} but they admir'd when they beheld them again * 

 turning up their bellies at the top of the Water.The Turks and lomeof the Armenians 

 would not eat of them , believing them to be defil'd : but the Armenians that had 

 been in Europe laugh'd at their Superftition , and fell to , when they were dreft. 



From Checheme to Davajhiler. 



From Davajhiler to Mar and; a City where you muft pay fixteen Abaps for a 

 Camel's-load , and eight for a Horfes. 



From Merand to Sefian. / j* 



From Sefian to Tauns. Thefe arc the two biggeft days journics throughout the 



Returning out of Perfia this way, we could not get Bread for Moneys fo that 

 we were fore'd to give the Women fome Trifles which they lov'd better. Though 

 the People arc Mahometans , yet they will not fpare to drink luftily. 



Or CHAP 



