324 Journal of a Steam Trip to the north of Baghdad. [April, 



had we not been favored with a strong south wind, I fear our present 

 attempt would have been attended with the like disappointment. At 

 I Oh. 50m. a small enclosure in the Hawi on the left bank bore east 

 two miles. It is called Khan Jozani, and affords protection to the cul- 

 tivators when threatened by plundering parties of the Abeid or 

 Shammar. The tomb in Dur bore at the above time 157°. The river 

 from Dur to this is known by the name of the Khan, and is much cut 

 up into islands, rendering the main channel extremely sinuous. Our 

 ascent to this has been one continued struggle against a heavy stream, 

 and a rapid every half mile, which the vessel barely manages to over- 

 come. Progressing steadily against the difficulties, arrived opposite 

 Sheri at el Aouja, a landing place formed by a gap in the clifts on the 

 west side of the Tigris. From this Dur bore 149°. Caravans here halt 

 to water. At the time of our passing, a Ghazu or plundering party of 

 the Shammar were lying in wait for any opportunity that might present 

 itself, of enriching themselves at the expense of others. Long before 

 we reached Tekrit, the inhabitants had turned out and the adults of 

 the population even met us several miles below. At four p. m. anchored 

 at Tekrit, and received a visit from its Governor, Mustafa ErTendi, who 

 put the resources of the town at our disposal, and rendered us much 

 service by placing at our command several Cavasses without which we 

 could scarcely hope to complete the vessel with fuel, the crowd around 

 being so great. 



In the evening, I walked to the top of the cliff on which the old 

 citadel stood. It bears evidence of former strength and, being naturally 

 nearly inaccessible, must have been entirely so when fortified. The 

 front facing the river is quite perpendicular, and exhibits horizontal 

 strata of stiff clay, red earth, fine sand and conglomerate in successive 

 layers from the water's edge to its summit ; indeed, this is the general 

 formation of the cliffs bounding each side of the valley of the Tigris 

 from Samarrah to Tekrit. This isolated cliff is about 130 yards long 

 by 70 broad, and in height 86 feet* from the water's edge, but the debris 

 of the former buildings scattered over its summit increase it to a hun- 

 dred in its highest part. Large massive bastions of lime and pebbles 

 faced with solid brickwork, abut around the cliff, between which the 



* Rich, in his work, estimates the height at 200 feet ; he is however in error, for I be- 

 stowed some care on its measurement. 



