Chap. IV. of Monfîeur Tavernier. 



receiv'd , was refolv'd to make the Bajha reftoi e fome part of his Goods which he 

 had taken from the Merchants -, and for the future to leave two of his Subjefts in 

 Tauris, and two in Van , that fhould be refponfible for what mifchief fhould be done 

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

 from 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 crofs'd in lèverai 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 Horfe 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 understand one another, and agree as cun- 

 ningly as they can together. 



From Kuticlar to Kalvat. 



From Kalvat to Kogia. 



From Kogia 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 Perfia. He lives in an ancient Caftle about half a League off, where the 

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

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

 much upon his Honour , that he lcorns to take Money. The Wine of Kours is fweet 

 and tart. 



From Kours to Devogli. 



From Devogli to Checheme. About half way between thefe two places you crofs 

 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 fourfcore Foot high -, 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 More of 

 Fifh \ thoufands of which would come up to the top of the Water , when a man 

 threw any Bread into it. The Fifh had a great Head, and a large Muftache. I (hot 

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

 but prefently 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 fome of 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 Abajffs for a 

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

 From Merand to Sefian. 



From Sefian to T mris. Thefe are the two biggeft days journies throughout the 

 Road. 



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

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

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



CHAP. 



