THE DEMBRA. 103 



offended power, we rode on across the plain 

 towards the mouth of the gorge of the Dembra, 

 in order to examine the ruins, to which Sir C. 

 Fellows, at the suggestion of Colonel Leake, 

 has attached, with a query, the name of Trabala. 

 As we were leaving the village, our attention 

 was attracted towards a cottage of a neater 

 aspect and larger size than those around it. 

 The buzz of many voices sounded within its 

 walls; and, on inquiry, we found it to be the 

 public school. In it about seventy children 

 of various ages under twelve, were learning 

 their lessons according to the fashion of their 

 nation. 



In half an hour we reached the broad torrent 

 flowing at the foot of the mountain on the 

 west side of the plain. Being now swollen by 

 several tributary streams, it was only ford able 

 in a few places, and having crossed it three or 

 four times in an hour and a half after quitting 

 Kassabar, we arrived at the entrance to the 

 valley of Dembra, the appearance of which is 

 very striking. A remarkable conical rock rears 

 itself nearly one thousand feet high, in the very 

 mouth of the gorge, surmounted by a fortress, the 

 walls and towers apparently in an excellent state 



