ASCENT OF CRAGUS. 301 



to the upper parts of the mountains. With 

 them at daybreak, next morning, (May 27th s ) 

 we ascended to a plain which lies between the 

 two chief peaks at a height of four thousand feet. 

 Here we found many families, who had previous- 

 ly arrived, encamped, their flocks and cattle 

 browsing around them on the long fresh moun- 

 tain grass. Leaving our attendants and horses 

 among them, we commenced the ascent of the 

 highest peak of Cragus, which rose precipitously 

 more than two thousand five hundred feet above 

 this alpine plain. The first half of the way was 

 through a thick zone of forest ; the remainder 

 was among precipices of bare rock, in the cre- 

 vices of which lay the accumulated snow of 

 winter, furnishing a pleasant refreshment as we 

 toiled upwards under a broiling sun. From the 

 sharp and narrow summit of this lofty peak we 

 enjoyed our last look over Lycia ; below us lay 

 the whole expanse of the Xanthian plain, and 

 beyond we could see far into the gorges and yai- 

 lahs of Massicytus, now as familiar to us as the 

 hills and valleys of our native land. In the bird's 

 eye view before us, long journeys of miles and 

 hours appeared as brief spaces asunder ; and the 

 labyrinth of hills and crags we had so lately trod- 



