BOLTINE. 
411 
track. It was dark when we reached the town, which is close to 
theBogaz. The Schech came down to us, and invited us to his house, 
where we took coffee, and enquired about our way. We now found, 
to our infinite vexation, that instead of being able to procure every 
thing we might want here, as Mr. Petrucci had represented, (to 
whom we had left the arranging of our route), that three camels only 
were to be had, and that those were at Boltine, distant two hours 
march, where the Schech el Belled, and the Caimakan lived, and 
that there we must go for them. In short, we found that we had no 
business to come to Bourlos at all. Our other boats were not come 
up, so we desired the Schech to get us a dinner ; he also offered us 
his house to sleep in. We sent off letters to Boltine, and determined 
to follow by water in the morning. Our tents came about eight. 
April ^5.— We were up early, and made a breakfast on coffee 
with cakes and eggs, sent from the Schech. We took a cordial leave 
of the old man, (who boasted he had a firmaun from the mighty 
Sultaun Selim himself), wishing never again to see a place which 
has nothing to recommend it, except a sight of the gambols of thou- 
sands of porpoises, that seem to take a particular delight in the 
rapidity of the current at the entrance, and the shallow, muddy 
waters of the lake. The French have built a tower on the opposite 
bank, which commands the passage. No one is now in it. The wind 
was N. W. and the current came in so rapidly, that the lake 
evidently rose. We reached Boltine in about an hour. It was im- 
possible to go close to the shore, but by means of camels and mens' 
shoulders we got there dry. The Schech el Belled met us, and made 
his compliments. We found that the three camels were all that were 
to be had, and the number of asses was uncertain. The Caimakan 
