THE CAPE OF THE WIKD^. 
203 
^^ing conducted to the north-eastevn point of the 
'^sing the shape of the summit on which 
Sr. J of Mankoop was built, and descending a few 
Saip neatly hewn out in tlie rock, we entered by - 
Of 'door the cavern, called by the Tartars the Cai 
"n“EW - 
a 
APE 
ig iNDs. It has been- chisseled, like the rest, out 
®nlid stone ; but is open on four sides. From the 
^ •'** -w—. 
'■P’Jtiir^ V^°*’Psct liere commanded of all the surrounding 
Sli. probably served as a post of military observa- 
tlig apertures, or windows, are large arched chasms 
through these, a most extensive range of 
I Wi distant mountains and rolling clouds forms 
spectacle. There is nothing in any part of 
surpass the tremendous grandeur ot the place. 
V' cavern is another chamber leading to the 
''"I of .1* uu its different sides : these have all beeir cut 
'he 
Same rock.” 
vH in descending, pursued a different route, 
%’ U they had taken in their ascent, would, our tra- 
Sw “'^^fves, have aftbrded them a view of the snblimest 
'tuaginable. They now passed beneatli an old 
It ^ fQ^^*’®‘'"'ay of the citadel, once its principal entrance, 
jet fall ■ ^'’uks the northern side ot the mountain j and 
j|se the valley is so bold and profound, tliat a single 
?§hii-^'P Would precipitate both horse and rider. By 
tile danger is av'oidcd ; and the terror of the 
^umpensated by the noblest scenery the eye ever 
N tlw dark before they reached the bottom ; 
t 'th I t^d some difficulty to .regain the principal road 
through the defile, owing principally to the 
h v'l'f^' project over all tlie lanes in the vicinity of 
'^ges, and so effectually obstruct the passage of 
ij ^itiff'’) ^’'’tseback, that they were in continual danger 
thrown. The defile itself is not without danger 
f seasons of the year, immense 
«etaehi - 
masses of lime- 
ing themstdves from tlie rocks above, and 
e them in their descent. Several of these 
\i ■■“s \ inem in incir utibcciiL. ocvciai 
tivgf '■ttuhed from the northern precipices, had crossed 
^"ir^.j-ft tlie bottom, and, by the prodigious velocity 
Up their descent, had actually rolled nearly halt- 
ue opposite side. 
