326 FROM THE STRAITS OF THERMOPYL.^ 
CHAP, that he might survey the country, and, if pos- 
^ sible, discover our route ; and was uttering his 
distress most lamentably, in consequence of the 
approach of some one, v^ho was also heard 
calling to him. As soon as he saw Mr. Cripps, 
he ran to him as if shot from a gun ; and leap- 
ing upon his horse, remained seated behind his 
saddle until he arrived once more at the bridge. 
By this time, evening was coming on ; and we 
were overtaken by a Tahtar Courier from Tri- 
polizza in the Morea ; who pretended that 
he had been only one day upon his journey, 
and that he expected to arrive at Constantinople 
in six days. This appeared to us to be impos- 
sible. Afterwards, our journey was continued 
through woods; and we often observed the 
remains of a paved road. The guides frustrated 
our plan of seeing Thaumacia, now called 
Thaumaco, by going a shorter road to Phar- 
SALiA, and leaving it upon our left; thereby 
shortening the distance at least three hours. 
Thaumacia contains the remains of antient 
walls, and it ought to be visited. It is situate 
upon the top of a hill. We were surprised, 
soon afterwards, to find that the plain over 
which we had been traveUing was very highly 
elevated : after ascending a gentle slope, upon 
leaving the woods, there was suddenly exposed 
