78 FROM NEAPOLIS, 
menacing expression at the same time. They 
were armed only with one of the large Turkish 
poniards, which they were accustomed to use 
in digging up the roots of plants, when col- 
lecting specimens for their herbary ; but two 
Englishmen, even if unarmed, ought to be a 
match for one Turk, with all his weapons : it 
would have been no difficult matter, therefore, 
to have dispatched this fellow, and to escape 
with the horses ; but they waited very patiently, 
and even endeavoured to pacify the mutineer 
until the Tchohodar came ; who said " it was 
necessary to endure it all ; that every one of 
the party would be impaled alive if a blow 
were given to any of the inhabitants ; that it 
was well nothing worse had happened, there 
being neither government nor religion in the 
country, and he wished himself well out 
of it." — The ill-humour of the Surudjl pro- 
ceeded solely from his long fast, for the 
Ramadan; but the whole district was in a 
state of open rebellion, and bade defiance to 
all authority. We traversed again the long 
and dreary Plain of Tchouagilarkir for two 
hours, when we arrived at a bridge of eight or 
nine arches. Half an hour from this bridge 
we passed a small village; and one hour after- 
wards another village, with an antient bridge of 
