216 FROM CONSTANTINOPLE, 
CHAP, to the spot, might now be discovered; but the. 
, .^' , state of the country precluded all possibility of 
venturing, without a powerful escort, to any 
distance from the route. 
IFednesday , ^pril 7- — After our departure 
from Kirk Iklisie, we penetrated farther into 
the hilly country; travelling among trees, and 
observing many fine plants beginning to bloom. 
In spite of the good Ambassador's reproof, we- 
destroyed this day another very large serpent, 
without his knowledge. The inhabitants are a 
mixed race of Bulgarians and Malo-russians. At 
ten o'clock, after four hours' journey, we 
HericUr. rcachcd a village called Hericler, where we 
breakfasted; and then proceeded four hours 
farther, to Kannara, another village, which we 
found in a state of utter waste and desolation ; 
the banditti having burned the dwellings, after 
killing or wounding many of the inhabitants. 
When we arrived, there was not a creature to 
be seen ; the former inhabitants having aban- 
doned the place. We took possession of the 
entire village. Towards evening, the owner of 
the house where we lodged ventured to his 
dwelling, from the mountains, bringing with 
him his son: the poor child and his father 
seemed to be almost starved With what 
