220 FROM CONSTANTINOPLE, 
namely, storks: for these birds appeared in 
such prodigious numbers around the town, that 
they seemed to have made it their own metro- 
polis. 
^pril 10. — After traversing the extensive 
campaign of Carnahat, we entered a moun- 
tainous region; and then descended into an- 
other plain, were we saw the ruins of a village 
that had been burned by the rebels, but not a 
house remained entire'. Upon the rise of a hill 
farther on, there was another village, called 
Dobraiu. Dobvalk, out of our route; but we repaired 
thither, after being four hours on horseback, for 
rest and refreshment. At Dohralle, the peasants 
were playing upon rude pipes, resembling, in 
their form and tone, our clarionets; sufficiently so 
to convince us that we here saw the instrument 
in its original state, in the hands of Bulgarian 
shepherds. Thence, resuming our journey, we 
entered what is called the Boccaze, or narrowest 
passage of the Balkan: for hitherto we had 
(l) " The whole country, from Philippopolis reaching to the 
Danube, and as far as Varn is in a state of rebellion ; the disorder 
sometimes breaking out in one place, and sometimes in another ; so 
that no part of the country can be considered as secure. Besides the 
rebels, there are also troops of handitti, who scour the country, 
availing themselves of its distracted state, to plunder either party, 
whenever an opportunity occurs." Cripps's MS. Journal. 
