330 
ARZ-ROUM TO AMASIA. 
the other side of the stream is Pekesidge, a town with a castle on a 
conical hill. This is on the high road leading from Ak CaUh to Con - 
stantinople , through Shoghoun Dereh , the pass occupied by the Courds . 
After this is the village of Ak Doglian , and then that of Kismisore , but 
both deserted. The cultivation is however very plentiful. In our 
line to the W. we crossed a branch of the river, where the water was 
up to the horses' bellies. 
Kara Colagh is a large village, and the Menzil Klioneh is here. The 
surrounding mountains still bear an appearance of mineral. The clouds 
gathered at the usual hour, but in a much smaller quantity than on 
the preceding days. There was round the road a great profusion of 
wild herbs, and amongst others asparagus. 
25th. On the next morning we had a great dispute at the Menzil 
KhonSh. The master peremptorily required that we should pay for the 
horses with which he furnished us. In vain did the Mirza persist that 
he was an Elchee, an Embassador; our host swore that he cared neither 
for the Shah of Persia, nor for his own Sultan , and that he must have 
our money before we should take his beasts. We agreed at last to give 
twenty-five piastres for the hire of twenty horses. 
Our road first took a N. direction among uncultivated mountains, 
where I am told that the snow is frequently so deep in winter as to im¬ 
pede the passage of travellers. It then varied W. and N. and N. and 
W. frequently; but on a general bearing, I think that we averaged 
N. 60 W. to Chiflik , a distance called twelve hours, and which we per¬ 
formed exactly in that time, on a reckoning of forty miles. In winding 
through the mountains, we came to parts beautifully wooded with fir, 
pines, and walnut-trees; and forming, particularly on a long descent, 
the most picturesque forest scenery that can be imagined. At the sum¬ 
mit of the mountains we had a continual rain for two hours, accompa¬ 
nied with thunder. When we reached the close of the descent, we 
discovered on our left hand the village of Sadac , situated about two 
miles from the road on the declivity of the hills, with a surrounding 
territory admirably fertile'in corn, and well watered. From this place 
