ARZ-ROUM TO AMASIA. 
33T 
tinned our own course to the W. and came to the banks of a large 
stream called (like the earlier part of the Euphrates) the Kara Sou, 
and flowing from E. to W. in a channel between two chains of rocks. 
In its subsequent progress, like the Euphrates also, it assumes a new 
name; and at Niksar is called the Kelki Irmak*. I am told that it 
takes its rise near the mines, fifteen days journey from the point where 
we saw it, and that it finally falls into the Black Sea. We encamped 
on the banks, having followed the windings of the river through the 
mountains, on a bad road, now and then rendered dangerous by 
narrow and steep passes. Oiu: halt was on the extremity of the range, 
with a village to our right; on the eminence on the opposite side of 
the water, appeared a ruin of which no one could give me any better 
account, than that it was a church built by the Giaours or infidels. 
I could observe a portico with a Roman arch; and, not being able to 
cross the stream and take a nearer view, I was obliged to be contented 
with this scanty information. About noon a strong wind arose from 
the S. W. bringing together an immense collection of thick clouds ; 
which at the close of the evening fell in heavy torrents of rain. Here 
again we were exposed to the storm for the night, without any other 
shelter than that which the foliage of two trees, and the partial covering 
of a shelving rock might yield. 
1st. July. We proceeded W. again about eighteen miles, and as on 
the preceding day, stopped by the banks of the river, which continued 
to wind at the foot of two ranges of mountains. On the right chain 
was the line of our route, in parts .singularly dangerous: in one pass 
the soil crumbled under our feet as we advanced, and fell a-horrid 
depth into the precipice over the river below, Nor indeed, if a little 
more rain had fallen, would the road have been practicable at any 
hazard. About eight miles from Kiiley Hissar (on the left of our 
course, and on the other side of the river) is a small structure built 
* It is the ancient Li/cus. 
X X 
