314 
SHEROUR. 
this, who had it in his power to render our stay in his territory either 
extremely disagreeable, or very much the contrary, was not to be treated 
like the generality of Persian Governors; and the mode which he 
adopted to inform us of his wishes and expectations was equally original 
and effective. In the first place he betook himself to a village about half 
way up Mount Ararat, and then informed the Ambassador that he had 
provided entertainment for himself and suite during their stay in his 
territory, that he intended to go out to meet him on his approach to 
Erivan, a piece of attention which he had never willingly paid to any 
other person, and that he should be treated with the greatest honour 
and distinction by all ranks of his people. He said that he would do 
this and more if possible, provided the Ambassador would accept Sursat, 
or provisions; but if not, then instead of going out to meet him, he 
would on the contrary go still higher up tl)e mountain, and the Elchee 
might get through the country in the best way he could. Arguments 
such as these were irresistible, consequently the Ambassador accepted 
his offer, the effect of which was soon manifest, for we had not pro¬ 
ceeded half way to Narashin, before we were met by three or four 
hundred ragamuffins on horseback, headed by the chief men of Sherour, 
who complimented the Ambassador on his arrival, and offered him in 
the name of the Serdar, full and complete controul over their country 
and the lives and properties of its inhabitants. 
We made a turn to the right to avoid the rice-grounds, and having 
crossed the rapid stream of Arpachai, were happy to reach our tents 
after a hot ride. 
The district or boluk of Sherour is one of the most fertile in Persia, 
and is particularly abundant in rice-grounds. To the westward it is 
bounded by a low chain of mountains, and separated from the district 
of Sadrek, through which there is an open pass that is seen from afar, 
and forms a good surveying object. It is particularly well watered by 
the Arpachai, a river which rises on a bearing of N. 42° E. from Nara¬ 
shin, from a range of snowy mountains eight fursungs distant, and which 
flows into the Araxes at the bottom of the plain. The Arpachai is more 
a mountain-torrent than a constant river. At this season when the 
