390 
RUINS OF BABYLON. 
the land in various parts Indeed, for a long time after the 
general subsiding of the annual overflowing of the Euphrates, 
not only great part of this plain is little better than a swamp, 
but large deposits of the waters are left stagnant in the hollows 
between the ruins ; again verifying the threat denounced against 
it, — “I will make thee a possession for the bittern, and pools 
of water.” Isaiah, chap. xiv. 
While thus, from the sublime eminence on which we stood, 
I leisurely surveyed the boundless desert around us, we all 
descried a dark mass coming up like a cloud from the horizon 
on the south; but as it rapidly moved forward, and in a direction 
to the Birs, we had no difficulty in discerning that it was no 
mirage of any kind, rather demonstrating itself to be a body 
there was no longer safety in stopping to investigate; so making 
all haste to our saddles, we left the towering'pinnacle of Nimrood 
to its approaching guests. As we trotted briskly on, with an 
occasional glance behind us, I perceived that our own troop 
had been also observed; and the Arab horsemen, in a deep and 
spreading squadron wheeling around, charged after us with all 
the speed and demonstrations of my old friends the Cossacks. 
We had now, what in all such adventures I had anticipated with 
an Asiatic escort, “ the advantage of ground” in the chase; and 
made, with all the speed in our horses heels, towards the walls 
of Hillah. Once under their shade, the game was up; our 
pursuers retreated, and we passed into the gates, not the less 
pleased with our brief share in the sport. 
November 22d. — Another gigantic object worthy of note, 
lay pretty far on the eastern side of the Euphrates; and, again 
attended by my escort, I set forth this morning to resume my 
researches in that quarter. The pile in view is called A1 Hymer. 
Its distance from the western suburb of Hillah cannot be less 
