544 
CAVES OF KEREFTO. 
corner of the altar-chamber led us into another, considerably 
longer, with two large window-openings commanding a glorious 
view west and south. At the upper end of this second apart¬ 
ment a platform appears, elevated about four feet from the 
common floor. Its western window points that way. In the 
middle of the rocky wall, directly opposite to the southern 
window, a large semicircular recess expands itself, surmounted 
with a rude ornamental line carved in front. Out of this cave 
a small vestibule conducts to a ruined flight of steps, leading to 
a higher range of chambers, eastward. On the lintel of the 
portal we pass under from this vestibule, (and I must remark 
that the tops of all the door-ways are flat,) we discovered an 
inscription in the Greek character, neatly hewn in the stone. 
The chiseling, however, has never been deep j and time or 
accident having defaced parts of it, only fragments remain, of 
which I have given a copy in the same sketch with the plan. 
From the beginning letters, I should deem it alludes to the 
Emperor Heraclius ; who, passing twice through Courdistan at 
the head of his army in their way to Tabreez, might not disdain 
such a stronghold as this for his own peculiar quarters. Here, 
again, are two arched rooms cut with equal nicety, and provided 
with the same circling recesses for lamps as described before. 
Through the second of these chambers we pass into a third, 
much more capacious than either; but part of the face of the 
rocky mountain having here broken off, and rolled down the 
precipice beneath, has laid one side of this cave almost entirely 
open to the day. 
In returning to the place of entrance where the inscription is 
seen, the way leads down into a spacious gallery formed by 
nature. The roof is very lofty. The sides, bold and prodigious, 
