A FORTRESS ROCK IN THE LAKE. 
595 
of two caverns. Their natural very wide entrances, had been 
narrowed by strong walls of stone masonry, for the apparent 
purpose of additionally supporting the cliff immediately over 
them, surmounted as it was again, by the heavy structure of 
the fortress. But within, we found that the wall had a second 
object: to preserve in the deep and cool reservoirs of these 
caverns, a beautifully pure water that constantly trickles into 
them through the solid rock above. We saw it accumulated 
here, in the form of little subterraneous pools; a sort of fairy 
lakes, most deliciously refreshing after a scorching ramble, 
and we did not fail to taste. It is perfectly fresh, and clear as 
crystal; something surprising, when recollected that it springs 
through a rock encircled by the saltest water in the world. 
Several large fig-trees grew on the narrow shelf that led into 
these cool retreats, shading the rugged entrances, and mingling 
their ample leaves with the grey and broken fragments of the 
wall. This particular feature in the scene was wild and ro¬ 
mantic ; but the whole was raised into sublimity by the awful 
and dizzy height, whence they waved their green boughs, and 
where we stood, viewing the azure surface of the Ouroomia 
deep at our feet; while the hollow roarings of its waters, dash¬ 
ing into the caverns they had worn through the rock at its base, 
rather increased the nervous giddiness with which we looked 
down a precipice of 800 feet, from a ledge scarcely six in width; 
and with the towering mass above, we so lately had the temerity 
to descend. These caves have long been the occasional resort 
of dervises; and a small sanctuary is shewn, half excavation, and 
the rest completed with rude stone-work, said to cover the 
remains of some unknown saint, to whom frequent prayers and 
pilgrimages are made. Near to it the print of Mahomed’s foot 
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