Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt ...

328
TRAVELS IN ASIATIC TURKEY,
sible the approach to any village, the disposition of the inhabitants
of which had not been well ascertained.
We set out at four in the morning of the 29th, and passed
through a very fine and rich country, abounding in pasture grounds,
on which numerous flocks and herds were grazing. We saw an
abundance of poultry, several waggons laden with which we met
on the road. Our journey was infinitely agreeable over fertile and
richly cultivated plains, resembling those of the most productive
parts of England. At half past eight o'clock we halted for two
hours. Wc fell in with several caravans, or large companies of
travellers, on our route, this being, from motives of security, the
custom of travelling in this country. The inhabitants, when
abroad, are" constantly armed. The progress we made was at the
rate of about three miles and a half in the hour ; and at half past one
o'clock we arrived at Yenipazzar, inhabited principally by Turks,
with an inconsiderable number of Greeks. The houses are con-
structed of laths and plaster, with tiled roofs ; but the poorer class
of inhabitants dwell in caves, over which a thatched roof is thrown.
The town is surrounded bv a mud wall, and a dry ditch, with a
gate at each extremity. We made a short stay there ; and having
afterwards proceeded to the distance of six miles, passed through a
village called Oukboudan, composed of wretched thatched huts.
At six in the evening we halted at another poor viliage, called
Tekerkcx, where we passed the night.
On the 30th we set out at four in the morning, and at the end
of two hours came to the village of SJiemlah, where we made a
halt. At half past ten we reached another village, delightfully si-
tuated at the side of a fine wood of oak-trees. The surrounding-
scenery was beautiful and romantic. At half past six in the evening
we reached the vicinity of Rasgat, a large town, which con-
tains several mosques, and there reposed ourselves for the night.
We set out at the accustomed early hour, on the 31st, and in a
little time reached the above place, where we spent two hours in a
han, or kann, destined, as I have already explained, for the accommodation
of travellers and their beasts, as well as for the reception
of the merchandize they carry with them. The town of Rusgat
has two gates, and is surrounded by palisadoes and inud walls. The
inhabitants are a mixture of Greeks and Turks. Having proceed-
ed on our route, we halted for two hours in the middle of the day,
and at seven in the evening took up, as usual, our quarters for the
i^ight in our arabars. As soon as we had halted, a part o( the ca-