The leader continually struck fire
with a flint, that the sparks might afford some slight indication of the
proper course. But this was not enough; and as the horses began to miss
their footing, the only hope of safety consisted in remaining immovable.
With the break of day, however, a gray light spread over the scene, and
the travellers found themselves surrounded by a circle of lofty
mountains, rising one above the other in magnificent gradation, and
superbly dominated by one mighty snow-crowned mass.
The journey was resumed. Soon the travellers became aware of the fact
that the path was sprinkled with spots of blood. At last they came to a
place which was crimsoned by a complete pool; and looking down into the
ravine, they could see two human bodies, one lying scarcely a hundred
feet below them, the other, which had rolled further, half hidden by a
projecting crag. From this scene of murder they gladly hastened.
* * * * *
At a town called Ravandus Madame Pfeiffer rested for some days, making
observations on the manners and customs of the Kurds. She was not
prepossessed in their favour by what she saw: the women are idle,
ignorant, and squalid; the men work as little and rob as much as they
can. Polygamy is practised; and religion is reduced to the performance
of a few formalities. The costume of the wealthier Kurds is purely
Oriental, that of the common people varies from it a little.
Pages:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81