按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
belongs to him or to another proprietor。 The ground sloped gradually to
the lowest level of the hollow about four hundred yards distant； all of
which was in cultivation； the broad…beans were in blossom； and a species
of trefoil was already eight or nine inches high （22nd February）； this
was in anticipation of a lack of natural pasturage。
It was pitiable to see the wretched condition of the cattle throughout
this district； the absence of rain had prevented the growth of the usual
herbaceous plants； and the animals were forced to seek unnatural food
produced in the stagnant swamps； these were full of skeletons and
carcasses of oxen； that afforded bones of contention for the numerous
village dogs who acted as scavengers。 When the droves of oxen returned
from pasture every evening； many were in a state of weakness that
scarcely allowed them step by step to ascend the rising ground； all were
reduced to mere skin and bones； and it would have been a mercy to have
put them out of their misery。 I was assured that； 〃the few whose
constitution could hold out for another six weeks would recover when the
trefoil should be fit to cut。〃
I daily walked over the adjoining country； and there was little
difficulty in discovering the origin of M。 Mattei's water sources。 Upon
the heights behind our camp； a plateau of many miles in extent； with an
almost imperceptible inclination towards the south…east； received the
rainfall； in addition to the subterranean drainage of the hills in the
far distance。 A great portion of this area was uncultivated； as the
sedimentary limestone was generally close to the surface； this was
covered with the usual prickly shrubs that some writers have misnamed
〃heath；〃 together with the highly aromatic herbs that seem to delight in
a thirsty soil； among these is a thorny species of wild thyme； that is a
favourite food for hares。 In some places the soil was red； forming a
strong contrast to the white surface around； and in such spots the earth
had been already ploughed in preparation for the forthcoming season。 The
large area at a higher altitude formed an example of a principle that
may be accepted as the rule throughout the island。 In walking over this
extensive surface； there was occasionally a hollow； drum…like sound
beneath the feet； denoting subterranean cavities in the porous and
soluble strata beneath the harder upper stratum。 It was a natural
consequence that a substratum impervious to water should form a bed at a
certain level to retain the drainage： by tapping this bed at any point；
the water would be discovered； but by piercing the surface below this
level； the hydraulic pressure would force the water into a running
stream。
This M。 Mattei has accomplished； not as a new invention； but as the
application of a rule well known to the Cypriotes from ancient times；
and I repeat my argument； that； 〃the hereditary ability of these people
in discovering and utilising springs is a proof that a scarcity of water
has been a chronic difficulty in this island from remote periods； and
that no important change has been occasioned by the sensational
destruction of forests influencing the rainfall；〃 &c。； &c。； &c。 In my
opinion； the whole of the now desolate Messaria district may be rendered
fruitful and permanently abundant by the scientific employment of a
water…power which already exists； although unseen and undeveloped。
It was quite impossible to proceed to Famagousta with the vans； and
there was no object in courting their destruction by a desperate advance
at all hazards； as we should have in any case been obliged eventually to
renew the difficulty when retracing our route。 I therefore cantered in
upon my mule； with the guide who always lost his way； Hadji Christo。
This man was a great ruffian； and had laws existed for the prevention of
cruelty to animals； I would have prosecuted him； nominally he had the
charge of the mule and two ponies； but he illtreated these poor animals；
and the donkeys also； in a disgraceful manner。 However； I had no other
guide； and although I knew him to be in partnership with some
Will…o'…the…wisp； I was obliged to follow him。 It was an easy course for
saddle…animals； as the cathedral of Famagousta formed the prominent
point； therefore a steeple…chase might have been the direct
cross…country way。 There was no change in the usual features of the
barren landscape。 We kept upon the high ground on the right； looking
down upon the dreary flat for twenty miles to our left。 Occasionally we
passed villages； all of which were mere copies of each other in filth
and squalor。 The dogs barked and snapped ineffectually at our heels as
we cantered through； the civil and ever…courteous people turned out and
salaamed； and we quickly accomplished the twelve miles and approached
the walls of Famagousta。 Nothing that I saw in Cyprus has impressed me
so much as the site of this powerful fortress and once important city。 I
lunched with Captain Inglis； who as chief commissioner of the district；
most kindly received me； and I rode home afterwards； my guide； Hadji
Christo； in spite of my assurances that he had mistaken the route；
persisted that there were many； and not one； and after plunging into
muddy marshes instead of keeping to the high ground； we were completely
lost near sundown； when I happily extricated myself from the difficulty
by insisting upon his riding behind and leaving me alone to find the
track。 We arrived at nightfall； after making eighteen miles out of
twelvea profitable enterprise hardly appreciated by our tired animals。
Famagousta is too important for a cursory description； I shall therefore
reserve it for a future chapter； when on our return from the Carpas
district we pass some days in its immediate neighbourhood。
CHAPTER V。
START FOR THE CARPAS。
I determined to leave my two vans in charge of the head…man of Kuklia；
as the drivers declared it would be impossible to proceed into the
roadless Carpas with any wheeled conveyance heavier than the native
two…wheeled cart。 They had accordingly entered into a contract to supply
me with vehicles which the man of ability Theodori assured me could
travel to the extreme eastern limit of the island； Cape St。 Andrea； 〃as
he had been there himself； and knew the way。〃 Georgi； who knew nothing
of this portion of the country； believed all that Theodori said； and did
his bidding。 Having lightened the loads by leaving all that was not
absolutely necessary safely locked within the vans； we started on 1st
March with camels； in addition to two native carts； taking the route
direct east； across the extensive flat which at this time was dry and
hard。 There was nothing of interest in the day's march； the travelling
was easy along the hardened level surface； we had a clear view of the
cathedral and higher forts of Famagousta； and we passed near the ruins
of Salamis； easily distinguishing the solitary pillars that had
supported the ancient aqueduct which led the water from distant Kythrea。
Although everything was thoroughly dried up； it was easy to imagine the
effect of an inundation of the Pedias river； which had formed this delta
of alluvium； precisely as