'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎316] (347/582)

316
FROM SHIRAZ
We remounted at the stream, ascended the hill, passed safely
by this supposed haunt of devils, and got at length into the high
road, along which we continued our way westerly, inclining often
a point or two to the north. The ground over which we went
was in general uneven, but the road good, and the country,
though uncultivated, of a more agreeable aspect than the bare
lands of Irak, as verdure and bushes were now every where seen.
Soon after noon we arrived at a flat valley, with abundance of
wood, and a transparent stream winding through it, over a white
pebbly bed, from the north-westward. There was here an abun
dance of cattle feeding on rich grass near the banks, and flocks of
water-fowl along the river's edge. The herds were carefully
watched by shepherds during the day, and were all driven into
shelter before sunset, as lions were known to have their dens in
the neighbourhood, and to prowl here at night, to the terror both
of caravans and single passengers.
It was in this valley that we found the first caravansera, with a
few huts attached to it, called Khoneh Zemoon, and esteemed to
be seven fursucks from Shiraz. As our horses were fresh, we did
not halt here, but pursued our way to the westward, over a coun
try similar to that already described. In about two hours we came
again to a winding stream, with trees of exactly the same descrip
tion as those found at the place we had just passed; and here we
were cautioned to be particularly on our guard, more especially as
night was advancing.
From hence we ascended a steep hill, called Kotel Oosoon-
e-Siffeed, or the white-bosomed hill, well wooded throughout, of
lime rock in its composition, and presenting us with some interest
ing views in our ascent. On gaining the summit, we had before
us, on the western side, the fine plain of Dusht-urgeon, so called
from a particular tree of the latter name being common near it.
The large village of the same name appeared seated immedi
ately beneath the cliff of the north-western hills ; and just before
sunset we entered it. Although this was the second halt of the