'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎11] (32/450)

CH. XII.] THE ALTOON SOO.
11
We descended to the river* over immense beds of
pebbles, the bed and rocks of the river being con
cretions of pebbles also. The town is not seen till
you descend upon it. On the south bank a large
party of horse-artillery and bombardiers were en
camped, who were just arrived from Constantinople
for the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Bagdad's service. There were four
troops; one company of bombardiers, fifteen pieces
of artillery, five hundred camel-loads of stores. We
passed over the very sharp high bridge which has
been lately repaired, and then through the town and
over the other bridge, and encamped on the flat
space near the north-west or right quarter.
The Tigris is eighteen hours' travelling from
Altoon Kiupri, and when the river is very full a
kellek or raft will go in a day, but at this season of
the ^year it takes three days. The artillery above-
mentioned forded it, and found not more than three
or four feet water along a bank which sloped across
the stream f. Keuy Sanjiak, which lies N. 35 E.,
is twelve hours' fast walk of a horse from hence, and
eighteen caravan hours. There are two roads, one
of which lies along the right bank of the river,
which it quits about six hours from Keuy Sanjiak.
It is broken and hilly all the way, but there is no
mountain to pass.
* The Altoon Soo, or the Caprus of antiquity ; called the
Lesser Zab by Abulfeda.
t They also forded the Zab.