'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎285] (394/496)

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phrases. The hero, be it recorded, is the “ cuismier, ,, who, unarmed,
saving his redoubtable spit, managed to keep the marauders at bay in
hopes that assistance would arrive, knowing that the rest of the cortege
could not be far behind. In this he succeeded, inasmuch as he saved
his own mule and the property he was charged with. The robbers,
fearing the proximity of assistance, were glad enough to decamp with the
abandoned mules and their loads, leaving the brave “ artiste” in posses
sion of the field. Seeking a secure retreat, he prudently remained until
the morning light pointed out the direction of our abode. This man is
a Mahomedan, and I have been thus tedious in describing the events that
occurred at Kamr-zard in order to shew the “ animus” that actuates the
different sects both in Persia and Turkey. The ascriber to the national
faith possesses at all times an inherent freedom, and comparative inde
pendence, which stimulate him to energy, and stamp on him a firmness of
character; while the contemned and despised Christian, outcast as he
is on his native soil, and in a measure unprotected by the Government,
has long since lost all confidence in his own powers of action, and aban
doned himself to the current that he could not stem. Patiently, and
with seeming meekness, he awaits the favoring eddy that ere long casts
him into the reflux of life waters, and thus stealthily creeps up to a pre
carious proximity with the overweening Mahomedan, and maintains his
position in the undefined society of which he is a member. To effect
this, however, he is compelled to resort to cringing and obsequiousness,
to cunning and deceit,—the degrading, yet predominant, attributes of an
oppressed people. This is, however, only applicable to the Christians of
the towns. The Nestorian tribes, and the Christians of the Lebanon, still
possess a character for independence and courage, and display it too,
when the tyrannical hand of their despotic masters obliges them to
resort to arms.
August 31s£.—Any further delay being deemed useless for the reco
very of the lost baggage, we left at IP25 A. M. Reached the summit
of the Kamr-zard range* at 12*5, and observed Kal’eh Kazi to bear from
it 254°. Parrow hill at the same time bisected 94°. Descended into
the plain of Kirmanshah, and kept in a direction of 112°, occasionally
along the base of Kamr-zard undulations. 1*30 P. M., halted in the
shade of some trees on the margin of a pretty lake, covered with the
* A low undulating range, bounding the plain of Kirmanshah to the west. Tho
small river Mirickh sweeps round the N. W. end of the ridge, and joins th©
Kara-Su.