'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎81] (214/458)

MEMOIR ON THE « TIGRIS.”
great river, %
•ited this and niiij
using universal l
les it the Kabii
singular posltii
iding iffimett|
jrt, shows tliatli
we can see its«
nd about the a
) roceeding onfI
i we crossed tie t
beyond, the to
, the West oil
hatayfc bed-on i
81
formation of the new course of the Tigris, in all probability-^derived its
origin as a stream, only to be closed again when the large body of water
in the Tigris had worked a depth of bed sufficient to contain it. At times
even now, during high rises, the Tigris finds its way into this channel,
and in such cases commits great havoc in the vicinity of the Dijeil, for
many broad water-^courses in the neighbourhood bespeak the nature
of the ravages, and the people also confirm it.
We had been guided to our present position by the flags of the
“Nitocris,” which were distinctly seen from near Sumeyeheh, but were
again lost sight of a little to the North of Al-Hyr, from the depression in
the country, which I now think corresponds with the ancient
debouchure of the Atheim River with the old bed of the Tigris,
We were sunk in this depression when we came suddenly upon
a caravan of pilgrims that had, an hour or two before, crossed the Tigris
on their way from Samara to Baghdad. To pursue this route at all,
they had to be well armed. Even as it was, it was evident they marched
in continued fear from the alarm evinced at the rencontre, and our
Arabs, seeing a party of Persians, were proposing a sham attack to enjoy
the flight, which they felt assured would ensue on the charge
being made, I would not, however, permit it, for the foremost of these
way-farers were women and children—slung, on either side of their
mules, in the peculiar cradle-like boxes called kajavehs in the country,
the men bringing up the rear. When we approached, however, they
rode to the front, and gallantly formed line on the flank nearest our
party-^each man, seated on his beast, bringing his weapon to the charge,
ready to “ present’’ in the event of hostile menaces on our part, and
it was as well, therefore, that our advance was made in a peaceful
attitude. It was apparent at once that these Persians were trained
inen, for finding a European at the head of the suspicious strangers,
their confidence was restored, and lowering their pieces, we passed
under a salute given in military style with the hand : a few minutes
afterwards we exchanged similar salutations with a body of Persian
gentlemen, the chief of whom was, I heard, a military Shahzadeh, or
prince of the blood-royal of Persia, who with his relations and family
were proceeding on a devotional tour to the various shrines of the
martyred Imdms of his faith in the country. It is strong parties such
as this only that can take advantage of this short route between
■L. -'JPM