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moved a considerable number of partridges during this morning's march；
and they heard the peculiar loud 〃chuck…a…chuck； chuck…a…chuck；〃 of the
red…legs in all directions。 As we advanced the hills increased in
height； and we passed through a valley； bordered on the right by abrupt
cliffs； forming a wall…like summit to the exceedingly steep slope
beneath； which had been created by the debris from the wasting face of
rock。 This flat…topped height may have been about 500 feet above the
valley； and the white cliff； which was quite perpendicular from the
summit for about one hundred feet to the commencement of the steep green
slope beneath； was in one place artificially scarped； and had been cut
perfectly smooth like the wall of a stone building。 In the centre of
this smooth face we could plainly distinguish a square…cut entrance； to
which an exceedingly narrow ledge cut in the rock formed a most
dangerous approach； more adapted for wild cats than for human occupants。
I halted to examine this with a good glass； and I could perceive that
the greatest care had been taken in the formation of a smooth
perpendicular front； and that the narrow ledge which formed the approach
was a natural feature that had been artificially improved。 There were
several similar lines observable at unequal distances nearly parallel
with each other： these were the natural limits of overlying strata in
the sedimentary rock； which； as the general surface had fallen through
decay； still preserved their character； and formed ledges。 My guide
assured us that the entire cliff was honey…combed by internal
galleries； which had been constructed by the ancients as a place of
refuge that would contain several thousand persons； and that a well
existed in the interior； which from a great depth supplied the water。 I
have never seen a notice of this work in any book upon Cyprus； and I
regret that I had no opportunity of making a close examination of the
artificial cave； which； from the accounts I received； remains in a
perfect state to the present moment。
It was a wild route to Gallibornu； through a succession of small valleys
separated by wooded heights； and bounded by hills； either bare in white
cliffs； or with steep slopes thickly covered with evergreens。 We passed
a few miserable villages； one of which was solely inhabited by gipsies；
who came out to meet us clad in rags and extremely filthy； but the faces
of the women were good…looking。 We crossed numerous watercourses in the
narrow bottoms between the hills； their steep banks were fringed with
bushes which formed likely spots for woodcocks； but my dogs found
nothing upon the route except a few partridges and francolin； although；
as usual； they hunted throughout the march。 After crossing a series of
steep hills； and observing a marked contrast in the habits of the
people； who constructed their dwellings upon the heights instead of in
the unhealthy glens； we arrived in the closely pent…in valley that forms
the approach to Gallibornu。 This village is of considerable extent； and
is inhabited exclusively by Turks。 We entered the valley through a
narrow gap between the hills； which on our left formed perpendicular
cliffs； with the usual steep slopes of debris near the base。 The upper
cliffs； about 400 feet above the lower level； were marked with numerous
parallel ledges and were full of blue…rock pigeons； which built their
nests in the clefts and crevices； the summits of these heights were the
table…tops which characterise this formation。
It was difficult to select a camping…place； as the valley would become
mud in the event of heavy rains。 We had experienced daily showers since
we left Volokalida； and the lower grounds were damp； I disliked the
immediate neighbourhood of a village； and the only available spot was
rather dangerous； as it was situated upon a flattish knoll； so near the
base of the cliff that enormous blocks of stone many tons in weight lay
in all directions； which had fallen from the impending heights。 I
examined these； and found some that were comparatively recent； I had
also observed upon our entrance to the valley that a great portion of
the cliff face had lately fallen； forming an avalanche of rocks that
would have destroyed a village： this my guide informed me was the result
of last year's excessive rain。 I examined the heights above us with my
glass； and observed some crags that Polyphemus would have delighted to
hurl upon Acis when courting his Galatea； but as no Cyclops existed in
this classical island I determined to risk the chances of a
rock…displacement and to pitch the tent upon a flat surface among the
fallen blocks。 As a rule such localities should be avoided。 It is
impossible to calculate the probable downfall of a crag； which； having
formed a portion of the cliff； has been undermined by the breaking away
of lower rocks； and； overhanging the perpendicular； may be secure during
dry weather； but may become dislodged in heavy rain； when the
cement…like surroundings are dissolved： the serious vibration caused by
thunder might in such conditions produce an avalanche。 We dug a deep
trench round the tents； as the weather looked overcast and stormy。
The village of Gallibornu was about half a mile beyond our camp at the
extreme end of the valley； but situated on the heights。 The people were
extremely civil； and it would be difficult to determine the maximum
degree of courtesy between the Turks and Greeks of Cyprus。 I strolled
with my dogs up the steep hill…sides； and the Turks； seeing that I was
fond of shooting； promised to accompany me on the following morning to
some happy hunting…ground； which； from my Cyprian experience； I believed
was mythical。
On waking the next day I found the Turks； true to their promise； already
assembled by the servants' tent； and eight men were awaiting me with
their guns。 They had a sporting dog to assist them； which they described
as 〃very useful for following a wounded hare； only it was necessary to
be quick in securing it； otherwise the dog would eat it before your
arrival。〃
I advised them to leave this 〃useful dog〃 behind； as hostilities might
be declared by my three English spaniels in the event of his swallowing
a wounded hare。 This being agreed to； we all started； and； crossing the
valley； entered a gorge upon the other side。 We now ascended naked hills
of pure crystallised gypsum； the strata were vertical； and the perfectly
transparent laminae were packed together like small sheets of glass only
a few inches in width。 It was easy to walk up the steep slopes of this
material without slipping； as the exterior edges； having been exposed to
the weather； had become rough； and were exactly like coarse glass placed
edgeways。 We spread out into a line of skirmishers extending up the
hills upon both sides of the gorge； and quickly arrived in very likely
ground covered with dwarf…cypress。 Here the dogs immediately flushed
partridges； and a Turk having wounded one； a considerable delay took
place in searching for it at the bottom of a deep wooded hollow； but to
no purpose。 We now arrived at lovely ground within a mile of the sea；
forming a long succession of undulations； covered； more or less； with
the usual evergreen brushwood as far as the eye could reach。 This uneven
surface； broken by many watercourses； was about eighty feet above the
water…level； and descended in steep rocky ledges to within a few hundred
yards of the sea； where the lower ground was flat and alternated in open
glades and thick masses of mastic scrub； the beach being edged by drift
sand…dunes covered by the dense jungle of various matted bushes。
There was a fair amount of game in this locality； and had the Turks shot
well we should have made a tolerable bag； but they did not keep a good
line； and many birds went back without being shot at； while others were
missed； and altogether the shooting was extremely wild。 The sun was hot
by the time we had concluded our beat； I had shot five brace and one
hare； including some francolins； and the rest of the party had
collectively bagged three brace。 It was late in the season for shooting；
but the birds were not all paired； and I have no doubt that in the month
of September this portion of the island would afford fair sport；
although no great bags could be expected。 I was surprised at the absence
of woodcocks； throughout my rambles in Cyprus I had only seen one；
although they were cheap in the market of Larnaca。 The fact is that
every bird shot by the natives is sent straight for sale； therefore an
immense area is hunted for the small supply required by the Europeans in
the principal towns。 Upon our return homewards we passed through a
considerable space occupied by ancient ruins。 Among the masses of stones
and broken pottery were two stone sarcophagi； which appeared to have
been converted into drinking…troughs for cattle。 As with all the ruins
of Cyprus； nothing of interest exists upon the surface； and the tombs
having been for many centuries excavated and despoiled； it is probable
that the sarcophagi had been brought to light by treasure…seekers many
years ago。
As we approached Gallibornu by a mountain path the Turks assured me th