第 41 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2022-04-14 11:08      字数:9322
  for this neglect; 〃The people have no money!〃
  We had ridden fast; and were far ahead of the baggage animals; we
  accordingly halted to lunch beneath a shady caroub…tree near the edge of
  the ravine; about fifty feet below。 A French game…bag; with net and
  numerous pockets; always contained our meals; which consisted of a cold
  fowl; some eggs boiled hard; and a loaf of native brown bread or
  biscuits。 This was luncheon and breakfast; as we never indulged in more
  than two meals a day; merely taking a cup of cafe au lait; or cocoa; in
  the early morning; and our lunch or breakfast at any hour that
  travelling made convenient。 This depended upon the attraction of some
  pretty spot or wide…spreading tree that suggested a halt。
  We now remounted and rode to Lapithus; a mile and a half distant; and;
  avoiding the town; selected a camping…place on the flat ground within
  300 yards of the sea。
  There was little difference between Lapithus and Karava。 A succession of
  mountain streams nourished the higher grounds; and having fertilised the
  gardens and plots of cereals; were subsequently led into the fields
  below。
  Lapithus has been celebrated from an ancient date in like manner with
  Kythrea; owing to the unfailing supply of water from its
  mountain…springs; and; under the Ptolemies; B。C。 295; it became one of
  the four provinces into which Cyprus was divided。 Lapithus; north;
  Amathus; south; Salamis; east; Paphos (now Baffo); west。
  On the following morning our muleteer Iiani; having indulged in
  cigarettes and sleep; was not ready to start at the proper hour; neither
  were the animals forth…coming。 We accordingly started on foot and
  threaded our way through paved lanes; which twisted and turned in
  various directions according to the positions of the houses and
  innumerable gardens。 The people were very civil; and directed us in the
  right direction; although evidently surprised at our journeying on foot;
  which is most unusual even among the poorer classes。 We walked for more
  than a mile through the town: the air was fresh and enjoyable; the
  thermometer was 53 degrees at 7 A。M。 Streams of clear water gushed
  through the lanes in many places; which had created the flourishing
  aspect around。 With such a picture of prosperity before us; due entirely
  to the presence of never…failing streams; it seemed incredible that the
  great central district of Messaria should be left to the chance of
  seasons when the means of artificial irrigation lie close beneath the
  surface。
  Upon quitting Lapithus the country on the west was almost devoid of
  trees; and we walked for four miles and a half before we could procure a
  shade。 At this distance we halted to await the mules beneath a clump of
  three caroub…trees close to the road side。 Beneath this group were
  several masses of rock which appeared to have rolled at some remote
  period from the mountain side; as blocks of all sizes strewed the ground
  in every direction。 I was at once struck with a beautiful block of dark
  green marble; and upon examining the neighbourhood I discovered many
  pieces of the same material; all of which had evidently fallen from the
  mountain's side; thus proving that the parent mass would be found in
  situ were the high cliffs investigated。 The mules arrived; and I
  directed attention of Iiani to the fact; in order that I might procure a
  specimen by sending him to the spot upon a future occasion。 We now
  entered upon groves of caroub…trees; and the ground was covered with
  blocks of limestone and of marbles。 As we proceeded the shore became
  exceedingly narrow; as the base of the steep mountain sprang from within
  a short distance of the sea。 The quantity and varieties of marbles
  increased; the dark green was present in large blocks; and several
  masses of bright rose…colour suggested that rare and valuable qualities
  might be profitably worked and exported; as great facilities existed in
  the presence of snug little coves within only a few yards; where in the
  summer months native vessels of twenty or thirty tons might anchor in
  security。
  The country now became exceedingly wild and rugged。 The sea was in many
  places exactly below us as we skirted the cliffs and occasionally
  crossed the beaches of narrow coves。 The high mountain upon our
  immediate left was the western terminus of the Carpas range; and
  exhibited peculiar geological features; eruptive rocks having burst in
  some places through the limestone and created great disturbance。 The
  route was exceedingly interesting and beautiful; rocks of every shade of
  colour were mingled with bright green foliage; the sea was an emerald
  green in the shallow coves; and dark blue within a few hundred paces of
  the shore; while a brisk breeze curled the waves and tipped their crests
  with a glistening white。 The path at length turned to the left and led
  through a gap that rounded the mountain base; and formed the extreme end
  of the Jurassic limestone; which only exists in Cyprus in the peculiar
  wall…like Carpasian range running from west to east upon the northern
  coast。
  We crossed a stream of water at the bottom of the gorge which winds
  through the narrow glen that terminates the range; and ascending upon
  the opposite side; we at once entered upon steep slopes composed of
  marls interspersed with an exceedingly bright rose…coloured marble in
  veins of about two feet thickness。 This would probably develop
  considerable blocks if quarried to a greater depth。
  Continuing for about two miles along the glen; which was cultivated with
  barley in all available localities; we several times crossed the stream
  in its winding course; and my dogs hunted the steep myrtle…covered banks
  in expectation of game; but nothing moved; and the croaking of numerous
  frogs was the only sign of life。 The glen now widened to a valley about
  a mile and three…quarters in diameter; surrounded upon all sides by
  heights; and we commenced one of the steepest ascents in Cyprus; up the
  face of the slope about 1000 feet above the bottom。 The zigzags were
  upon a surface of white marl; which during wet weather would become as
  slippery as soap; and be impassable for loaded animals。 Many times our
  mules were forced to halt and rest; but they were good and sure…footed
  beasts; that could always be depended upon。
  At length we gained the summit; which was a total change of scene。
  Instead of descending upon the other side; as I had expected; we had
  arrived at a plateau eight or nine miles in length from north to south;
  and an invisible distance from east to west。 The soil was a rich reddish
  chocolate; forming a grateful contrast to the glaring white marls that
  we had just quitted; and which composed the steep hills that surrounded
  the lower basin。 A growth of young pines and other evergreen shrubs
  ornamented the surface; and at about a quarter of a mile from the summit
  of the pass by which we had arrived we halted at a well of pure water
  among a small grove of olive…trees。 Although we were at least 1000 feet
  above the valley; the water was only ten feet from the coping…stone by
  measurement。 There could be little doubt that the perennial stream in
  the deep glen was the result of the drainage of this extensive
  table…land; corresponding with similar heights upon the other side。
  Having breakfasted by the well of deliciously cold water; we remounted;
  and continued our route along the extensive table…land。 This was
  cultivated in many places; but as we advanced for two or three miles the
  country became exceedingly wild; and we entered a wood of Pinus
  maritima; composed of young trees of several years' growth; and older
  stems that had been mutilated in the disgraceful manner that
  characterises all Cyprian forests。 There was not one perfect tree above
  eight years' growth; but every stem had been cut off about six feet from
  the top for the sake of the straight pole。 Trees of fifteen years or
  more had been mercilessly hacked for the small amount of turpentine that
  such trunks would produce; and the bark had been ripped off for tanning。
  Great quantities of mastic bushes covered the surface between the pines;
  and even these exhibited the continual attacks of the woodcutter's
  grubbing…axe; which had torn up the roots; in addition to the stems; for
  the requirements of the lime…burner。 The red soil is so propitious to
  the growth of pines that; in spite of the unremitting destruction; the
  ground was covered with young plants; self…sown from the fallen cones。
  If these young forests were protected for twelve or fourteen years; the
  surface would again be restored to the original woodland that once
  ornamented this portion of the island。 Under the present conditions of
  Cyprus all wholesome laws and enactments are practically ridiculed by
  the inhabitants; as there are no foresters or keepers to enforce the
  orders of the government。 A governor may sit upon the top of Olympus and
  issue wise decrees like Jupiter; but unfortunately he does not possess
  the thunderbolts; as the country is so poor that it cannot afford to pay
  the salaries necessary for the support of foresters and the officers
  required for this special department。 I myself met droves of donkeys and
  mules loaded with wood and accompanied by their owne