healthfully situated, and, moreover, abundantly supplied with
mineral water. Many strangers resort thither to recruit their
weakened frames.

The finest among these baths is called Jeni Caplidche. A lofty
circular hall contains a great swimming bath of marble, above which
rises a splendid cupola. A number of refracting glasses (six
hundred, they told me) diffuse a magic light around.

Our journey back to Constantinople was not accomplished entirely
without mishap. One of the gentlemen fell from his horse and broke
his watch. The saddles and bridles of hired horses are here
generally in such bad condition that there is every moment something
to buckle or to cobble up. We were riding at a pretty round pace,
when suddenly the girths burst, and the saddle and rider tumbled off
together. I arrived without accident at my destination, although I
had frequently been in danger of falling from my horse without its
being necessary that the girth should break.

The gentlemen were satisfied with my performance, for I had never
lagged behind, nor had they once been detained on my account. It
was not until we were safely on board the ship that I told them how
venturesome I had been, and what terror I had undergone.




CHAPTER V.