Page:From Constantinople to the home of Omar Khayyam.djvu/73

 lacking later in reports of assassinations of public officials in broad daylight in the city streets. All was quiet when we were there, and there was no interference with the extensive business interests of the place.

Those who are acquainted with commerce will recall the ac- tive export trade which Batum does in petroleum, as its direct connection with Baku via Tiflis, not only by rail but by six hundred miles of pipe line, makes it the Western headquarters for the shipment of oil from the naphtha wells on the Caspian. Nor is this all, for a lively traffic is carried on in the exportation of timber, hides, honey, and wax, not to enumerate a list of ordinary products in which the merchants do business. The mineral resources found in the neighboring mountains and in the ore- beds of the Caucasus have attracted both European and Ameri- can capital, and the investments promise to pay an ever increas- ing return for the venture. So much for the general aspects of this commercial town.

From the historic side we were interested, in the environs, in the ruins of a castle of Queen Tamar, or Tamara, who ruled the Georgians in the twelfth century of our era. To her are ascribed the remains of numerous edifices and works of public benefit in the Caucasus, though all now lie in ruins. The fortress, at present sadly dilapidated, is located on an elevation about a half hour's drive outside of Batum. The low-lying stretch of road along the seashore, with marshlands on the other side, was naturally damp enough in the moist climate that pre- vails ; but this particular afternoon the condition of the heavy atmosphere made the thick air still more foggy, so that it was impossible to have a clear glimpse of the ruined walls, especially for photographing. Yet, on ascending the mound, we could get a good idea of the stronghold and its barriers from the tumbled masses of debris. The commanding character of the height was made more strong by the swift stream that swept in its rear and turned with hurrying course into the sea. I pic- tured the defence which this citadel keep could set up for the

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