Page:Kennedy, Robert John - A Journey in Khorassan (1890).djvu/110

 volcanic water, in which several mule-drivers were indulging up to their necks in a luxurious bath. At four miles we passed an enormous bas-relief, carved in the face of the cliffs, representing the Shah on horseback, with ten of his ministers in full uniform, standing five on each side of his Imperial Majesty. The likenesses were good, and the work was remarkably well executed. It was done in commemoration of a journey made along this route some years ago by the Shah. At that time the track had fallen into such complete disrepair that this pass had become almost impracticable. Thanks, however, to the Shah, it has now been put into tolerable order, and although it is not a route feasible for delicate or nervous travellers, it is made frequent use of by caravans trading between the ports of Gez and Meshed-i-Sar and the capital, Tehran.

Raineh, which is a large and prosperous village, is situated on the high left bank of the river Haraz, and nestles under the shoulder of lofty mount Demavend. It is surrounded with high crags and yawning precipices, frequented by innumerable golden-headed eagles, and