Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 1.djvu/267

Rh formed in the deep coating of snow which covered the mountain, and so hardened by use that it seemed like a bed of ice, wound through the space between the bottom of the valley and the spot to which we had attained. Here the porters took off their burdens, tied them with a strong rope, and spread a felt upon the slippery road. Sitting down upon this with the rope held tightly in both hands, their knees bent, and their feet pressing upon the loads, it needed no impulse to set them a-going. No sooner had each seated himself than he slid down at a fearful rate, acquiring additional speed the farther he descended, and seeming ever and anon, as he was hurried down the zig-zag course, as if he would shoot out of the beaten track and be hurled into the deep ravines which bounded it on either side. The safe landing of my companions at the bottom of the valley hardly gave me confidence, and it was not without some secret misgivings that I sat me down to follow their example. Through some neglect I was not provided with a felt, and being unencumbered with baggage, my first essay had nearly proved fatal. Hardly had I seated myself than I slid off the pathway, and should inevitably have been buried in the ravine, had not one of the Coordish guards, who, at the time, was lying down in the snow, caught my foot and broken my fall. The second trial was more fortunate, but my readers may rest assured that I felt no little pleasure when I found myself walking on my feet not far from the village, although my hands were quite numb with the fruitless attempts which I had made to arrest my progress by grasping the loose snow. Such was our descent of the Râs Kadôma, and I sincerely advise any of my countrymen who may wish to visit the Tyari to choose a different season for the excursion.

On looking around I perceived that the valley threw off several lateral branches, on the sides of which the little town of Asheetha is built. The snow had been partially cleared off the ground, and flocks of sheep and a number of small black oxen were feeding upon thorns and dried shrubs which at this season are brought from the Berwari. Passing a stream over a rude bridge of planks we directed our steps to the Kalleita, or public room, where we were received and welcomed by Shammâsha (Deacon) Ishâk, Mar Shimoon's youngest brother, Kash'