_ 215 _ spire on the top, as is the custom of all the Moors who can afford it. We had very bad water, and at midnight we again took the road. Well on in the day we camped near a village, where we spent all of it the day. Here almost all the caravan fell ill because of the change of weather, for here at night it was very cold, and by day there was the usual heat. Everybody was bled here, and further on, which was worthwhile for them. On the Monday at eight o’clock in the morning we continued our way until nightfall, when we arrived at a small place called Sir Jao we had been travelling during these days to the west-north-west, among broad mountain ranges, situated to the west on flat land, with about fifty or sixty inhabitants. There was also a great number of houses in ruins, which made it clear that it had been a great and ancient settlement. It had been ruled by a powerful king, from whom Shah Ishmael captured it, and under his rule it went into decline and ruin. It is peopled by Persian Moors, fair-skinned and handsome men. At the entrance there is a covered bridge, and a mosque with very good water. From here run two great streets lined with tall pines, which give a very fine
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