_ 334 _ This is because it had two thick gold rings placed and nailed on an arch along the underside, where the force of the water passes; a rich Moor who had it built had them [placed there], saying that if in time it was broken or ruined, with them it would be repaired again. A herdsman who went about those plains grazing his animals, who wished to change his situation, rest from the life he led which many rich men envy and try one of treacherous wealth, spent a long time throwing stones at the one of these rings which was nearer the ground; and with this persistence, in the course of time, made it fall into the middle of the torrent. He wanted to remove it from under the water, but could not, because the water was high and the current strong, and he was carried away downstream and drowned. The other ring is still on the other side of the arch, as no one has wished to make himself rich with it since. This stream is larger and the main headwater of the River Tigris. In the winter it swells like a great river, and it flows on to the city of Assinquif, where it joins the other part which comes from Betliz, as already mentioned. This bridge is the mark and division of Upper Armenia, which reaches as far as here, and Lower [Armenia], which begins from here. Having crossed it, about a league farther on we put up in
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