. Across Asia Minor on foot . olished, and so, itis said, is the interior of the tomb, and from thesepolished surfaces comes the name. One would suppose tliat around a monument likethis, and the similar Tombs of the Kings, overlook-ing Amasia, traditions of some sort would there are none. What you do hear are merelyechoes of European theories coupled with tales oftreasure. These monuments are known to have ex-isted in the time of Strabo; but by whom hewn andwhat sovereigns ever filled them, even the approxi-mate date of execution—all are matters of unfetteredconjecture. Too many flo
. Across Asia Minor on foot . olished, and so, itis said, is the interior of the tomb, and from thesepolished surfaces comes the name. One would suppose tliat around a monument likethis, and the similar Tombs of the Kings, overlook-ing Amasia, traditions of some sort would there are none. What you do hear are merelyechoes of European theories coupled with tales oftreasure. These monuments are known to have ex-isted in the time of Strabo; but by whom hewn andwhat sovereigns ever filled them, even the approxi-mate date of execution—all are matters of unfetteredconjecture. Too many floods of conquering peoplehave passed over the country for any authentictraditions to remain. To the present population eachsuch monument, great or small, is simply shey—a thing. The front of the Mirror Tomb was shaded bywalnut-trees, making a grateful shelter as I sat onthe steps and looked across the river and gardens tothe opposite rocks. The only sound was the tickingof a solitary water-wheel, except when herds of black. The Minor Tomb, Amasia Gorge. LAND OF THE AMAZONS 87 and white goats were filing along the narrow most animals in this land they wore bells; buttheirs were smaller than an egg, and so thin andsharp of note that when many were heard sounding-together in the distance they made no more than arustling like the wind among aspens. Several flockspassed, each with goatherd and dog, and disappearedround the rocks lower down. They followed a pathof more than ordinary interest, leading to a wild,romantic country which has figured in legend. Onedays march down this gorge of the Yeshil Irmak,or Iris, is reached the valley of the Lycus, where,above the meeting of these two rivers, stand themountains of Amazonia. We speak of fabledAmazons, and are probably as far from the truthin believing them altogether unreal as if we tookthe old stories at their legendary value. If alllegends are facts more or less embellished, thislegend should be counted among the least
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