ved to be strongly built roofless places, evidently of vast
antiquity, and everywhere suggesting that the people who had dwelt in
them had been those who lived in very troublous times, when one of the
first things to think about in a home was safety, for enemies must have
abounded on every side.

For about a couple of hours the professor examined, and climbed, and
turned over stones, finding here and there rough fragments of pottery,
while Mr Burne settled himself down in a shady corner and had a nap.

Yussuf was indefatigable, moving fragments of rock and trying to
contrive ways off the giddy slope to another group of the strange old
edifices, to which in due time, and not without some risk, the professor
and Lawrence climbed. But there was nothing more to reward them than
they had found below, only that the wisdom of the choice of the old
occupants was evident, for just as the professor had come to the
conclusion that the people who made these their strongholds must have
been at the mercy of the enemies who seized upon the spring down below
in the ravine, they came upon proof that there was plenty of foresight
exercised, and that these ancient inhabitants had arranged so as not to
be forced to surrender from thirst.

It was Lawrence who made the discovery, for having climbed a little
higher up the cliff face to a fresh ledge, he called to the professor to
follow, and upon his reaching the spot, a great niche right in the
cliff, deep and completely hidden, there were the remains of a
roughly-made tank or reservoir, formed by simply building a low wall of
stones and cement across the mouth, when it was evident that the water
that came down from above in rainy weather would be caught and preserved
for use.

It was all intensely interesting to everyone but Mr Burne, who could
not get up any enthusiasm on the subject of whom these people were, and
excused himself from climbing higher on account of his back.

They descended at length, and Mr Burne sighed with satisfaction; but
Yussuf had more wonders of the past to show the travellers, pointing out
a narrow path that ran diagonally up the side of the gully, and assuring
the party that if they only made up their minds to ascend bravely there
was no danger.

Again it was suggested that Mr Burne should sit down and wait; but the
only effect of this was to make him obstinate; and he started forward
and followed Yussuf up the steep path.

It was decidedly dangerous in p