第 9 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2022-04-14 11:08      字数:9322
  secure it to the sole exactly as the shoe of a horse is fitted to the
  hoof。 The nails are long and thin; and are riveted by turning the points
  round and hammering them like a coil upon the leather; the heads of
  these nails are nearly as large as a shilling; and the boots are
  exceedingly clumsy; but they increase the height of the wearer by a full
  inch。
  My amiable driver of the blue van; Georgi; accompanied me in my walk;
  and fired several useless shots at wild partridges。 We now arrived at
  the spot where the water is led by a subterranean aqueduct to Larnaca。
  This principle is so original; and has from such remote times been
  adopted in this arid island; that it merits a detailed description。 The
  ancient vestiges of similar works in every portion of Cyprus prove that
  in all ages the rainfall must have been uncertain; and that no important
  change has taken place in the meteorological condition of the country。
  In a search for water…springs the Cypriote is most intelligent; and the
  talent appears to be hereditary。 If a well is successful at an elevation
  that will enable the water to command lower levels at a distance; it may
  be easily understood that the supply of one well representing a unit
  must be limited。 The Cypriote well…sinker works upon a principle of
  simple multiplication。 If one well produces a certain flow; ten wells
  will multiply the volume; if connected by a subterranean tunnel; and
  provided the supply of water in the spring is unlimited。
  It appears that Cyprus exhibits an anomaly in the peculiarity of a small
  rainfall but great subterranean water…power; some stratum that is
  impervious retains the water at depths varying according to local
  conditions。 The well…sinker commences by boring; or rather digging; a
  circular hole two feet six inches in diameter。 The soil of Cyprus is so
  tenacious that the walls of the shaft require no artificial support;
  this much facilitates the work; and the labourer; armed with a very
  short…handled pick; patiently hacks his vertical way; and sends up the
  earth by means of a basket and rope; drawn by a primitive but effective
  windlass above; formed of a cradle of horizontal wooden bars。 The man in
  charge simply turns the windlass without a handle; by clutching each
  successive bar; which; acting as a revolving lever; winds up the rope
  with the weight attached。
  The rapidity of the well…sinking naturally depends upon the quality of
  the soil; if rock is to be cut through; it is worked with a mason's axe
  and the cold chisel。 Fortunately the geological formation is principally
  sedimentary limestone; which offers no great resistance。 At length the
  water is reached。 The well is now left open for a few days that an
  opinion may be formed of the power; if favourable; another precisely
  similar well is sunk at a distance of fifteen or sixteen yards in the
  direction towards the point required by the future aqueduct。 The spring
  being satisfactory; the work proceeds with vigour。 We will accept the
  first well as forty feet in depth; if the surface of the earth were an
  exact level; the next well would be an equal depth; but as the water
  retains its natural level; the vertical measurement of each shaft will
  depend upon the formation of the upper ground。 The object of the
  well…sinker is to create a chain of wells united by a subterranean
  tunnel; in order to multiply the power of a unit and to obtain the
  entire supply of water; he therefore sinks perhaps ten or twenty wells
  to the same level; and he cuts a narrow tunnel from one to the other;
  thus connecting his shafts at the water…line; so as to form a canal or
  aqueduct。 Precisely as the mole upheaves at certain intervals the earth
  that it has scraped from its gallery; the well…sinker clears his tunnel
  by sending up the contents through the vertical shafts fifteen yards
  apart; around the mouth of which a funnel…shaped mound is formed by the
  debris。
  These preliminary walls being completed and the water…volume tested; the
  neighbourhood is examined with the hope of discovering other springs
  that may upon the same principle be conducted towards the main line of
  the proposed aqueduct。 It is not uncommon to find several chains of
  wells converging from different localities to the desired water…head;
  and as these are at higher levels; a considerable hydraulic power is
  obtained; sufficient in many instances not only to fill the tunnels; but
  to force the water to a greater elevation if required。
  The water…head being thoroughly established; the sinking of a chain of
  wells proceeds; and the tunnels are arranged at a given inclination to
  conduct the water to the destined spot。 This may be many miles distant;
  necessitating many hundred wells; which may comprise great superficial
  changes; hills that are bored through necessitate deep shafts; and
  valleys must be spanned by aqueducts of masonry。 In this manner the
  water is conducted from the springs of Arpera near the spot where the
  river issues from the narrow valley among the hills; and supplies
  Larnaca; about eight miles distant from the first head。 The British
  authorities propose to substitute iron pipes for the present aqueduct;
  but it is to be hoped that the new scheme will be an independent and
  additional work; that will in no way interfere with the important gift
  of Cheflik Pacha; which has existed for nearly two centuries; and which;
  if kept in repair; will supply the necessary volume。
  CHAPTER III。
  ROUTE TO NICOSIA。
  Having proved that any further progress west was quite impracticable by
  vans; I returned to the new main road from Larnaca; and carefully
  avoiding it; we kept upon the natural surface by the side drain; and
  travelled towards Dali; the ancient Idalium。
  The thermometer at 8 A。M。 showed 37 degrees; and the wind was keen。 The
  road lay through a most desolate country of chalk hills completely
  barren; diversified occasionally by the ice…like crystals of gypsum
  cropping out in huge masses。 In one of the most dreary spots that can be
  imagined the eye was relieved by a little flat…topped hut on the right
  hand; which exhibited a sign; 〃The Dewdrop Inn。〃 The name was hardly
  appropriate; as the earth appeared as though neither dew nor rain had
  blessed the surface; but I believe that whisky was represented by the
  〃Dewdrop;〃 and that the word was intended to imply an invitation;
  〃Do…drop…in。〃 Of course we dropped in; being about an hour in advance of
  our vans; and I found the landlord most obliging; and a bottle of Bass's
  pale ale most refreshing in this horrible…looking desert of chalk and
  thistles that had become a quasi…British colony。 This unfortunate man
  and one or two partners were among those deluded victims who had
  sacrificed themselves to the impulse of our first occupation; upon the
  principle that 〃the early bird gets the worm。〃 Instead of getting on;
  the partners went off; and left the representative of the 〃Dewdrop〃 in a
  physical state of weakness from attacks of fever; and the good
  industrious man with little hope of a golden future。
  Passing on after a conversation with our landlord; which did not cheer
  me so much as the pale ale; we continued through the same desolate
  country for about two miles; and then turned off on the left hand
  towards Dali。 We passed through a narrow valley of several hundred acres
  planted in vineyards; and we counted four olive…trees; the first green
  objects or signs of trees that we had seen since Larnaca! We then
  continued through white barren hills for another two miles; and
  descended a steep hill; halting for the night upon hard flat gypsum rock
  opposite a village named 〃Lauranchina;〃 above the dry bed of a torrent;
  twelve miles from Larnaca。
  On the following morning; after a slight shower; we started for Dali。
  The narrow valleys were more or less cultivated with vines; and about
  three miles from the halting…place we entered the fertile plain of Dali。
  This is about six miles long; by one in width; highly cultivated; with
  the river flowing through the midst。 As far as we could see in a direct
  line groves of olives; vineyards; and ploughed land; diversified by
  villages; exhibited the power of water in converting sterility into
  wealth。
  I always make a rule that the halting…place shall be at a considerable
  distance from a village or town for sanitary reasons; as the environs
  are generally unclean。 All travellers are well aware that their servants
  and general entourage delight in towns or villages; as they discover
  friends; or make acquaintances; and relieve the tedium of the journey;
  therefore an antagonistic influence invariably exists upon the question
  of a camping…ground。 It is accordingly most difficult to believe the
  statements of your interpreter: he may have old friends in a town to
  which you believe him to be a stranger; he may have the remains of an
  old love; and a wish to meet again; or he may have a still more powerful
  attraction in the remembrance of an agreeable cafe where he can refresh
  himself with liquor; revel in cigarettes; and play at dominoes。 It is
  therefore necessary to be upon your guard when approaching a town; which
  should be looked upon as the enemy's camp。
  My amiable bullock…driver; the big Georgi; had