So we were not sorry when we crossed the river by a high-pitched bridge, where in days to come I was destined to behold one of the strangest sights ever seen by mortal man, and rode out into the country.

Here all was different, for we found ourselves among the husbandmen, who were the descendants of the original owners of the land and lived upon its produce.

Every available inch of soil seemed to be cultivated by the aid of a wonderful system of irrigation.

Indeed water was lifted to levels where it would not flow naturally, by means of wheels turned with mules, or even in some places carried up by the women, who bore poles on their shoulders to which were balanced buckets.
Leo asked the Khania what happened if there was a bad season.

She replied grimly that famine happened, in which thousands of people perished, and that after the famine came pestilence.