'Through Persia on a side-saddle' [‎128] (159/360)

CHAPTER X
our stay in the hills
B y the end of May the heat and insects were sufficiently
unpleasant, but both became quite intolerable during June ;
and a temperature of 90° in the house, hot, airless nights,
and the worry of legions of flies, made us begin to think
seriously of seeking cooler quarters.
However, it was no light undertaking to leave our home,
as, owing to the total absence of locks on any of the doors,
and a want of confidence in the honesty of the ferashes^
who were left in charge of our premises, we were compelled
to dismantle the entire house. There were boxes of stores
to be packed, camp equipment to be examined, and the
usual difficulty about transport presented itself, while
the helplessness of our Persian servants made personal
supervision of every detail indispensable. To add to my
worries, Baji pestered me at frequent intervals for advice
as to the toilettes she should take with her, and I do not
know how we should have been able to make a start if it
had not been for the unfailing energy and activity of my
willing ally the syce.
We were awakened on the day of our departure at an
early hour by our servants, who presented a somewhat
curious appearance. The ordinary felt skull-caps and