The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume X, No. 6 [‎91v] (35/186)

574
RECENT JOURNEYS IN PERSIA.
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that, before the acute stage was reached, I was asked to give a letter for
him to show in case of complaints. In it, I wrote that I expected to be
robbed, and only hoped that any future traveller would have him punished,
had he the chance. Before saying good-bye to our friend, who only
accompanied us for a couple of miles, I offered to give him a second
note. This he felt sure would not be as laudatory as he imagined the
first to be, so he said that the former one would suffice, and I am con
fident that he considers it to be couched in the most complimentary terms.
That night we were not asked into the village near which we halted ;
so, surmising from this pointed lack of hospitality that treachery was
intended, we kept watch. At about 2 a m. some six or seven Turkomans
sneaked quietly out with their rifles, and approached the tent. Finding,
however, that we were awake, they appeared to be surprised, and, after
talking together, went quietly back to bed.
As we were close to the country of the Goklans, I decided to change
my tactics, and on the following morning abused the Turkomans for
their violation of hospitality, and threatened them with the vengeance
of the Governor of Bujnurd, who was, I said, a great friend of the
British Government. I his bluff, which, I am sure, lost nothing when
interpreted into Turkish, had its effect, and our guides, finding the game
up, rode away, and, after firing a few shots at us from about half a mile
off, to which we made no reply, left us in peace.
I he Goklan lurkomans received us in quite a different manner, and
said that Huck Nafass, our mollah, was not only “ wanted ” by the Persian
Government for several acts of robbery, but that any Goklan would
shoot him on sight, had he an opportunity. I was consequently delighted
to feel that I had escaped from his clutches without harm, and can only
put it down to the fact that, although I was without an escort, he
imagined that I held some very strong cards up my sleeve. We were
soon joined by Mustapha Kuli, who had been Captain Napier’s guide in
1877, and it is, I think, thanks to him that I was so well treated.*
* Note on the Yomut and Goklan Turkomans.
(a) Jafar Bai. This tribe inhabits the district near the mouth of the Atrek, and,
as regards wealth, may be considered the most important division. They possess
fisheries, and also cultivate more extensively; in addition to this, they engage in
commerce.
The Jafar Bai have two divisions of Yarali and Norali, and number 2000 families
to the south of the Atrek, and 1000 families to the north. They are generally on bad
terms with the Ata Bai, their neighbours to the east.
(b) Ata Bar.—The Ata Bai include 2000 families to the south of the Atrek, and 1000
to the north. Although not as rich as the Jafar Bai, the Ata Bai have more power, as
many of the smaller divisions are under their protection.
There is a subdivision called Ak Ata Bai. Ak = white.
(c) Friendly to, or perhaps under the protection of, the Ata Bai are the following