"عبر بلاد فارس على سرج ركوب جانبي" [‎٢‎١‎٩] (٣٦٠/٢٥٤)

TO KUHAK AND THE FRONTIER COMMISSION 219
Baluchistan, and the Farman Farma had strongly ob
jected to my accompanying my brother on this journey,
affirming that even if I survived the sun, I should re
appear in civilised life with my skin burnt to the colour
of that of a negress!
The first place at which we halted after leaving Faraj
was Aptar. There was nothing specially remarkable
about its date-groves, old fort, and mud beehive-like
houses, but I remember the spot because of the extra
ordinary reputation for sanctity attaching to the late
Governor of the village.
This worthy is interred at Manish, a considerable dis
tance from the scene of his labours, and a huge cairn of
stones marks his last resting-place. The tomb is hung
with bits of rag, ibex horns, and so on, the only reason
given for the unusual veneration accorded to the deceased
being that he never robbed the poor! This may seem a
somewhat meagre claim to saintship in the eyes of a
European, but, looked at from an Oriental point of view,
the man who has it in his power to oppress, and to
amass money as a result of his oppressions, and who
refrains from enriching himself by such means, is worthy
of all honour.
Shrines are scattered throughout the length and breadth
of Baluchistan, and not only is some holy dervish interred
close to every village of any note, but the traveller con
stantly comes upon a ring of stones hung with fluttering
scraps of clothing in the midst of the wildest deserts.
The pious passer-by tears a bit off his cotton shirt to add
to the collection, believing that by so doing the dead saint
will bear him in mind and will intercede for him to Allah.
The ibex horns are a sign of honour, and often very