"عبر بلاد فارس على سرج ركوب جانبي" [‎٢‎٤‎٦] (٣٦٠/٢٨٥)

246 THROUGH PERSIA ON A SIDE-SADDLE
to swallow. There was a supply of claret, which was
produced for the evening meal, but as I am a water-
drinker from choice, and this beverage, undiluted, was
most unpalatable to me, I preferred to go thirsty to bed.
It was a comfort to know that Panjgur, rich in water
and palms, was our next halting-place, and we started for
that village about half-past four the next morning, the
chilly air before the dawn preventing us from feeling over-
thirsty from the lack of our customary morning cup of tea.
Some seven miles before we reached the village we
passed through the big date-groves of Kalag, and then
came a long stretch of desert before we arrived at the
palms which, according to Persians, dispute with Kej the
claim of producing the best dates in the world.
During the previous year Mr. Parker, of the Royal
Artillery, returning from parade, was nearly killed by a
Panjguri, who rushed upon him with a knife and severely
wounded him. The man, being a ghazi, or fanatic,
believed that the meritorious deed of killing a Feringhee
would transport him straight to the Mohammedan
Paradise; but Captain Kemball, Political Agent of Balu
chistan at the time, ordered the would-be assassin to be
hanged and his body burnt, thus, according to Moham
medan ideas, preventing his entrance into the heaven he
was so desirous of reaching.
As is customary in such a case in the East the rela
tives of the culprit were fined, and it was considered
probable that these latter would try to avenge themselves
by an attempt on the life of Captain Kemball, who was
now with the British Commission.
My brother and I had forgotten this incident, which,
however, was brought suddenly to my mind that morning