"يوميّات رحلة من بلاد فارس إلى الهند عبر هراة وقندهار. وأيضًا تقرير رحلة إلى العاصمة الوهابية، الرياض في وسط الجزيرة العربية" [ظ‎‎١‎٦] (٢٦٨/٣٢)

18
unncl their way. He then showed mo a small pass abont six miles
on ho road to Shahrood, where he himself had once been seined
and earned into slavery by a party of horse. “ They came on me
suddenly,” said he, “ knocked me oft’ my horse with a spear, took
away my two post-horses, and binding my hands dose behind my
back, drove me on foot to the Turcoman territories. They treat-
e mo ve enough, I learned their language, ground com, and
fetched wood for them. They considered me very clever, and
ui coman ladies took a great fancy to me. At length how
ever, my mother heard of my fate; and raising 60 Tomans in our
”' , agC PU ‘' C ' ,a , Sed my freedom - 1 ha vo never got clear of this debt,
and am still liable for above 20 Tomans. I wish now to go to
trinsT Z 1 f f ’ Cer ‘ ain that “ ° ne ° f continual
hands” 0118 13 b ° r<ler ' 1 Sha1 ' again fal1 int0 the Turcoman
On my return to the post-house X sent across to the Sirdar to
ask at what hour of the night he proposed moving onward. Ho
would start at midnight. This was late for me, as I should not
arrive in time to catch the guns at the next station. However
What was to be done ? So I called for a kabab and cup of tea’
and prepared to rest myself in my cloak until the dismal hour;
but jnst as I was losing consciousness, I heard the tramp of horses
nn er my window, and the Mirza came running up to say that my
o0 sowars had arrived. “ All right, send the Commandant, that I
may find out whether he is ready to go on at once.” Accordingly
a wild-looking creature with fly-away features appeared up
steps, and told me that he came by order of the Governor of
ia irood to escort me to Muzeenoon. “ But why did you not meet
me last night at Bedusht ?” Oh, I only got the order yesterday
afternoon ; and I was then four fursacks the other side of Bostoon ”
ihen yon have come 15 fursacks.” « Bather more.” " Well
the pith of my question is this, that there are some guns at the
next station of Meandasht, but they leave at day-break. If
you can manage to bring me up with them, you may then
return home, otherwise we must take our stages to Muzeenoon ”
We can catch them up,” said the Commandant, “my horses
011 y rcc l mre som o barley and two hours' rest." “ Come again