'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎262] (297/450)

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arrival at kifri.
route from this place to Karatepeh, which T think I
shall follow.
I have been amusing myself to-day in walking
about the neighbourhood and sitting in a garden lis
tening to an old musician of the Koordish tribe of
Suzmeni, who are all musicians and dancers. This
old man played tolerably well on the native violin,
or rebab with two strings, which was not at all
unpleasant. He came again in the evening to amuse
me, and sung many wild Koordish songs.
The thermometer to-day at three p.m . was 66°.
KiJ'ri, March 27, 1820.
Here I am, after having performed a most curious
and interesting journey; so curious indeed, and so
fortunate in its results, that it is rather like one of
those plans we frequently project but are seldom able
to execute. We left Khanakeen on the 24th, escorted
by Selim Aga, who insisted on accompanying me on
my excursion, with a strong party of his yeomanry,
there being some danger from the rear guard ol
Aman ullah Khan's* army, besides the more regular
thieves, who have been known to occupy the passes
hereabouts, to the number of 500 horsemen. We
sent out regularly an advanced guard and Hankers,
and Bellino, and the Seyd, whose organs of vision
are almost as acute as Bellino's, detached themselves
* The Governor of the Province of Sinna in Persian Koordis-
tan.—See volume 1st, p. 200.