'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎19] (50/582)

TO KESRABAD, OR DASTAGHERD.
19
S ept. 7th.—The wind from the eastern hills was cold and
piercing during the night; and as I slept on the house-top or ter
race, exposed to its full force, and without a covering, I felt myself
severely affected by its influence.
I had arisen and armed myself, however, before the day broke,
and stirred my Dervish from his sleep, under the belief of the
caravan setting out at an early hour, as yesterday. But when our
horses were saddled, and some few others had followed our ex
ample under the same persuasion as ourselves, we were surprised
to find the major part of our company still snoring at their ease,
and some few others who were awake making no preparations to
be gone. On enquiry, our surprise was heightened to learn that
it was not intended to move to-day, as they had heard news of
troubles on the road. Daood Effendi, the Dufterdar of the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
of Bagdad, had, it was said, come out of the city, and putting him
self at the head of five thousand troops previously prepared by his
agent, had set up the standard of rebellion, and intended taking
the city from his former master, without attempting to offer any
plea of excuse for such treachery, as in these countries power is
tacitly acknowledged to constitute right, however much the con
trary doctrine may be preached by those who feel their own
weakness.
It was not easy to see how this could affect the safety of the
roads to the eastward of us, but it was thought to do so by
the timid pilgrims, and this was sufficient to spread a panic
among all the rest who were bound that way; for though, on our
arising, there were several preparing to depart, and we had offered
to join them if they would go on, yet there was not at last one
individual who would start with us, and we were therefore obliged
to yield to the delay.
My indisposition made me sufficiently indolent; notwithstand
ing which, however, being without a book or a companion, my
Dervish having already given himself up to such pleasures as the
town afforded, the time hung heavily upon me. When I caught
d 2