'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.' [‎247] (278/582)

DEPARTURE FROM KOMESHAE.—MOOKSOOD BEGGY. 247
on. A hundred stories were told us of small robberies committed
by the distressed peasants of the villages near the road, on unwary
passengers, from mere want; and every voice was raised against
our proceeding alone, as we professed we intended to do: but,
conceiving that there might be as much safety in our own party
as in a larger one, since we had seen that numbers were not
always a sure protection, and above all, since it would be impos
sible for us to support a long delay, and no one knew when a cara
van would overtake us, I determined to go on, against the inclina
tion of the Dervish, and the remonstrances of all who attempted
to advise us.
Oct . 16th.—The scene of yesterday was again repeated, almost
before it was daylight: on one hand, a crowd of supplicants for
bread; on another, men accusing us of want of common prudence,
and prognosticating our certain pillage or death.
When the sun rose, however, we burst through both these ob
stacles, and set out from Komeshae alone. Going out of the
eastern gate, and continuing for about half an hour in that direc
tion, our road turned to the southward, and led along the foot of
a high and bare range of mountains to the east. On our right
we had a deep plain, bounded on the west by a similar range of
hills, and about ten or twelve miles wide. It appeared to be of
unusual fertility, though it was now sparingly watered by some
small streams, all the other channels being perfectly dry. Along
the centre of this plain was seen a line of villages and gardens,
continuing; for several miles to the southward, as well as some
others at its western extremity; but most of these were said to
have been lately abandoned, from want of water; and indeed
most of those near which we passed were deserted and in ruins.
Our road over this plain lay about south-east by south, and at
noon we reached the small station of Muksood Beggy. A large
caravan from Shiraz, going to Ispahan, escorted by a troop of
soldiers, had made their halt here, and every place of shelter was
fully occupied by them. We were treated, indeed, with the