'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.' [‎261] (292/582)

TAKE LEAVE OF THE KHAN.—IMAUM ZADE. 261
to the journey among the mountains, until they had enjoyed a
day or two's repose, after which, he would fly to execute the
wishes of his master. We had a long and interesting conversa
tion on our being thus suddenly parted, and each expressed a
hope of meeting again at Shiraz. Notwithstanding the new de
mand on his force, by the recent order of his Prince, the chief
made me an offer of an escort from his party, if I wished it,
for the remainder of my way, but I declined it, and determined
to proceed alone.
O ct. 21st.—We were not suffered to depart from this station
without first breakfasting with the Khan. He expressed his
intention of going to Mecca, when he became rich enough to
defray the expenses of a journey suited to his rank; and asked
of me all the instructions I could give him thereon. I found
this somewhat difficult, but I succeeded in satisfying him on all
points, and we parted excellent friends.
The village of Imaum Zade, so called from its containing the
domed sepulchre of a certain Ismael, one of the many sons of
the many Imaums of Persia, is neat and comfortable, though
very small Its situation, in a deep and narrow valley, shelters
it from the keen air of Irak, and it has water and wood in
constant supply. The people are more industrious than Persians
usually are, and parts of the seemingly inaccessible summits of the
limestone mountains on each side of the valley are cultivated and
planted with gardens and vineyards. There are the remains of a
fine old caravansera in ruins there, so that passengers now take
shelter in the villagers' dwellings when they are few in number,
and sleep without, if forming a numerous caravan. The dress of
the men of Fars is similar to that worn in Irak:—but while the
women of the latter envelope themselves in a large blue chequered
cloth and white veil, these throw a white handkerchief over their
heads, which, falling down the neck, leaves the face quite open.
It was two hours past sun-rise when we set out from Imaum
Zade, our course lying nearly south, through a narrow valley, with