'Travels in Beloochistan and Sinde; accompanied by a geographical and historical account of those countries, with a map.' [‎34] (76/476)

34 A BRAHOOE KHEIL.
at Bela that he was absent, we did not think it adviseable to go to
the village,- and, therefore, dispatched one ot our guides to deliver
the letter to his Deewan or manager, with instructions to forward it
to his master. The town of Wudd is, I understand, very small and
ill built ; the chief of it has in vain endeavoured to found another in
the valley, respecting which the natives entertain a belief that it is
haunted at particular seasons, and the people who were with us,
positively affirmed, that Hindoos and others had seveidl times
attempted to settle there, but, that without a single exception, they
all died, or were driven away within one year.
A little before sun-set we took up our lodging for the night close
to the Ghedans or tents of three or four Brahooe shepherds, one of
whom supplied us with abundance ot milk, firewood, and water j this
little Kheil or society had selected a most romantic and retired spot,
immediately under a stupendous range of mountains, for their abode ;
their manners were mild, simple, and prepossessing, and the only
cares they seemed to have, in this peaceful retreat, were to protect
their flocks from the nightly depredations of wolves and hyenas, to
tend them while grazing during the day, and to milk them morning
and evening ; at all of which, both sexes were ecpialH alcit and
skilful. The flocks were just brought home as we dismounted, and
it was surprising to see with what quickness and regularity they
were all milked and pent up; at this every soul assisted, from the
father of the family to the infant that could just walk; the *ewes
were milked into separate pails from the goats, as the butter made
from them is not considered so likely to keep when clarified, though,
when fresh, it is preferred by the Brahooes as being stronger: when
the household avocations were over, the women and children came
and sat round our fire, and chatted without the least reserve ; their
demeanour, as well as that of the men, evinced a truly hospitable
desire to oblige, uninfluenced by the hope of reward, and few, who
have not been situated as we were at that moment, can fully appre
ciate the gratification of such treatment as we met with from these
wild and uncivilized shepherds. Having given one of the daughters
11