'Travels in Beloochistan and Sinde; accompanied by a geographical and historical account of those countries, with a map.' [‎363] (405/476)

MISSION TO SINDE. 3^
to have intercourse with the Umeers on official topics, and that the
Moonshee who was employed on those errands was invariably refused
admission into the fort, and obliged to remain in the bazar, outside,
until an answer was brought to him. It was therefore evident, if
any unfriendly omission had occurred, that it originated on the side
of the Sindian government; and, it was equally obvious, that the
Umeers had no cause to feel any sort of chagrin at their Khidmutgars
not being seen by the envoy, when they had declined to admit a
Moonshee, who was a person of much higher station and respecta
bility, into their presence, even when charged with important verbal
communications.
A serious quarrel had nearly occurred among our people and the
Sindians, one of whom attempted to rush past a sentinel, and, on
being prevented, struck him and knocked off his cap. Exertions
were made to seize the offender, but he effected his escape in the
crowd ; and the envoy's anxiety to obviate any similar occurrence,
which might have led to the most fatal consequences, only for the
forbearance displayed by the Sipahee, suggested the expedient of the
sentries being posted inside the Kunauts, which was accordingly
resorted to.
Our encampment might have been thought at this time to be
pitched in the centre oi a fair, from the vast numbers of people of
every profession and description that were continually hanging about it,
and we weie serenaded night and day by the unceasing vociferations
of buffoons, jugglers, bear-dancers, and Fakeers, the latter of whom
diversified the concert by sounding horns and trumpets. Many of
them evinced astonishing perseverance in their profession, and took
post as near the envoy's private tent as the outer skreens would per
mit them to approach it, where they continued for days at a time,
bellowing forth their demands and occasionally denouncing the ven
geance of the Prophet and the Umeers against the mission, unless
they were satisfied. Others reserved their attack until we rode out,
which was generally the case every evening when the weather was
fair; and then they would run before the envoy's horse, assurino-
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