if ‘ome. 
in the Lower Valley of the Indus and Cutchi. 35 
inquiringly and earnestly, “ Koosh 2?” Are you well, or happy ? 
The Bilichis embrace a friend by laying the head alternately 
on each shoulder; and being, as before deseribed, a portly 
race, the ceremony was trying in so sultry a climate, for each 
individual of a party exacted this ceremony. In all this, how- 
ever, there was, beyond the mere ceremonies which in the 
East are a regular portion of education, and as indispensable 
as any other occupation of life, a great deal of sociable and 
kindly feeling, and, from the most polished to the rudest of 
the race, formed a marked feature of character. The author 
could quote some personal anecdotes of this, but they are 
perhaps unnecessary. When a Biltich has plighted his 
faith to the performance of any particular act, as of safe- 
conduct or protection (except in cases where a strong enemy. 
may come within his power), he is generally to be relied upon, 
at least as far as his influence may extend. The traders found 
this in traversing their country; for though they paid a cer- 
tain amount for the service performed, yet completely at the 
mercy of their escort with highly valuable consignments, they 
could only look for safety to this principle ; and, indeed, acting 
upon it, the commerce of those countries was carried on to a 
certain extent flourishingly, whilst we ourselves, in attempt- 
ing to alter it, and protect the merchant, were the most for- 
midable enemies to the latter, and almost ruined his voca- 
tion. } 
The Bilachi is brave when occasion calls for the display of 
bravery, as late and many previous events have testified ; and 
when, with his rude arms and total ignorance of any other 
principle, than that the best swordsman and strongest man is 
the best soldier, he meets a disciplined force and falls at the 
muzzles of our guns or points of our bayonets, we must, in jus- 
tice to himas well as his gallant opposers, pronounce him a war- 
rior worthy of our steel. Reverting here to some of his bad 
points, we may attach his courage with cruelty ; and certainly 
amongst some of the wilder tribes, this accusation may fairly 
be supported, though it is doubtful if it will stand against the 
whole body. The late Amirs were particularly distinguished 
for a total absence of this vice, and, though their power was 
_ absolute, they seldom or never punished with death any of their 
