DEPARTURE FROM KHYRPOOR. 261 



Meer's Mooktyar Kar, was anxious for my 

 departure, as he did not at all like the inquiries 

 that he heard I was making into his conduct 

 and practices, which were not of a nature, if 

 popular rumour spoke truth, to bear very rigid 

 scrutiny. So, my arrangements being made, I 

 prepared to start by the first steamer from Suk- 

 kur, and learning the arrival of the Laiorence^ 

 I bade farewell to my much-esteemed companion 



and friend, Mr I , parting with deep regret 



from one with whom I had so long lived in the 

 strictest intimacy. Most fortunate, indeed, shall 

 I ever consider myself in having had for my 

 companion a man of such rare information, 

 ;first-rate ability, and blessed with a temper 

 that nothing could ruffle. 



I mounted my horse when the moon rose on 

 tlie 26th of August, but only reached Roree an 

 hour before dawn, having lost my way, through 

 the face of the low grounds being covered with 

 water, the inundation being then nearly at the 

 highest. From the deputy Post-Master at Eoree, 

 Toorab Ali Shah, I learned that the steamer 

 would probably start that morning ; so it was of 

 im^^ortance to cross the river at once, and no 

 boats plying for hire until sunrise, he very 



