Wildfowl in Seistan 65 



ing about to our left, sometimes in front, some- 

 times almost behind us. 



Wild pig live in this Naizar. Once, during a 

 blizzard, one of these animals tried to force the 

 guard at our Consulate gates, but being repulsed, 

 made away over the plain, pursued by our own 

 levies and some Cossacks from the rival institution 

 over the way. He was eventually killed, brought 

 in, and laid at my wife's feet. These Cossacks 

 seemed capital fellows. It was a daily occurrence 

 to meet them riding their splendid little horses 

 barebacked at full gallop down to water, and as 

 night fell to hear the somewhat mournful cadences 

 of their songs ; and we were frequently privileged 

 to see their intricate dances within the hospitable 

 walls of the Russian Consulate. 



A propos, I may mention an incident that 

 occurred when we were leaving Meshed en route 

 for Seistan. The Eussian Consul-General and his 

 staff had accompanied us to our camp a few 

 miles out. Tea was being served, when the 

 attention of all was attracted to three mounted 

 figures approaching over the plain. As they 

 came nearer, we saw that the middle form was 

 that of our Goanese cook, hat awry, and rolling 

 from side to side of his pony, evidently in a very 

 glorious state. Supporting him on either side, 

 with the utmost gravity, and perhaps real sym- 



E 



