SHIRAZ TO BUSHIEE. 69 



a break from the foot of these mountains to the 

 shores of the Persian Gulf, was spread like a map 

 below us. The small village of Dalakee lay im- 

 mediately iincler the mountains, their rugged perpen- 

 dicular sides almost overhanging it. The only place 

 we found in the village to put up in was a small and 

 ruined caravanserai. The sole occupant of this was 

 an aged donkey. Infirm with years, and supported 

 by voluntary contributions, his old age was passing 

 away amid the ruins quietly enough till our unhappy 

 arrival : then, of course, nothing would satisfy our 

 servants but that he was to be summarily ejected. It 

 was in vain we assured them that the aged pensioner, 

 being left unmolested, would be in no way incom- 

 patible with our day's comfort. They no sooner saw 

 us with our boots off, standing on our little carpet 

 island, and consequently judging that interference on 

 our part was improbable, than they commenced to 

 belabour the poor donkey's sides with their whips ; 

 they screamed at him, and by way of adding insult 

 to injury, they swore by the Prophet that he was the 

 " grandfather of asses." And so, under a storm of 

 blows and abuse, the poor old fellow made a slow 

 retreat. But it was only for a time ; presently he 

 came stealing back, and again ensconced himself in 

 his Avonted corner. His love of home gave the 

 servants, we were glad to see, an infinity of trouble. 

 As often as he was driven forth, so often did he come 

 stealing back again ; till at last one of the servants 



