228 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



carpets on the floor, a dwelling is formed, which 

 keeps out heat, cold, and rain, and is easily removed 

 to any other spot. It is certainly better than any 

 tent, and has the advantage of excluding thieves. 

 The camels are bought, the leather bags for water 

 ready, all supplies laid in, and off we go to-morrow. 



May 26th. Called after all on the governor. 

 The fact is, I could not omit this attention without 

 appearing to slight the Khan Huzarut. I found a 

 very old gentleman, with a very white beard, sitting 

 under an awning. He did not move one inch to 

 receive me (served me right for calling, and yet I 

 think I was right, and the old fellow wrong, in spite 

 of his grey beard). I fear I must bring this insult 

 to the Khan Huzarut's notice. Called immediately 

 afterwards on the Khalifa, another greybeard, but a 

 very different character ; he received me like a patri- 

 arch. This old gentleman has very great influence 

 with all Turkomans, by whom he is much respected 

 and trusted ; he is considered almost a saint, and the 

 Turkomans are only too glad to make him the dis- 

 tributor of their charitable donations. I believe he 

 is well worthy of the trust, though they say that 

 some of his attaches eat an unconscionable share of 

 the poor-rates. The Khalifa is a very small man, of 

 very quiet and retiring manners a rara avis a 

 bashful Turkoman. His face is pleasing, notwith- 

 standing the loss of the bridge of his nose, which was 

 caused by frost. From the Khalifa's I returned to 



