JOURNEY PROM HERAT TO ORENBURG. 241 



three miles passed a ruined fort, the gate of which 

 has some slight pretensions to architectural ornament. 

 Slept until daylight, and came on this morning eleven 

 miles to a high mound. Here we marched off into 

 the hed of the river for water, and passed, before we 

 reached it, through four miles of ground that has 

 been highly cultivated, but is now neglected. 



June 7th. Last night came on sixteen miles. At 

 four miles passed a spot which is sacred in the eyes 

 of Turkomans, as having been the tomb of " Huzuruti- 

 Maduri-Baba-Adam," literally Adam's mother ! They 

 made offerings here, by turning loose a mare and 

 horse ; their progeny are said to be numerous, though 

 I cannot say that I saw any of them. At nine miles 

 came to the separation of two roads, one leading in- 

 land, and the other following the river ; we took the 

 latter, it is said to be the longer of the two, but we 

 are sure of water and grass. Total distance,, thirty miles. 



June 8th. Came on seventeen miles, a good road, 

 through heavy jungle, in immediate vicinity of the 

 river, and sandy ground on the high bank. Brutus 

 was taken ill with dysentery during the night. I 

 should pity the old man more if he did not groan so 

 much ; we are now halting on his account. 



June 9th. Last night came on twenty-five miles. 

 After the first eleven miles left the river and turned 

 inland. Slept until daylight, and this morning came 

 on ten miles. At two miles from sleeping-place we 

 came to a small village, with a few trees and some 



VOL. II. Q 



