260 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



haps willing enough to fight, but he has not been 

 much in the habit of using his firearms ; his gun is 

 loaded but not primed, and before he can bring it 

 round, and remember in which of his numerous 

 pouches he will find the priming powder, he is 

 thrown from his horse and disarmed. The two 

 servants have been seized without opposition, and 

 the other travellers have fled in all directions. The 

 camel carrying the women is now made to sit down, 

 the unfortunate wretches are dragged brutally to the 

 ground and their veils torn off ; their cries for mercy 

 and attempts to screen their faces are alike food for 

 mirth to these accursed savages, who, curling their 

 scanty moustaches and shaking their spears, loudly 

 boast of their invincible valour, and ask, " Who was 

 Eustum whom they talk so much of?" The old 

 man's lot is by far the most preferable ; for while 

 muttering prayers his eyes are closed for ever, and he 

 will no more feel oppression or grief for the sufferings 

 of his wife and son. The poor women, if possessing 

 any beauty, are allowed to ride on the camels and 

 have food given to them, lest hardship and suffering 

 should reduce their value when produced for sale. 

 The men of the party have the same fate as the three 

 camel-drivers, and another tale of blood and barbarity 

 is registered against the race of Turkestan. The last 

 booty and captives are sent on the track of the first, 

 and, if satisfied with the plunder gained, the Turko- 

 mans proceed to their khail, where they are received 



