JOURNEY FKOM HEEAT TO ORENBURG. 295 



" Why, Beerdee, can you tell me the reason why you 

 turn to the Kibla when you pray ? " " Don't ask me 

 such questions; I saw them worship images," and off 

 he goes to Khiva, to tell many a funny tale, no 

 doubt. 



September Ylih. This morning parted with Ma- 

 homed Daood and the establishment. Well, good- 

 luck to them ; they have followed me over many a 

 weary mile, and, Inshallah, if I rise, they shall rise 

 too : never had man better servants. The only diffi- 

 culty was to persuade them to go back, though the 

 terrors of the sea were before them if they accom- 

 panied me, and these terrors were, in their imagina- 

 tion, anything but contemptible, to say nothing of 

 the images and the unclean animals ! The Russians 

 gave me a feast, and drank the healths of the Queen 

 of England and Emperor of Russia, and did me the 

 honour of toasting me also. " They the Tutor " much 

 alarmed at the guns and hurrahs, and much scandal- 

 ised at the bottles. 



September 18th. The prisoners came on board, 

 and the worthy commandant bade God speed us. 

 Gave him three cheers on leaving. Sailed at sunset, 

 light but favourable breeze. 



September \$th. Progressing but slowly. " They 

 the Tutor " was rather unwell yesterday, and has not 

 been seen this day. We are sailing over a smooth 

 sheet of water, as clear as crystal, and not eight feet 

 deep ; you may count every sea-weed. Land has been 



