A RIDE TO MAGNESIA. 145 



who returned the compliment with all grave civility. 

 A colloquy then followed on the subject of ourselves, 

 during which the Turk read our personal present- 

 ments with some apparent interest. It probably 

 required some scrutiny to convince' him that men 

 travelling thus unattended were not vagabonds. Per- 

 haps the same idea had something to do with the 

 shortcomings of our friend the Seraph. In the pres- 

 ent case the result was of a more satisfactory kind, 

 for the Khandgi uttered a courteous welcome, and 

 motioned to us to dismount. Our friend, to whom 

 we had previously explained our necessities, told us 

 that, in consideration of his request, the Khandgi 

 would take the trouble of supplying our wants in 

 the way of eating, though, as the bazaar was long 

 since closed, we should have to wait some time for 

 our supper. We were only too glad to hear that 

 there was any prospect of a refection, and thanking 

 him heartily for his good offices, we entered the 

 caravansera. 



Immediately at the entrance of this hostelry was 

 an uncommonly snug little apartment, wherein many 

 of the more sociable of the guests were taking their 

 baccy. Our will was very good to have made a tem- 

 porary lodgment here while the more substantial 

 repast was in course of preparation. But we followed 

 the respectable gentleman to whose care we had been 

 consigned. Our luggage was not very cumbersome, 

 consisting only of our saddles and holsters, which we 



VOL. IV. K 



