154 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



It was presented in a tub of vile aspect, which one 

 would have scrupled to admit to the office of a pedi- 

 luvium, and which certainly any respectable scullion 

 would have rejected from the service of washing 

 dishes. Its contents were of the most suspicious 

 character. In a greasy soup floated fragments of 

 animal substance, corresponding in texture and form 

 Jo the parts of no edible creature within our know- 

 ledge. This was garnished with anchovies, and a 

 goodly loaf of bread, which last article was beyond 

 reproach. Of course, we had no spoons or forks, so 

 we tucked up our sleeves and dived into the soup. 

 That which had offended the sight proved yet more 

 vile in the tasting ; yet since it pretty well quenched 

 all desire to eat, it in some sort, after all, did the duty 

 of a supper. 



All was quiet in the khan at an early hour, and 

 nothing disturbed our slumbers. Early the next 

 morning we rose and wandered forth into the town. 

 It is a happy custom for the traveller, that the Mus- 

 sulmans are careful to place a fountain near all places 

 of public resort, for thus has he always means of per- 

 forming in some sort his ablutions. What with the 

 fountain and a Turkish bath, we contrived to put 

 ourselves into condition for the emergencies of the 

 day. The first thing was to sally forth into the 

 bazaar in search of a breakfast. Here we made it out 

 on kabobs, and a sort of cake like a large crumpet 

 the cake doing the office of a plate. Kabobs are things 



