280 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AXD SPORT. 



had died in consequence after their return to SinJ, 

 and nothing whatever seemed to be known of the 

 state of the rest of the country. 



These facts, which constituted our whole knowledge 

 on the practicability of the attempt, were not very 

 encouraging; but it was our fate to accomplish it, 

 and with ease. " InshallaJi ! " we said, " we shall try ; 

 probably they will take us for mad, and receive us 

 with veneration." Perhaps the southern Beluches are 

 not so fierce as those of the north ; perhaps, from the 

 contiguity to British territory, the British traveller is 

 covered by the broad shield of his country's reputa- 

 tion ; perhaps percussion -cap firearms are more for- 

 midable than matchlocks ; perhaps these savages are 

 not very savage after all ; or perhaps this contributor 

 may be destined to an exit not usual in uncivilised 

 countries ; some or all of these causes may have 

 contributed to his safety during a few weeks' excur- 

 sion through Las, and small portions of Jhalewan and 

 Mekran. 



The notion of travelling with a party of Afghans 

 was given lip, because, being ignorant of the Pooshtoo 

 language, we could not hope to keep up pleasant 

 friendly relations, or easily detect any treachery which 

 they might meditate. 



It was impossible to find any companion who could 

 be persuaded that it was his destiny to "do" Beluchis- 

 tan ; and the more so, because no officer could obtain 

 leave for any such outrageous purpose. Of course it 



