146 Continuation of Dr. Gerard’s Route (Marcu, 
brushed past our encampment, some of them stopping and conversing 
with the Kafila, and relating their adventures to the merchants, who in 
pursuance of their trade took a heartless interest in that of the rob- 
bers, as upon their success more or less would rest their own security. 
Upwards of 100 Kuzlbashes were seized for the Bokhdra market, 
and a number of camels and cows which they drove off from within 
sight of the walls of Meshid. ‘Their encampment was close to us, and 
we were almost tempted to take a look at it. Some of the Allemans 
were disabled, while their horses were scarce able to carry them. 
Many had returned empty-handed, finding the work too heavy; all 
those who touched at the village came for refreshment or to visit 
their friends. This is a strange state of society, yet these intrepid 
adventurers, when seen in the ordinary relations of life, are not 
only sociable companions, but even prepossessing in their natural 
simplicity and easy manners. The guard of Tuirkomans we had 
were the same people, and every individual of it could enumerate his 
exploits in the inglorious field; but this is perhaps not quite fair, as it 
requires a considerable share of courage to meet the various perils of 
their vocation: pillage alone is their aim, and, of all others, human 
beings are their greatest prize; nor is it much to be wondered at that, 
amongst people who are naturally prone to rapine, their fellow creatures 
should be most coveted, as long as the infamous markets of Bokhara 
and Urganj offer a premium for the traffic. The Russians have, I 
believe, succeeded in restraining slavery as regards Bokhdra : but what 
reliance is to be placed upon any compact that is both adverse to mer- 
cenary interests and religious zeal? There are several hundred Rus- 
sian slaves now in the dominions of the Bokhara dynasty, and as long 
as Tirkomans offer them for sale there will be purchasers ; and what 
does Russia know of her black population or of her fugitive soldiers, 
who wander amongst half savage hordes at the extremities of her ter- 
ritory ? At Shiraks there was a Persian girl of unquestionable beauty 
who had been in slavery for a couple of years, with the Tirkomans of 
course; her transfer was delayed in hopes of an enhanced price, and a 
Kafila which followed us, picked her up at what may appear a high va- 
luation, if indeed we can make any estimate of what is in itself unappre- 
ciable! But you will excuse me for treating the subject in this loose 
way, having resided so long in a quarter of our own dominions where 
female slavery is as notorious as the sun at noon day, and if not quite 
so glaring, is, I fear, scarcely less remarkable, while it is as genial to 
the people’s feelings as his rays to their frozen solitudes. The Persian 
girl was sold for upwards of 60 t¢ilas, more than 420 rupees, a sum 
