1841.] Journal kept while travelling in Seistan. 321 



make over any grain, I could buy on the public account to the same. 

 To the first proposition I made no objection. Hubeeboollah I knew 

 to be a man of character and respectability ; he is an Ishaukzye, and 

 son of the Mir Akbar of Shah Zemaun ; and as he was well acquainted 

 with Seistan, where he had lived for more than a year as the agent of 

 the Herat government, I thought he might prove useful. 



On taking leave of the governor I presented him with a pistol of 

 small value, and a shawl, apologizing for the poor- 

 Mrh S omed K S h y an d ness of the g ift b Y repeating, what 1 had been re- 

 peating, since I arrived but without much effect, that 

 I was travelling as a mere private individual, and uninvested with 

 political authority. Syud Mahomed expressed himself quite satisfied 

 with the offering, and sent me two sorry horses in return ; he also 

 pressed a few more horsemen on me, as the road between Subzawar 

 and Turrah was not accounted safe. As I was mounting my horse, a 

 person slipped a letter into my hand and slunk away ; it was from 

 the prince, begging me to mediate with Major Todd, that his allow- 

 ance might be increased, and wishing me a pros- 

 Prince/" 0111 ^ perous journey. Our road lay on the banks of the 

 river Adrascund, which shewed traces of having been 

 once richly cultivated ; but at present they are covered with grass and 



weeds, on which large numbers of sheep, camels, 

 Leave Subzawar. 



horses, and cows were feeding. "We made a detour to 



visit the Killah Duchter, celebrated in the traditions of this part 



of the country; but were not repaid for our trouble. The Killah 



Duchter is a small ruined fort on the left bank of the Adrascund, 



^.„ , „ , where that river turns the hills, and on the extreme 



Killah Duchter. 



edge of these hills is built, just opposite the other 

 fort a wall and parapet, now in ruins, with a high tower in tolerable 

 preservation, and which is seen for miles. This last is the Killah 

 Pisur, and the son and daughter used to nurse each other with 

 mutual sieges. While we were sitting on the tower of the Killah Pisur, 

 which commands a fine view of the plain below, we perceived a horse- 

 man trotting towards us from the town. It appeared that a boy, the 



slave of some person about the sirdar, had ran away 

 Runaway Slave. . . , 



and had taken service with one or my followers. 1 he 



moment the horseman approached, the poor boy went without saying a 



