1841.] Journal kept while travelling in Seistan. 337 



• 



Candahar sirdar, who had been robbed while returning from Beerjund ; 

 and whose family Shah Pussund sheltered, having sent out a party to 

 bring them in as a friend. The son of Ahmed Khan had also ar- 

 rived, and an elchee from Meshed, and several others of less conse- 

 quence, not to speak of some lady guests, who were dependent, was evi- 

 dently an every day matter. It did not create the least bustle or confu- 

 sion. My host used always to visit me morning and evening, sitting for 

 about an hour, always in one position, (which like Baber's uncles* 

 he never changes,) that called the dayanu* He was generally accom- 

 panied by a crowd and by a pet child, whose mother — a daughter of 

 Khan Jehan Khan — had died a few days before I arrived. He had been 

 much attached to her, and frequently spoke to me of his loss. I took an 

 early opportunity of offering him, on the part of the envoy and minister, 

 a diamond ring, and a shawl, and of presenting my credentials and let- 

 ters from Major Todd. Shah Kamraun's introduction I thought might 

 as well be in my desk, nor did I through my journey find it politic to 

 present any of those I had received from him or from Yar Mahomed Khan. 

 Saleh Khan at once acceded to my request of procuring grain for 

 Major Todd, and in a few days the camels were brought from Furrah ; 

 and with some more hired ones were sent to Herat, loaded with 

 wheat and barley, which was however procured with much difficulty, 

 and had to be scraped together by seers at a time. In a (acknow- 

 ledged) letter to Major Todd, I have detailed all the conversations I 

 held with the Khan on political matters, and the earnestness with 

 which he expressed his good will-towards the Shah of Cabul, and the 

 English government, and explained the necessity which had forced 

 him to have recourse to the alliance of Persia. I need here, therefore, 

 say no more on this subject, and will again continue my interrupted 

 Journal. 



August 30th. — The Khan this morning brought in a small bag, and 

 told me he had a favour to ask of me. He had been over-looking the 

 property left by his wife above mentioned, that he might lock up any 



thing of value for the after-use of her son, and had 

 Snake stone. ,. ' , _ 



discovered, he said, a bag of precious stones. " fehe 



got them, poor thing, probably after some chuppao : what the greater 

 * See Baber's Memoirs, p. 20. 



