Chap.X. of Monfieur Tavernier. 47 



fome one of the fmall Cords is broken , and that a Gimel has got a mifchance. The 

 feventh Camel generally carries the Provifions. For if a Merchant have fix Camels 

 laden he is generally allow'd one to carry his Provifion ^ if he have but three, he 

 is allow'd but half a Camel's load ^ but if he have nine or twelve, he pays nothing 

 for the carriage of his Provifions of Food, or any thing elfc that he pleafes. Every 

 Merchant with his Servants rides by the Camels that are laden with his Goods, 

 efpecially in the dark nights *, for there are a fubtil fort of Thieves , that have 

 a trick to cut the two Cords behind and before , and without any noife drive 

 the Camel out of the way •, for having no Hoofs , his Feet cannot be (hod , and 

 confequently he makes no noife. As well Merchants, as others, Camel-drivers 

 and Servants , keep themfelves from deeping fometimes by finging , and fometimes 

 by taking Tobacco , and fometimes by difcourfe. 



The Caravan lyes in fuch' places as they think mod convenient, chiefly near to 

 the Water-fide. When the Sun is let, the Shaoux, who are a fort of poor people, 

 are diligent to guard the wholeField, andtakecare of the Goods. They walk up 

 and down , and either in the Arabian or Armenian Dialect they cry one to another, 

 God ts one , and he is merciful ; adding from time to time , Have a care of your felf. 

 When they fee that the time grows near to let out, they give notice to the Caravan- 

 Baflii , who gives order to bid them cry, Saddle your Horfes ; and after that, to cry 

 again , Load. And it is a Grange thing to confider , that upon the fecond Cry of 

 the Shaoux every thing is ready upon an inftant, and the Caravan begins to kt 

 forward in great order and great filence. Every one takes care to be ready, for it 

 is dangerous to be left behind , efpecially in thole Countries which are haunted with 

 Thieves. The Wages of thefe Shaoux is the fourth part of a Piafter , for a Bale, 

 from Smyrna to Erivan. 



When the Stages are long, and that they believe that they (hall not get thither, 

 by ten or twelve in the morning , every one carries two fmall Wallets on each fide 

 hisHorfe, and when they come to the place where they intend to Break-faft, they 

 fpread a Carpet upon the Ground and fall to. 



When you go from Conftantmople , Smyrna, or Aleppo with the Caravan , it be- 

 hoves all people to carry themfelves according to the mode of the Country } in 

 Turkic like a 7V^, in Perfia as a Perfian; elfe would they be accounted ridiculous, 

 nay fometimes they would hardly be permitted to pals in fome places, where the 

 lead mifcarriage makes the Govcrnours jealous, who are eafily pcrfwaded to take 

 Strangers for Spies. Always , if you have -upon the Road but an Arabian Veft, 

 with a mean Girdle, whatever Clothes you wear under, there is no danger of 

 pafling any where. If you wear a Turbant , you muft of neceflity (have off your 

 Hair, elfe it will never ftay upon the Head. As for Beards, they nevermind them 

 in Turkie , the greateft being accounted the handfomeft } but in Perfia they {have 

 their Chins, and wear their Muftaches : and I remember I have feen one of the 

 King of Perfia\ Porters , whole Muftaches were fo long, that he could tye them 

 behind his neck , for which reafon he had a double Penfion. More than that, you 

 muft provide your felf of Boots according to the cuftom of the Country : they are 

 made of red , yellow , or black Cordovan , lin'd with Linnen cloth -, and in regard 

 they never reach higher than the Knee, they are as convenient to travel in as Shoocs. 

 As for Spurs, they never wear any, for the Iron at the upper end of the Stirrop, 

 which is four-fquare, ferves to fpur the Horfe : fo much the-better, becaufc it is the 

 cuftom of all Afta to ride very fhort. 



Before you fet out, you muft provide your felf of fcveral Houfhokl-Goods, efpe- 

 cially of thofe Bottles that are call'd Matares, which are made of 'Mfwy-Leather ; 

 every man carries his own at the Pummel of his Saddle, or elfc faften'd to the Crupper 

 of the Saddle behind. Befides thele you muft buy ficrracho's, the moft ferviceable 

 things in the World r, for they will never break , and will hold above fifty Pints 

 at a time. The fmaller Bottles ierve to put Afyua-vita? in : and the Leather whereof 

 they are made, has that peculiar to it felf, that it keeps the Water freuY Then 

 vou muft provide Food, and make a provifion of Rice and Bisket as far as Tocat .- 

 For as for Pullets, Eggs , and fuch like things, you meet with them almoft every 

 where, as alfo with Provifion for your Horfes , and new Bread, unlefs in fome few 

 places. You muft alfo carry a Tent with all its appurtenances , with a Mat- 

 trefs*, and Clothes to cover the Horfes at night, efpecially in the time of the 



deep 



