1840.] Account of a Journey from Kurrachee to Hingiaj. 149 



cultivation ceased ; the embankments raised for irrigation 

 were swept away on the flooding of the streams, the log lined 

 wells soon fell in, and these monuments of stone alone remained 

 to mark where the camps had existed. The very name of the 

 stations, most probably that of the first chief who pitched his 

 standard on the spot, was soon forgotten by the wandering 

 tribes who fed their flocks in the vicinity, when the memorials 

 of his stay had crumbled into dust. 



The Aghor river is the boundary between the territory of the 

 Yam of Beila and that of the Khan of Kelat, the chief of the 

 Beerooees. They and the Noomreeas do not intermarry, and 

 although at present at peace with each other, have no hesi- 

 tation in robbing and plundering whenever opportunity offers. 

 The Beerooees are usually the aggressors, being better armed, 

 and their places of residence in the mountainous countries 

 of Mukran and Beeloochistan little known. The very day 

 I reached the Aghor a party of them, under a person 

 named Dadruheem Khan, on their way to Beila, took from 

 the hut of two Noomreeas every article they could lay hands 

 on, and levied a contribution of grain from some Hindoo 

 pilgrims encamped there. They likewise stopped some of the 

 people with whom I was travelling, who were in advance of the 

 baggage; but on learning that a British officer accompanied 

 them, they instantly let them go. At the Beerooee encampment 

 also they demanded some sheep as a present, but a Noomreea I 

 had left there to purchase milk, threatened them with my 

 anger if they dared to seize even one. Such is the effect which 

 has been produced on the minds of these lawless men by the 

 gallant capture of Kelat, that they proceeded on their way 

 without enforcing their demand. They were more numerous, 

 and better appointed than the armed men with my party, and 

 had they chosen, might have robbed us without much difficulty, 

 but the very name of a European appeared to frighten them, , 

 A few months ago I should have been treated with every 

 contumely, but now all were anxious to pay me attention. I felt 

 convinced that the only danger attending my excursion was 

 what I might incur from the vengeance of individuals who had lost 

 relations or friends at the storm of the fort, but even their irritated 



