672 Tour through parts of Baloochisthan, in QNo. 153. 



ing at several parts to dismount and lead the camel. The general 

 direction was West, and I should think the distance could be not less 

 than 10 kos. The name of " Written Mountain/' would suggest the 

 site of some old inscription, but I could never discover the origin of the 

 name. On the top of the mountain I found a stagnant pool of rain 

 water, where I passed the night in the open air, which I found very cold. 

 Next morning I commenced the descent, and coming on a bullock's 

 " halt," or encampment, bartered some pepper and turmeric for a little 

 butter milk and butter; again proceeding still over a descent for six 

 kos arrived at a well, where I breakfasted ; again starting, I arrived at 



„, Kharan, at the fort of Meer Azad Khan Nowsherwanee 



Kharan. 



towards evening, having I calculated come 12 kos from the 

 top of the Koh-i-Nirvisht. 



From Gidar to Kharan there is a road called Peeshukan, which 

 Peeshukan turns tne Koh-i-Nirvisht, and takes laden camels 3 days. 

 On arriving at Kharan, I proceeded direct to the meh- 

 man-khanah, or traveller's bungalow, and to my astonishment met 

 Syud Ali Mahommed of Mastung, who had seen me at Major Leech's 

 tent. He was very inquisitive, and his cross-examination was only 

 terminated by the arrival of a man from Meer Azad Khan, requesting 

 my presence in the fort. Here I was most graciously received on 

 account of the friendship that existed between the Khan and my 

 father. After that for my health, the next enquiry was of course for 

 news from Kalat. I told him in a few words, that Shah Shooja-ul- 

 Mulk was expected in Khorasan ; that Mehrab Khan had determined 

 to espouse his cause, and ended by advising him to bake his bread in 

 the same oven. Before leaving him, he expressed his determination, 

 that as soon as the Shah should arrive, he would send for me from 

 Panjgoor, and despatch me to court as his envoy, with a peshkush, 

 or tributary offering of some of his best riding camels and grey- 

 hounds. 



I passed the night in the mehman-khanah, and in the morning 

 set about business. 



The district of Kharan is bounded on the North by Koh-i-chhar 

 Kahan, four hump hills and Kalag ; on the South by the desert and 

 Boundaries, district of Ruksan ; on the West by the desert and Wa- 

 shuk ; and on the East by the Tozapeer and Koh-i-Nirvisht, sometimes 



