698 Tour through parts of Buloochisthan, in £No. 153. 



Leaving Apta, I set off to the East to visit the fort of Mugas, the 

 strength of which I had heard much extolled. Having dressed or rather 

 undressed as a fuqueer. I spent this night in a kour or rivulet bed, 

 and starting the next day, still proceeded in the kour to a few tents of 

 Beloochees, who on my entry hastened to set before me all they had ; 

 viz. coarse juwaree bread and fresh asafoetida. 



6th January.— Having travelled 5 kos, arrived at Mugas, the far- 

 Magus, famed, and found a square tower 30 guz in height and sixty 

 paces in circumference. I was assured, however, that Abul Kasam 

 Khan had besieged this tower, but found his guns would take no effect 

 on it, it being baman for 20 guz. I here saw two of the finest 

 horses I had ever met with in Beloochistan, they belonged to the chief, 

 who is a Koord. I had taken the precaution of bringing a few needles 

 with me, and could with the greatest difficulty obtain flour for them, 

 the natives wanting them for love. 



8th January. — Hiring a bullock to take me as far as Pahro for one 

 Companions, rupee, I started in company with two Magases, and 

 travelled till the afternoon in the same rivulet bed that I had come by, 

 and stopping, commenced cooking coarse bread. My companions re- 

 garded my preparation with longing eyes, at last not being able to con- 

 tain themselves, requested to be invited to my table. I expressed 

 my surprise at their not having brought bread with them, as this 

 was the first stage from their homes. They assured that they never 

 tasted bread beyond once a week or twice at most, living entirely on 

 dates. On going to sleep, I put some of the remaining bread 

 under my pillow. The temptation to treat themselves was too great, 

 and they stole it during the night, assuring me when I awoke, that 

 the thief must have been a Tolak jackall. 



9th January. — After a journey of 6 kos returned to Apta, once 

 rather a good road the whole way, and purchased an ass, which ani- 

 mals are procurable very fine here, having an excellent quick amble ; 

 every one, high and low, rides them. 



Wth January. — Proceeding 8 kos over a good level road to 

 Pahiah, where I found supplies plentiful ; the chief is Ibrahim 

 Khan. 



\2th January. — Ten kos further over a level road without water, 

 through a jungle of hanhoor and tamarisk, brought me to Bampoor, 



