1844.] 1838 and 1839, by Hojee Abdun Nubee, of Kabul. 705 



another offered three asses ; but my master would take no less than two 

 „ , camels, at last they were offered, but fortunately for me 



Purchasers. 



my master changed his mind, declaring he would be able 

 to get a good horse for me at Marmasher. This happened about the 

 beginning of the month Mohurrum. A few days afterwards, a man ar- 

 rived at the encampment, and gave out that the Persian friends under 

 the prince had actually made a move, having according to their custom 

 on setting out on an expedition, sacrificed a camel, and that Mirza Ally 

 Raza of Kirman had arrived at Jeeraft to lay in supplies. 



I was delighted to hear this news, as I was acquainted with the 

 Meerza while in Persia, and I had hopes of being able to escape to the 

 Persian camp, should it enter Beloochistan. 



The new comer then looking at me, and seeing my plight, advised 

 my master to release me, as H God knows," said he, " how soon you 

 yourself may be a Persian slave ;" which advice was not at all well re- 

 ceived, and my would-be benefactor got nothing but abuse, which 

 proved however most fortunate for me. For stung with the insult, he 

 took the first opportunity when I was not collecting 

 wood to suggest my escape, promising he would effect 

 it for ten ducats ; to this I immediately and gladly agreed, notwith- 

 standing I had my misgivings that he might sell me somewhere else. 

 He appointed the second night for the attempt, and showed me a tree 

 under which he would have a camel ready at dusk. On the day ap- 

 pointed, my master intended to have decamped for fear of the Persians, 

 but it being the tenth of the month, a day of mourning for all Sheeahs, 

 his departure was put off. On the day appointed, when 

 evening set in, I repaired with a trembling heart to the tree 

 of rendezvous, where I found the camel tied and my friend asleep. I 

 hastened to awaken him, and put myself on the camel behind him, 

 telling him to take me to Ramishk. On starting he took a road how- 

 ever direct north for a short distance, when arriving at his encamp- 

 ment, he left the camel. 



I prcured two asses on which he lost no time in mounting; having 

 refreshed ourselves with bread and milk ; and set out at a good quick 

 amble over a strong road, in what I calculated to be a S. S. W. direc- 

 tion till morning, when we branched off the road at a right angle up a 

 rivulet bed and dismounted, my deliverer returning on foot and effac- 



