1844.] Itinerary from Yezd to Herat. 833 



turning from a plundering excursion, fell in by mistake with our ad- 

 vance guard and were sabred ; two of them that were not killed, were 

 taken on to Robad Khan, where they were tied to a tree, and shot. 

 The people of the village that witnessed their execution, shewed signs 

 of discontent, but they were not attended to ; this makes me believe, 

 that they are in league with the Beloochees, and that it is from them, 

 the latter purchase their provisions whenever they are obliged to stay 

 any time here, to wait for a favourable opportunity of attack ; and what 

 confirms me in this idea, is, that they never plunder on the lands 

 belonging to Robad Khan, whilst there is no sort of violence that they 

 have not committed on those of Sogan and Posht-Badam. 



The governor of the country, who has every means in his power to 

 put a stop to this pillaging, makes no attempt to do so, beyond going 

 through the form of having a detachment of cavalry at Robad, with orders 

 from time to time to patrol as far as the sand hills. One is equally 

 astonished to find that the Prince at Yezd allows his territory to be 

 plundered with impunity. Those in power, that he has placed at Kha- 

 rom Sogan and other places, are more to gather a tax from those that 

 pass by than any thing else. The only precaution they take, is to pre- 

 vent a caravan from going on when they hear that the Beloochees 

 are out plundering ; for this purpose they have videttes posted on the 

 highest places, who by signs of fires, warn the inhabitants to take to 

 their villages. Under a better administration, it would be easy to put 

 a stop to this rapine ; detachments of cavalry posted at the most dan- 

 gerous places, would preserve the tranquillity of the country, and pro- 

 tect travellers, who now, during this fatiguing journey, are always in 

 fear and inquietude. 



This danger is not the only one to be feared during this march ; 

 one is also exposed to that of meeting with Turkomans, which is still 

 more terrible, as in case you fall into their hands, you are carried off 

 to slavery. The Turkomans, who are addicted to plundering, are gene- 

 rally of the Imak tribe, the chief of whom lives at a place called Mei- 

 maneh, about eight days' march from Herat. From time immemorial, 

 their hordes have been in the habit of plundering with impunity both 

 Khorassan and Herat, without the princes at the head of these provinces 

 being able to oppose them ; their incursions are rapid and unexpected ; 

 they plunder all that they encounter, and carry into slavery, men, wo- 



