64 The Persian Travels Book II. 



embroider'd Quiver full of Arrows , together with a Buckler , the whole coming 

 to about eleven or twelve hundred Livers *, and adding to thele of his own a piece 

 of Scarlet , four pieces of Tiflue of Gold and Silk , and fix pieces of Tiffue of Silver 

 and Silk, made a Prefent of all together to the Emir. But he refus'd all, demanding 

 only two hundred thoufand Piaflers for Larins : which exchange being no way for 

 the Merchants profit, rais'd a great dilpute. But at length, confidering that it was 

 in his power to flop and ftarve us there, we only endeavour'd a Compofition -, which 

 was obtain'd. Thereupon he took the Prêtent, which perhaps he would not elfe have 

 done. For two days that we ftaid to weigh the Money , he fent Provifions to the 

 chief of the Caravan-, and at our departure, he lent us twelve Frails of Dates, 

 and four young Camels that might be worth about forty Crowns a-piece. 

 ■ Two days after we met a Schek^ who among the Arabians is one of the chief of 

 the Law. He was going to Mecca , crofs fome part of Arabia the Happy , with a 

 Train of ten or twelve Camels. He ftaid all night with us, and one of his Servants 

 having been dangeroufly wounded about two days before with a Musket-bullet, 

 my Chirurgeon dreft him, and gave him Salve and Tents, for which he was extremely 

 thankful. He lent me to Supper a great Difh of Pilaw, and the next day a whole 

 Sheep. The Caravan- Bajlii likewife preferred him with two Ells of Scarlet. 



The next we met with nothing worth obfervation , but the day following we 

 met another Emir , of about Five and Twenty years of age , who came from 

 Euphrates , and was travelling into the Happy Arabia. He had with him about 

 five hundred Horfe , and three hundred Camels that carry'd his women. He pre- 

 fently fent to know what Caravan it was , and understanding that it confifted of 

 many Franks , among whom there was a Chirurgeon : He lent again to defire the 

 Caravan Bajlii to follow with the Caravan , to the place where he intended to 

 pitch his Tents , which was not far ou^of the way. We did not think to have 

 gone fo far that day, but he led us to the beft water in all the Defert. The Princes 

 Tent being fet up , he fent for my Chirurgeon , with whom I went along to know 

 what his plcafure was. He had upon his left Arm a Tetter , with a moft filthy 

 Scab as broad as a Crown piece and this went and came at certain times in the 

 year. He prefently ask'd the Chirurgeon whether he could cure him ? to whom 

 the Chirurgeon made anfwer , that the cure was not impoffible , provided he knew 

 where to get fuch remedies as were convenient : For had he laid, he could have abfo- 

 lutely cur'd him , the Emir would have carry'd him away with him , without 

 any farther Ceremony. Thereupon he would have giv'n the Chirurgeon five hun- 

 dred Crowns to have bought Medicines. But I made anfwer, that the cure would 

 not coft fo much , and that if the Chirurgeon could meet with proper Drugs , I 

 would lay out the Money my lelf. The Emir content with that anfwer , lent one 

 of his chief People to Balfara , tg come back with the Chirurgeon , when he had 

 bought his Medicines. He himfeif ftay'd three days in expectation of him; but 

 after we had pretended to feek for what we wattted , up and down the Town 

 ( for we enquired for fuch things as we knew were not to be had ) we fent him back 

 word that we could not find what we look W for, and defir'd his excufe, in regard 

 the attendance of the Chirurgeon would be of no ufe , where he had not proper 

 remedies*, which was the only way we could think of, to get cleverly rid of 

 him. 



The next days Journey after we had left the aArabian Prince , was through a 

 Country altogether uninhabited :, but the day following , which was the fixty- 

 fifth and laft day of our being in the Defert , we met after fome time, with the 

 ruines of fome houfes on both fides the way -, which made us conjecture , that 

 \ fome great City had flood formerly in that place. 



At length we came to Balfara , which I {hall defcribe in another place. 



While I ftay'd at Balfara , which was about three weeks , an AmbafTador from 

 the Great Mogul arriv'd there , who from Conftantimple went to Bagdat to congra- 

 tulate the Grand Signor for the Conqueft of that City which he had taken in fo 

 fhor.t a time. The Emperour prefented him with three ftately Horfes , and a little 

 Watch, the Cafe whereof was fet with Diamonds and Rubies. But the Ambaf- 

 iador not knowing what belong'd to that little Engin , winding it up the wrong 

 way , broke the firing. Coming to Balfara he fent to the Carmelites to defire them 

 to mend his Watch ; for he fear'd the lofs of his head , flioufd he return to his 



Mafter 



