100 THE AGHA OF KASSABAR. 



cushions forming the divan. Before the chief 

 was a cage containing a pet decoy partridge, 

 almost too large for its dwelling. It cackled 

 and held its tongue at its master's bidding ; but, 

 becoming troublesome, was effectually silenced by 

 the casting of a cloth over its prison. The Agha 

 was a corpulent but handsome middle-aged man, 

 suffering from asthma and ophthalmia ; and hence 

 sitting with lialf-closed shutters, and his back 

 to the light. He was attired in rich robes of 

 purple and brown, trimmed with fur, and wore 

 a tarboosh with an enormous blue tassel, and a 

 party-coloured handkerchief twined round it. 

 The few thin rays of sunny light, streaming from 

 the high and half-closed window, fell on the 

 picturesque figures of the Agha and his friends, 

 with an effect which needed only to be trans- 

 ferred to canvas, to produce a masterpiece of 

 Rembrandt. After the usual salutations and 

 the complimentary pipes and coffee, we touched 

 upon the business part of our call, — the inquiry 

 respecting Erness, and the request for a guard 

 to accompany us there, so as to prevent our 

 coming in contact with the infected or compro- 

 mised inhabitants. This request was with the 

 Agha a matter of grave consideration ; and, 



