TIMUR BEG. 
29 
inhabit the desert,, whither they frequently repaired 
in strong parties to plunder caravans. These free- 
booters were exceedingly daring, and often the terror 
of the surrounding districts. They sometimes occu- 
pied old forts, and were so strongly intrenched as to 
defy the regular armies of their princes. They were 
generally well armed and mounted, their arms con- 
sisting of a short cimeter, a crease or dagger, a shield, 
and a long lance, with a steel head more than a foot 
in length, flat and tapering to a fine point. The en- 
graving represents a chief of freebooters leading out a 
party for a day’s plunder : — they are issuing from a 
strong fortress upon the plains of old Delhi. In 
those times they were held in great dread by the 
petty sovereigns, whose territories they frequently 
ravaged without mercy, being extremely expert horse- 
men, very daring, capable of enduring great fatigue, 
and reckless of consequences. They lived on little, 
their food consisting almost entirely of rice, milk, and 
fruits. Their horses were inured to the same pri- 
vations as their riders, which enabled the latter to 
traverse immense tracts of country without the en- 
cumbrance of provisions, taking their chance of what 
the country might afford; being nevertheless often 
reduced to desperate extremities. Sometimes, how- 
ever, they returned from their marauding expeditions 
with immense plunder. 
Timur, during his stay with the Turkomans in the 
desert, purchased from them, with a valuable ruby arm- 
let, three horses, some travelling equipage, armour 
and arms. Three days he and his party were 
hospitably entertained by the Turkoman chief, and 
d 3 
