336 
REVIEW. — MOORCROFT’S TRAVELS. 
ation. We continued our advance on the direct road, as if we 
had not noticed them ; but as soon as we had got behind a rising 
ground, which secured us from view, we turned off to the north, 
and galloped hard until we thought ourselves out of danger of 
pursuit. Proceeding on the same line, we came to an abdan, or a 
path which led to the Oxus, and then returned to the direction on 
Kunduz. Leaving it a short distance to our left, we rode to the 
east and south, traversing a large extent of barren plain. After 
many deviations, which made me apprehend the competency of 
my guides, we observed some Uzbeks fording the Ghori river, 
and followed their direction. The river was about a hundred 
yards broad, and the current was rapid. We then rode on till it 
was dark, when we came upon an Uzbek encampment, where it 
was thought we might venture to stop and give our horses a feed 
of barley, which we had brought in our saddle-bags. The animals 
had been without food for twenty-four hours. One of my men, 
who spoke Turki like an Uzbek, went amongst their tents to pur- 
chase some milk and salted tea, whilst I lay down upon a felt ; 
and the other guide, who remained with me, replied to those who 
inquired who I was, that I was his fellow-traveller, and was very 
ill with fever. Milk was not procurable, but we obtained a little 
tea. I was then anxious to depart, but my guides were over- 
come with fatigue, and I was obliged to consent to their taking 
about an hour’s rest. We then remounted, and rode on. The 
night was dark, and the path was indistinct ; and when it wanted 
about three hours of day, my guides declared they could not ven- 
ture to proceed, as they were uncertain of the road. We were, 
therefore, obliged to halt till towards dawn, when we were joined 
by another benighted traveller, from whose information it was 
ascertained that we had lost our way. It was with great difficulty 
that we recovered it, and the morning had fairly broke, when 
it was discovered that we had considerably retrogaded, and were 
not above four kos in advance from Kunduz, on a tract abounding 
with water and mud, frequently up to the horses’ knees. At eight 
o’clock we were opposite to Khanahabad, about seven kos from 
Kunduz. It seemed to be a large town on the right bank of the 
Turkhan river, with a fort of some extent, but not in good repair. 
We pushed on as fast as we could, and, avoiding the main road, 
which was somewhat circuitous, forded the river, and crossed a 
rice level. Whilst yet far distant from Palican, a person was 
met who reported that Baba Bey was on his way to the same 
place, at some distance in our rear. We had not proceeded much 
farther, when we had the mortification of descrying Baba Bey, 
with a numerous party, advancing at a round pace, and gaining 
upon us rapidly. We, however, cleared the pass that leads to 
