TABRIZ. 
289 
universal depreciation abroad. The Turcomans make incursions into 
Persia; frequently crossing the wide intervening desert of sand, 
and surprising and carrying away from the centre of towns and 
villages men, women, and children. They, even now, extend their 
inroads as far as Room , Kashan , Langarood&Nusserabad; and the 
ruined villages about Room were destroyed by them. These Raids, 
which are called Chappow , are performed on horseback by parties of 
twenty or thirty with incredible speed and activity. Their horses 
(renowned over the East for swiftness and hardiness) support them 
admirably in these expeditions, as like their riders they undergo . 
immense fatigue with a very small portion of food. They are, there¬ 
fore, bought by the neighbouring nations at vast prices; which, (with 
the sale among other tribes of their captives, and of their camels, 
sheep, &c.) supply the chief source of the Turcoman's wealth, and 
accumulate immense sums in ready money. The captives lead a 
wretched life: if young, they are sent into the interior to tend the 
cattle; but when they grow old and unfit for service, they are 
killed by their masters; who comfort their consciences by placing 
the skin of the deceased at the threshold of their door, in the be¬ 
lief that he approaches Paradise in proportion as his skin gets pierced 
with holes and worn out. On the other hand, their hospitality, the 
theme of so many pens, is not exaggerated. A stranger, laden 
with gold and precious stones, who claims protection at the tent 
of a Turcoman is sure to find it. He remains there as long as he 
pleases, his person and his property are in perfect safety, and, when 
he is desirous to depart, he is escorted by one of the tribe, which 
alone is a sufficient protection to him through the whole of their 
own district, and through every other kindred people. Caravans thus 
travel from Asterabad to Astrachan without molestation, and in the 
full security of the property which they convey. Turcomania is said 
to be extremely populous, but wholly uncultivated. The people feel 
p p 
