CARAVANSARY AT YEZDIKAST. 
2 5 
the broad ravine, or rather natural fosse, which forms the bound¬ 
ary between the government of Fars, and the country of Irak 
Ajem. 
After descending the mountain-ladder of the Koutel Nakshi- 
Khanah Pass, we went forward on a less formidable road, 
rendered picturesque by the moon-lit turrets of a dilapidated 
fortress, and the vaulted roof of an Iman Zada’s tomb, which 
raised its grey head from amongst the ruins of a tenantless vil¬ 
lage. It was indeed 4 the 'lean cold moon that 6 held her pale lamp 1 
over the pilgrim’s grave ; for when she rose between the hills, 
she brought one of the most piercing winds from the north-east 
I.ever endured on this side the Caucasus ; and which unwelcome 
companion never quitted us, till we gained the more open ground 
near the frontier of the province. Most of the night was con¬ 
sumed in tortuous circuits through mazes of rock and hill, hem¬ 
ming in the road like walls on each side ; but, at intervals, these 
narrow windings opened into wider glens ; and, at last, deliver¬ 
ing us to the more expanded regions about Yezdikast, at twelve 
o’clock we gladly entered its caravansary ; having travelled this 
evening (the 19th of August) eight hours, that is, a distance of 
seven farsangs. 
We had not been long retired to rest, when the Abyssinian 
and his suite rode by our quarters towards the town. I have 
already described its peculiar situation ; built on the table sum¬ 
mit of a precipitous rock, and moated round by the wide ravine 
in which it stands. (See Vol. I. page 456.) All Persian travel¬ 
lers of distinction, in passing between the two governments, are 
lodged on the lofty level of this rock ; few other strangers, whe¬ 
ther Persians of inferior stations, or foreigners however con¬ 
sidered, being ever permitted to sleep within its walls. 
VOL. II. 
E 
