A MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION. 
27 
tioned in my former visit to the neighbourhood of this place. 
The benignity of his countenance, united with the crippled state 
of his venerable frame, from the effects of his precipitation from 
the terrible height of execution, redoubled my more than curi¬ 
osity to enquire into the particulars of so amazing a preservation. 
Perhaps he read this wish in the frequent turning of my eyes 
towards him ; for entering into conversation on the amiable cha¬ 
racters of the reigning royal family of Persia, and comparing the 
present happiness of his country under their rule, with its misery 
during the sanguinary usurpation of the tyrant Nackee Khan, 
the good old man, who had himself been so signal an example 
of that misery, was easily led to describe the extraordinary cir¬ 
cumstances of his own case. Being connected with the last hor¬ 
rible acts, and consequent fall of the usurper, a double interest 
accompanied his recital, the substance of which was nearly as 
follows : — 
Having by intrigues and assassinations made himself master of 
the regal power at Shiraz, this monster of human kind found 
that the governor of Ispahan, instead of adhering to him, had 
proclaimed the accession of the lawful heir. No sooner was the 
news brought to Nackee Khan, than he put himself at the head 
of his troops, and set forward to revenge his contemned 
authority. When he arrived as far as Yezdikast, he encamped 
his army for a short halt, near the tomb on the north side- 
Being as insatiable of money as blood, he sent to the inhabitants 
of Yezdikast, and demanded an immense sum in gold, which he 
insisted should instantly be paid to his messengers. Unable to 
comply, the fact was respectfully pleaded in excuse; namely, 
“ that all the money the city had possessed, was already taken 
away by his own officers, and those of the opposite party ; and 
e 2 
