538 
EASTERN MOUNTAINS OF COURDISTAN. 
tection through the mountains. Here, entering the great pass 
of eastern Courdistan, we immediately took to the higher ground 
in a direction south 60° east, leaving at once, both the valley 
and river Jigatti. Our way varied occasionally up narrow wind¬ 
ing dells, and over successions of hills, mostly covered with 
pasturage burnt to the appearance of dry sand. This arid waste 
was spotted here and there with the black tents of the Choor- 
doogly, a tribe transplanted from the south of Persia to Casvin, 
by the late king, and now removed hither by his present majesty 
at the request of Abbas Mirza, who has ordered winter villages 
to be prepared for their stationary residence. Having traversed 
these hills for nearly seven hours, we turned into an enormous 
ravine branching to the west. This brought us in three quarters 
of an hour to a little confined vale, through which ran a stream 
flowing towards that quarter, and bathing the scorched little 
bank on which stands the village of Gobechook. It was now 
left to its bare walls, the inhabitants having removed to their 
more airy canvass dwellings. Our guide computed its distance 
from Sian Kala at six farsangs. And my mehmandar, who was 
a relation of the khan’s and a merry fellow, rode forward, “ to 
bring out the whole encampment,” he said, “ men and cattle, 
to give me Courdish welcome !” I soon followed, and certainly 
was received with a greeting more like kindred crowding round 
a dear relation arrived from afar, than a stranger come to tax 
their hospitality. 
While the heads of the little community were thus welcoming 
myself, others took the same care of my people ; and a bevy of 
women actively employed themselves in parting off, and ar¬ 
ranging a tent for our reception. Various partitions being made 
of their slender matting, carpets were spread on the ground, 
