INCIDENTS ON THE JOURNEY. 
259 
of regret, that I must find travelling, and particularly at so 
inclement a season, so much more incommodious in his country, 
than in my own. 
Next morning, myself and my little party, accompanied by 
my new and valuable acquaintance Dr. De la Fosse, set forward 
at sun-rise. Kara-Baba being some distance from the main road, 
I deemed it proper to start before the usual hour, that we might 
be ready to fall in with the column, by the time His Royal 
Highness would join it. Our haste, however, was rather pre¬ 
mature; for it brought us out on the road, just at a point to meet 
the ladies of the Prince’s family. They always leave the royal 
quarters at dawn, to be less observed, and to arrive at the next 
Menzil (halting-place,) before the Prince himself. They were 
five in number, dressed in scarlet, with rich shawls over their 
heads and faces; and riding astride, on the most beautiful and 
spirited horses. We drew back, at the first glance of this fair 
vision, and waited till it passed. These ladies composed part 
only of the usual inhabitants of His Royal Highness’s Anderoon ; 
but they were selected to attend him, while at Teheran ; and 
were guarded on the journey by ten or twelve eunuchs, with 
the addition of a well-armed company of horse. 
Soon after the whole party were out of sight, the baggage-train 
made its appearance, bearing similar marks of the august per¬ 
sonage to whom it belonged, being covered with red and blue 
cloths. A tack-i-ravan was in the procession; which is a 
brankard or litter, borne on poles between two strong mules ; 
both it and them being also clothed in scarlet, with rich fringe 
and other ornaments. This equipage is intended for any of the 
women who may be fatigued, or indisposed. The peculiar con¬ 
struction and state of the roads during winter, make horse and 
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