272 
SARCHAM. 
that a band of Kurds, too sagacious for detection, and too 
expert in retreat to be traced, were the assassins of our unfor¬ 
tunate countryman. 
The remainder of our road, for this day, lay along a mountain- 
plain, between low bills, and through broken ravines, at the 
north-eastern extremity of which stands the village of Sarcham ; 
a new establishment, built by the son of Mirza Bezourk, the 
present vizier of Abbas Mirza. Its inhabitants are Kurds, who, 
like most of their nation, lead a nomade life in summer, ranging 
about the country in search of pasture for their flocks. The 
river Deezy flows in a northern direction, close to the village ; 
whence it takes a sinuous course, till it meets the Kizzilouzan, 
and becomes one with that fine river. Sarcham lies six farsangs 
from Mianna. About half a mile eastward on the road, stands 
an immense caravansary, built of stone, in.which most of the 
Prince’s horsemen were quartered. As His Royal Highness, 
and his train, would occupy almost every house in the village, 
the inhabitants made room for us, by betaking themselves to 
their summer abodes, the black tents ; a terrible transfer at this 
inclement season. The place is neatly walled and towered, and 
commands a view of an extensive valley, nearly three miles in 
length, through which meanders the river in its way to Sarcham. 
We quitted these elevated lodgings, at eight o’clock next 
morning, in the midst of a violent storm of sleet, rain, and 
snow, accompanied by a piercing easterly wind. The atmosphere 
was so obscure, we could not see twenty yards in any direction. 
Our road lay along the northern side of this upland valley, on 
the bank of the Deezy, which here flowed south-east, and 
where the heights in some measure sheltered us; but in about 
two hours we turned due north, crossing a ridge of high hills 
