DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15173#0089
chap. in. PRECAUTIONARY ARRANGEMENTS. 71
a lawless race, and alighted at that village, which
is nearly deserted, from the constant inroads of the
Seiks. The chief immediately waited upon us, and
expressed his dissatisfaction at our having purchased
some articles from the bazar, since it was a reflec-
tion on his hospitality. I begged his pardon, and
placed the mistake on my ignorance of Afghan
customs, adding, that I would not forget, as I ad-
vanced, the hospitality of the Khuttuks of Acora.
The chief took his leave, charging us, before his
departure, to consider ourselves as secure as eggs
under a hen; a homely enough simile, the truth of
which we had no reason to doubt. Yet it was at
this place that Mr. Moorcroft and his party en-
countered some serious difficulties, and were obliged
to fight their way. We here received a second and
most friendly letter from the chief of Peshawur,
which was truly satisfactory, since it had been writ-
ten before he had got any of the letters of intro-
duction which we forwarded. It intimated that a
person was approaching to conduct us.
We had now quitted the territories of Hin-
doostan, and entered on a land where covetousness
of a neighbour's goods is the ruling passion: we
therefore marched with our baggage. Our few ser-
vants were also divided into regular watches for the
night. We had two Afghans, two Indians, and two
natives of Cashmeer. A Cashmeerian paired with
an Indian, and the trustworthy with the most lazy ;
while we ourselves superintended the posting of the
sentries. Our people laughed heartily at this mili-
tary disposition ; but it was ever after enforced in
f 4
a lawless race, and alighted at that village, which
is nearly deserted, from the constant inroads of the
Seiks. The chief immediately waited upon us, and
expressed his dissatisfaction at our having purchased
some articles from the bazar, since it was a reflec-
tion on his hospitality. I begged his pardon, and
placed the mistake on my ignorance of Afghan
customs, adding, that I would not forget, as I ad-
vanced, the hospitality of the Khuttuks of Acora.
The chief took his leave, charging us, before his
departure, to consider ourselves as secure as eggs
under a hen; a homely enough simile, the truth of
which we had no reason to doubt. Yet it was at
this place that Mr. Moorcroft and his party en-
countered some serious difficulties, and were obliged
to fight their way. We here received a second and
most friendly letter from the chief of Peshawur,
which was truly satisfactory, since it had been writ-
ten before he had got any of the letters of intro-
duction which we forwarded. It intimated that a
person was approaching to conduct us.
We had now quitted the territories of Hin-
doostan, and entered on a land where covetousness
of a neighbour's goods is the ruling passion: we
therefore marched with our baggage. Our few ser-
vants were also divided into regular watches for the
night. We had two Afghans, two Indians, and two
natives of Cashmeer. A Cashmeerian paired with
an Indian, and the trustworthy with the most lazy ;
while we ourselves superintended the posting of the
sentries. Our people laughed heartily at this mili-
tary disposition ; but it was ever after enforced in
f 4