Burnes, Alexander: Travels into Bokhara: containing the narrative of a voyage on the Indus from the sea to Lahore, ... and an account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary and Persia ; performed by order of the supreme government of India, in the years 1831, 32, and 33 (Band 3) (London, 1835)

chap. xiii. INCREASED CARAVAN.

57

rukhs at sunrise. The Toorkmuns maintained their
character to the last. After giving us leave, and
agreeing to tax us at the first stage, they waited
till we had fairly started, and then sent orders to stop
the caravan. They demanded a tilla and a half on
every camel; which is the customary transit duty for
an escort to the Persian frontier. The party came
only a few miles, and then returned, tired of escort-
ing ; nor were we sorry to get so well rid of them.
Our caravan had now been increased by the junction
of two others, which had come up during our stay,
and formed a numerous body; but I fear there were
more timid than fighting hearts among us. There
were men, women, and children; merchants, tra-
vellers, pilgrims, and emancipated slaves. There were
Uzbeks, Arabs, Persians, Afghans, Hindoos, Jews,
natives of Budukhshan and Cashmeer; Toorks and
Toorkmuns; a Nogai Tatar, a wandering Kirghiz from
Pameer, and ourselves, natives of Europe. Last, not
least, was a young Persian girl, about fifteen years old,
whom we had picked up at Shurukhs, and who was
said to be of exquisite beauty. She had been cap-
tured by the Toorkmuns ; and her loveliness over-
coming their avarice, she had at first been detained
by her captor. The arrival of our caravan and so
many merchants, however, tempted his cupidity ;
and he offered his charge for sale. A merchant of
Tehran purchased her for seventy-seven golden
tillas ; and the poor girl, who was walking about
a few hours before, and saw and was seen by every
one, was now literally packed up in a pannier. She
had changed her character from slave to wife ; for