and on the second of March arrived nearly blinded with the glare of the snow which lay on the ground throughout his journey at Casbin, a famous residence of the ancient kings of Persia, where was a new palace built by Nadir Shah. From this point he was able to join a company going to the camp of the Shah, who was reported to be marching towards Hamadan. Finally he arrived at the Shah's camp, and the adventurous English merchant pitched his tent near the royal standard, and delivered a petition to the Shah, praying to be reimbursed the value of his caravan. In this he was so far successful that the Shah issued a decree that the particulars of his loss should be delivered to the commander-in-chief, who was to return such parts of the goods as could be recovered, and make up the deficiency out of the sequestered estates of the rebels. This decree, however, made it necessary to return to Astrabad, the scene of his former travels; but his zeal for the cause in which he had embarked, overcame every obstacle.
The wanderer's return journey was scarcely less adventurous than the previous one. He passed again safely through Langarood, in company with six men well armed; but the first evening afterwards they were benighted, and lost their way in a wood. At length discovering a light, they made towards the place, and found a house barricaded with trees. Having made use of every entreaty to persuade the master of it to conduct them on their journey, without effect, the guards proceeded, like true Persians, to break into the house, and, tying a rope to one of his arms, compelled him to conduct them. This outrage being the effect of mere necessity, the benevolent Hanway took care to
