Page:Thirty-five years in the East.djvu/103

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST.
63

had given us; but they frightened us, by saying that there-were robbers in the environs, and on our road. Yet they promised to give us an escort, on account of which we were detained until the next day, as the equipment of our escort required some delay. Meanwhile, orders were given in the fortress of Akrabad to surprise aud rob us in the mountains. It was fortunate for us that a part of the garrison ot the fortress was absent, and those soldiers who were present had not their muskets in order, consequently, they were unable to contend with us. Neither would it have been an easy matter for them to defeat us, provided as we were with good arms, and determined to oppose any attack. The soldiers themselves were aware of this cricumstance, consequently, they thought it more advisable to allure us into the fortress, and plunder us during the night, and I there experienced the truth of the saying, "Man must not despair in misfortune, neither be proud when in pros- perity." I patiently allowed my hands to be secured,, whilst I kept a small double-barrelled pistol loaded, in one of my high boots. At a favorable moment, my guide, Kafileh Bashi Kheiat, tried to liberate me, for which he received a sabre-stroke on his thick fur, happily, however, without being wounded. The robbers thought we had a great quantity of gold and silver concealed, and demanded 1,000 rupees for my ransom; but a man of the Nawaub's, to whose care I was committed, effected my release for four pounds of rice, which was weighed in their presence. The fact was, that this set of robbers were urged on by their hunger as well as by their want of money. After having given them all I had in my possession, their chief was reconciled. Laying one hand on the Koran, he produced with the other the order that had been issued for having me plundered, which was from the Governor of Bamian ; all the things which were taken from me were enumerated. On my arrival on the other side of the mountain, I immediately dispatched a man with letters to the Nawaub, in which I described the ill-treatment I had sustained. I was afterwards informed that the Nawaub had reprimanded