Being in a garrulous mood, he allowed us
little time to reply, and went on with a string of compliments. Of the
state of his own country he said, "There is now a general fermentation
throughout all the districts of Aheer. The people have thrown off the
yoke of their sultans or magistrates, and the roads are infested with
bands of robbers." In fact, it would appear that the inhabitants of this
out-of-the way kingdom have just fallen into the crisis of a revolution.
What grievances brought about this state of things we have not yet
learned; but, unfortunately for us, we have arrived at a most insecure
season.
Of the people of his own district the Sultan said, "You have nothing to
fear from them, except that thieves may come in the night. Beware of
them; and fall upon any one who may come near your tents after dark.
There may be people who will slink from the neighbouring towns to rob
you; take care and watch during the night." Upon this I asked him for a
couple of servants as guards, but he replied that it was not necessary.
Of the Tanelkums he observed: "It will be better when they are gone, for
many strangers come to them, known neither to you nor to me; and they
may rob you." This was an excellent observation, for on the road I
always found that the Haghar strangers, the bandits, and all the idle,
low characters, who might follow the caravan, never failed to make
friends with our Tanelkums, and thus gained a footing to carry on their
treacherous designs.
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