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CHAPTER XIII.
An unexpected meeting—Rumours of massacre at Yeni Khan—Crossing
Chamli Bel—Villages in hiding—Turkish recruits on Chamli Bel
The affair at Yeni Khan—Prompt measures—The Moslem mood —
Circassians and the Evil Eye— Roadside prayer— The corvee in
operation—The "Place of Willows Khan."
Just as I was leaving Chiftlik Khan a dusty araha
drove up from the south at a great pace. The
driver appeared to think that his passenger's quality
required style, so he swung into the khan-ysivdi at
full speed, with cracking whip and jingle of harness,
and manner of unmistakable importance. As the
vehicle turned off the road I caught sight of a
figure within, wrapped in heavy furs, and a dog
beside it. A traveller of strange tastes, I thought,
to drag a dog about with him in a country so
cursed with dogs.
I had not gone a dozen paces before uproar came
from the khan. It broke out as if upon a signal.
Dogs were barking furiously, the Ma?i-keeper and
his man shouting, there were heavy blows on boarded
walls. It all sounded as if a wild scrimmage were
proceeding, yet I knew there were but four men
in the building, including the two new-comers. I
could not imagine what was taking place. And
then, deepening the mystery and giving me a
personal interest in the matter, came as hearty a
round of English oaths as any one need hear : if
called by name I could not have returned to the