Altogether I never saw a more unearthly set of creatures; they were perfect illustrations of my childish ideas of devils-horns, tails, and all, excepting the hoofs.

They were our escort, furnished by Kamrasi to accompany us to the lake! Fortunately for all parties, the Turks were not with us on that occasion, or the Satanic escort would certainly have been received with a volley when they so rashly advanced to compliment us by their absurd performances.
We marched till 7 P.M.over flat, uninteresting country, and then halted at a miserable village which the people had deserted, as they expected our arrival.

The following morning I found much difficulty in getting our escort together, as they had been foraging throughout the neighborhood; these "devil's own" were a portion of Kamrasi's troops, who considered themselves entitled to plunder ad libitum throughout the march; however, after some delay they collected, and their tall chief approached me and begged that a gun might be fired as a curiosity.

The escort had crowded around us, and as the boy Saat was close to me I ordered him to fire his gun.

This was Saat's greatest delight, and bang went one barrel unexpectedly, close to the tall chief's ear.