"They can have my old grey mare for two hundred kerans, but you won't catch me letting her for hire," added a third.
With the aid of our friend, the Jew, however, we finally persuaded the sheepskin gentleman (a native of Khiva) to change his mind.

After considerable haggling as to price, he disappeared, to return with two of the sorriest steeds I ever set eyes on.

"We ought to reach Enzelli in about three days, if we do not get our throats cut," said the Khivan, who was to accompany us, encouragingly.
Hassan had been busy in our absence; he had prepared an excellent pilaff, and sent to Russian Astara for some kaketi wine, which was brought over in a goatskin.

This, with our own provisions bought in the morning, furnished a substantial and much-needed meal.

Persian native bread is somewhat trying at first to a weak digestion.