CHAPTER IV.
PATCHINAR--TEHERAN.
Our troubles commenced in real earnest at Patchinar, a desolate-looking place and filthy post-house, which was reached at sunset.

The post from Teheran had just arrived, in charge of a tall strapping fellow armed to the teeth, in dark blue uniform and astrachan cap, bearing the Imperial badge, the lion and sun, in brass.
The mail was ten days late, and had met with terrible weather on the Kharzan.

They had passed, only that morning, two men lying by the roadway, frozen to death.

The poor fellows were on their way to Teheran from Menjil, and had lain where they fell for two or three days.

"You had far better have remained at Resht," added our informant, unpleasantly recalling to my mind the colonel's prophecy, "You will be sorry for this to-morrow!" Notwithstanding hunger and vermin, we managed to enjoy a tolerable night's rest.