The latter, in true chalvadar [E] fashion, were stretched out flat on their stomachs fast asleep, their heads lolling over their animals, arms and legs dangling helplessly, while the caravan roamed about the track unchecked, banging their loads against each other, to the silent discomfiture of the unfortunate mourners.
[Illustration: A CORPSE CARAVAN] Koom is said to cover nearly twice as much ground as Shiraz, but more than half the city is in ruins, the Afghans having destroyed it in 1722.

The principal buildings are mainly composed of mosques and sepulchres (for Koom is second only to Meshed in sanctity), but most of them are in a state of decay and dilapidation.

The mosque containing the Tomb of Fatima is the finest, its dome being covered with plates of silver-gilt--the natives say of pure gold.

The sacred character of this city is mainly derived from the fact that Fatima, surnamed "El Masouna" ("Free from sin"), died here many years ago.

The tradition is that Fatima was on her way to the city of Tus, whither she was going to visit her brother, Imam Riza.