Tents were then pitched, and I invited Hussein to partake of refreshment, which was refused.

He accepted a cigarette, however, but seemed undecided whether to smoke or eat it, till presented with a light.

Having asked if I would like to be saluted with guns on arrival, an offer I politely declined, my visitor then left to prepare for our reception on the morrow.
[Illustration: OUR CAMP AT OUTHAL] Daybreak saw us well _en route_ and by 10 a.m.we were in sight of Beila.

About a mile or so out of the city, a mounted sowar in scarlet and gold uniform, and armed with two huge horse-pistols and a long cavalry sabre, galloped up to the caravan.

"It is a messenger from the palace," said Kamoo, "to say that his Highness the Djam has been suddenly called away to Kej, [C] but that his son, Prince Kumal Khan, is riding out in state to meet the sahib, and conduct him to his father's city." The prince shortly afterwards appeared, mounted on a huge camel, the tail and hind quarters of which were ornamented with intricate patterns stamped on the hide by some peculiar process.