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 188 EXCURSIONS FROM DAMQHAN TO FRAT AND TAK

from his soldiers and fled as they did from us ; but I imagine that the men were forced to bestir themselves more vigorously when the conqueror's troops scoured the town in search of pro- visions than was the case when we rode quietly about. Never- theless, as a halting-place on the first stage of a march under the hot summer's sun, Tagae, or Tak, doubtless offered much that was acceptable, and we felt rewarded by the visit as we galloped away (the white donkey still in the lead) on our road back to Damghan before taking up our journey anew.

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