Page:Kennedy, Robert John - A Journey in Khorassan (1890).djvu/51

 formal visit from the Persian telegraph clerk, whom we politely entertained with as much grandeur and dignity as our limp condition and wretched surroundings would permit.

Next morning, Tuesday, March 18th, we were awakened by daylight shining through a hole in the roof just above our mattresses, so it was fortunate that no rain fell in the night. On going out about six we were delighted to see a gleam of blue sky, and although the air felt damp and raw and the neighbouring hills were covered with snow, the weather looked better and more hopeful than it had for several days. While waiting for early breakfast we strolled about the town of Nishapūr, which contains now only ten thousand inhabitants, and is a place devoid of interest, with the exception of the celebrated turquoise mines, which are situated twenty-eight miles to the north.

After breakfast we started for a twenty miles ride to Kadamgah, all of us having good horses with the exception of Chivers, who had to content herself with a rough chestnut pony. After going about two miles the wretched little animal fell, and sent his rider headlong into a