Page:Kennedy, Robert John - A Journey in Khorassan (1890).djvu/56

 the main street, the Khiaben, which is about 2700 yards long, through the bazaars, where much hot and even angry discussion arose as to whether the occupants of the side-saddles were men or women, and finally dismounted at 11.40 at General MacLean's house, where, for the first time for nearly a fortnight, we sat down at a table to a comfortable luncheon, instead of crouching upon the floor.

At Meshed we remained eight days, and recruited our strength in the hospitable house of General MacLean. It is impossible for us to do justice in words to all his kindness towards us. The greater part of the large, rambling, Persian house which he temporarily occupies, was given up to our use, all his servants and horses were placed at our disposal, and every morning early he himself would prepare, and serve personally at our bedroom door, an excellent 'pick-me-up,' most appropriately termed 'the Doctor,' which consisted of eggs shaken up in milk, and strengthened by a proper mixture of unlimited whiskey and curaçoa. A drink of this nature, made and served by the war-worn hands of a distinguished