Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/52

44 nailed upon the threshold. These are the principal superstitious usages of the Turcomans. I was surprised to find how few they were."—Merv; a Story of Adventures and Captivity (epitomised from The Merv Oasis), by Edmund O'Donovan. London, 1883, p. 192. "Tooniks" mentioned also p. 284.

"Supper cleared away, we sat in the gloaming looking out over the dimly-lit plain, listening to the lowing and bleating of the homeward-driven flocks and herds as they entered the various walled enclosures where they were placed for safety during the night. A curious Turcoman superstition here came under my notice. As, lost in reverie, I sat by the window, half-unconsciously I commenced whistling softly some snatches of tunes. I noticed a general movement of dissatisfaction among my companions. They shifted in their seats, looked uneasily at each other and at me. At length Makdum Kuli touched me on the shoulder and said, 'For God's sake. Sahib, don't whistle any more.' I feared that I had unwittingly committed some great breach of decorum, and, accordingly, excusing myself, relapsed into silence. After a while I whispered to the moullah beside me, and asked why Makdum Kuli objected to my whistling. 'Is it possible you don't know,' returned the priest, 'that at this hour the ghouls and gins are abroad, and are wandering to and fro? If they hear you whistle, they will suppose you are calling them; and, Bismallah, we have no desire for their company.' I afterwards learned that to whistle in the day-time is a token of defiance, and not considered proper when others are by."—Ibid. pp. 255-256.

"Before starting the next morning some Turcomans applied to me for medical advice and assistance, as was generally the case when- ever I appeared at any of the outlying villages. One brought with him his son, whose hand was badly inflamed. I prescribed a poultice of bread and milk, and gave detailed instructions as to how it was to be made. The man listened with attention, and, thanking me, took his leave. When he had gone half a mile, he came back again to say