Since the region intervening between the Asiatic possessions of Russia and England now claims the attention of the several Governments concerned, and is by the current of progressing events brought prominently before the notice of the politicians of Europe generally, any recent information regarding these countries cannot fail to prove of interest to the general reader. With this conviction, therefore, I venture to set before the public an account of the incidents and experiences of a journey made across this region during last year—from the Indus to the Tigris. In explanation of all shortcomings as to matter and defects as to style, I have to remind the reader that the narrative has been written at odd hours, between the duties of an onerous charge in the principal frontier station of India, without leisure for generalisation, or opportunity for reference to authorities. Further, I am constrained by the force of circumstances to commit my manuscript to the care of the publisher, without the advantage of correcting the proof-sheets in their passage through the press. H. W. B. PESHAWAR, _18th April 1873_. CONTENTS. PAGES INTRODUCTION. Appointment of Mission to Sistan and Tehran—Influence of British and Russian civilisation—Historical Associations—The “sick man” of Asia—Physical features of the region traversed—Climate and inhabitants 1-17 CHAPTER I. Departure from Multán—The Chenáb and the Indus—_Tria juncta in uno_—Interesting fact for naturalists—Shikárpúr—Jacobabad—A plundered _káfila_—Afghan effrontery—Interesting rencontre—Barshori—Sinjarani—Odhána—False alarm—Gandáva—Kotra—Disorderly baggage ponies—Pír Chhatta—Muhammadan credulity 18-39 CHAPTER II. The Míloh Pass—Nah-langa Tangí—The Khánzai Brahoe—Pír Lákha—The Pír and the dragon—Scene of assassination of Sherdil Khán—Khozdár—Roadside memorials—The Brahoe—Brahoe gratitude—The Záwah defile—Scanty supplies 40-71 CHAPTER III. Súráb to Calát—Reception by the Khán—The Court of Calát—Description of Calát—Mundi Hájí—An efficacious charm—Our hostess and the mirror—Mastung—Military honours—Nishpá Pass—Shál Kot—Native custom 72-100 CHAPTER IV. The Kákarrs—The Náib and the Malik—The Afghan Commissioner—The Peshín valley—The Tarins—A numerous relationship—Kojak Pass—Topographical survey—Barghanah Pass—Sháh Ahmad, Durrani—Wool exports—Sardár Mír Afzal Khán—Afghan chivalry—A startling object—American clocks 101-132 CHAPTER V.