The return of his son from this piratical adventure was awaited by Kulkhan with almost the same feelings as those with which a father amongst us would expect his son coming home from an heroic expedition, or other honourable enterprise. He also informed us that we might walk forwards a little way down the banks of the Görghen, for his son {69} was to return about this time, and we should then see something worth seeing. As I had nothing at that moment else to do, I was not displeased to comply with the invitation. I mixed with the crowd which was looking, with the greatest impatience, for the first sight of the party. At last eight mounted Turkomans appeared on the opposite bank, bringing ten led horses with them. I thought that now the expectant multitude would give vent to their enthusiasm in hurrahs, but they uttered no sound; all measured with greedy eyes and speechless admiration those who were approaching. The latter dashed into the Görghen, across which in an instant they swam to the bank on our side, where, dismounting, they extended their hands with indescribable earnestness to their relatives. Whilst the seniors were passing the spoil in review with the greatest attention, the young heroes were occupied in arranging their dress. Lifting their heavy fur caps, they wiped the sweat from head and forehead. The whole spectacle was splendid. Whatever my contempt for the robbers and their abominable doings, my eye fell still with particular pleasure upon these young men, who, in their short riding dresses, with their bold looks, and hair falling to their breasts in curly locks as they laid aside their weapons, were the admiration of all. Even the gloomy Kulkhan seemed cheerful: he introduced his son to us, and after Hadji Bilal had bestowed his benediction upon him, we separated. The next morning we were to proceed from Gömüshtepe, accompanied by Kulkhan, his son, and stolen horses, to Etrek. {70} CHAPTER VI. DEPARTURE FROM GÖMÜSHTEPE CHARACTER OF OUR LATE HOST TURKOMAN MOUNDS OR TOMBS DISAGREEABLE ADVENTURE WITH WILD BOARS PLATEAU TO THE NORTH OF GÖMÜSHTEPE NOMAD HABITS TURKOMAN HOSPITALITY THE LAST GOAT PERSIAN SLAVE COMMENCEMENT OF THE DESERT A TURKOMAN WIFE AND SLAVE ETREK PERSIAN SLAVES RUSSIAN SAILOR SLAVE PROPOSED ALLIANCE BETWEEN YOMUTS AND TEKKE RENDEZVOUS WITH THE KERVANBASHI TRIBE KEM ADIEU TO ETREK AFGHAN MAKES MISCHIEF DESCRIPTION OF KARAVAN. _Gens confinis Hyrcaniae, cultu vitae aspera et latrociniis assueta_.-- Q. Curtii Ruf. lib. vi. cap. 5. [Departure from Gömüshtepe; Character of our late Host]