"It was towards morning when I went out of the gate of the city, accompanied only by my nephew. We concealed ourselves in a corn field till the evening, and then, though worn out with hunger, anxiety, and fatigue, we took the road leading to Sheher-Sebz.[152] I was bare-footed, and unaccustomed to walk; but my situation gave me a power of exertion beyond what I could have believed; and after a most distressing and dangerous journey we arrived at that city, the ruler of which, Niyâz Ali, moved by the account of my sufferings, treated me with kindness and distinction.
"I remained six months at Sheher-Sebz, with a heart painfully anxious for my family; but knowing that I was pursued by the rancorous hatred of Beggee Jân, and being satisfied that though Niyâz Ali had not the means to defend me, he would never be so base as to give me up, I chose to relieve him from the embarrassment my presence created. When I intimated my intention to leave him, he expressed much regret, as he feared that my powerful enemy might succeed in seizing me. He suggested, as the best chance of escape, that I should go to Narbotta Beg, the Prince of Ourat Teppah, which I accordingly did.
"Soon after my departure, Beggee Jân attacked Sheher-Sebz, and demanded that I should be given up; but the generous Niyâz Ali concealed my having left him, till he heard of my safe arrival at Ourat Teppah, when he announced my flight, and the attack of his city was abandoned.
"After remaining some months at Ourat Teppah, I desired to leave it, but the prince would not consent, until he heard that my enemy was secretly employing agents to murder his guest. His knowledge of the devotion of the Oosbegs to their sovereign made him have the most serious fears for my life and his own honour, if I continued within reach of these assassins. To save both, he had recourse to an extraordinary expedient.
"He took my nephew and me with him on one of his hunting parties, and privately asked me in what direction I wished to proceed. I told him I desired to visit the court of Zemân Shâh. He immediately (without informing any one) placed us in two large trunks, which were put on camels and sent away as merchandise on the road towards Thibet.[153]
"After we were beyond the reach of Beggee Jân we visited many towns in Tartary; but on our arrival at Thibet, I learnt that Abdûlla Khan, governor of Cashmere, had rebelled, and the country was consequently in a state of confusion. I was therefore compelled to take the road of Bedekshan, and the mountains of Siyâh Posh,[154] dressed as a Fakeer; and under this disguise I arrived safe at Cabool, after having encountered a thousand distresses and dangers.
"When I arrived at this city I did not deem it prudent to reveal myself. Zemân Shâh and his vizier were gone to Herat, and Fatteh Ali Shâh, king of Persia, was at Meshed. I continued a poor wandering mendicant for some time in Cabool. I often saw noblemen of high rank, with whom I was well acquainted, without their having the slightest recollection of their former friend. At this period I had almost died from want of food; and my distresses were increased by my nephew being afflicted with worms in his feet, which disabled him from walking. I had to support him along from place to place, when I was myself sinking with hunger and fatigue. I one day went to the house of an old friend to ask relief, but he was not at home. His servants directed me to the câravânserâi of Aga Mahomed of Koom. I went thither, and stopped near the room in which was lodged Hajee Hoosein Abeer, a merchant whom I had formerly employed and favoured. I stayed there some time, till, mistaking me for a beggar, he bade me go away, saying he had nothing to give me. I thought he recognized, but would not acknowledge me in my distress, and I went away with a heavy but proud heart from the door of a man whom, I immediately afterwards found, was at the very time disbursing large sums on agents, whom he had sent in different directions to ascertain my fate, in order to contribute to my relief.
"Having seated myself at some distance from the câravânserâi, a native of Meshed passed, who had long been in my service. He no sooner cast his eyes upon me, than he recognized his old master in spite of my disguise, and threw himself at my feet. The moment he arose, he hastened to the room of Hajee Hoosein Abeer, who instantly returned with him; and after thanking God for this accidental discovery of one to whom he owed such benefits, he begged me to accompany him to his apartment. From that moment my sufferings were at an end. I was provided with clothes, horses, and every thing that I required, and proceeded towards Candahar in the character of a merchant; having strictly enjoined those who knew me, not to disclose my name or rank.