Between the Kh[=a]n’s dwelling and the gate was the mosque, whose minarets towered above the walls and bastions of the fort,—­its dome was beautifully proportioned, and inlaid with agate, jasper, and carnelian, besides being wonderfully painted with representations of strange animals unknown to the common people, but which the Moollah affirmed were all taken from the life.

At this time the base of the mosque was occupied by a party of men smoking and passing the Kalee[=a]n to each other; amongst them was one, evidently superior to the rest in age and wisdom, for his opinion was frequently appealed to by all and listened to with much deference.  When not called upon to interfere he sat quiet and reserved, and to judge by his countenance was in a melancholy mood.  His name was Rhejjub;—­he was the oldest retainer of the family, and to him in all cases of emergency did the Kh[=a]n apply for advice, which had never been given without due deliberation and almost prophetic foresight.  He had only that morning been deputed to remain and guard the fort during the absence of his master, and although he knew it to be a post of honor and trust, yet he could not but consider it an effeminate duty to be left guardian of the Koch-khanah or family, and superintendent of the unchosen of the band.  With him, “to hear was to obey,” still he envied those who had been selected to accompany their lord.  Old Rhejjub had been a great traveller in his day; had wandered over many portions of Arabia, and visited the holy city of Mecca; thus gaining the valuable privileges of a Suyud or holy man, which title alone was a passport and safeguard amongst even the lawless Ghilgyes and Khyberr[=e]es of Affghanist[=a]n, it being a greater crime for a man to kill a Suyud than even his own father.  Thus, whenever a Chuppao or other warlike expedition was in contemplation, Rhejjub was invariably despatched to reconnoitre and obtain information, and being a man of a shrewd turn of mind, and calculating all chances during his homeward journey, was always prepared after detailing his news to give a sound opinion as to the best plan to be pursued.

At early dawn of the proposed day of departure the whole party were summoned by the Muezzin’s call to offer up prayers for their safe arrival at the “Dragon’s Mouth,” for the effectual cure of the young Abdoollah, and his happy return to his fond mother.  Before mounting, was performed the ceremony of taking from its resting place the famous sword given to the Kh[=a]n’s grandfather by Nadir Shah himself.  The blade was of Damascus steel, and valued alone at one hundred tomauns;[*] the ivory handle was ornamented with precious stones, and the pommel was one large emerald of great beauty and value.  The scabbard was of shagreen finely embroidered in gold.  This precious weapon the Suyud had the enviable office of presenting to his chief unsheathed, whilst the aged Moollah who stood by read aloud the inlaid Arabic inscription on the blade, “May this always prove as true a friend to thee as it has been to the donor.”  The Kh[=a]n received the valued heir-loom with all due respect, and kissing the weapon sheathed and fixed it firmly to his belt.