_ 378 _ belonging to the muleteers which we had hired in Lara, and which were carrying our belongings placed in the centre, with fires burning around us. The muleteers told us fearfully that there were many lions in the area and that they were killing animals in the caravans at night while they camped there. But we saw not a single wild animal the entire night, because of the fires and our vigilance. The river of which I spoke runs from east to west and flows into the sea of the Persian Gulf. The following day we left and continued through territory of the same kingdom. Having crossed a mountain range, we found a land with many towns and villages peopled by farmers. Beside them were fortresses, castles built on rocks and rain-water cisterns. These fortresses and castles are built for the protection of the inhabitants who retreat there when they fear an attack by robbers, as they never descend into the town. These robbers are Turkomen, natives of the Kingdom of the Sophy. They move about, living in encampments of round white tents made of sheeting, which is placed above other, woollen tents. Their livelihood is supplied by small cattle which they breed, as well as horses. They are white skinned with red hair. They wear cotton cloth which is padded
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