Bander Abbasi, whilst Captain Alex.
Hamilton was in the port; and Abbott, in 1850, found the dread of Biluch
robbers to extend almost to the gates of Ispahan. A striking account of
the Biluch robbers and their characteristics is given by General Ferrier.
(See _Hamilton_, I. 109; _J. R. G. S._ XXV.; _Khanikoff's Memoire; Macd.
Kinneir_, 196; _Caravan Journeys_, p. 437 seq.)

[1] _Khajlak_ is mentioned as a leader of the Mongol raids in India by the
poet Amir Khusru (A.D. 1289; see _Elliot_ III. 527).

[2] Professor Cowell compares the Mongol inroads in the latter part of the
13th and beginning of the 14th century, in their incessant recurrence,
to the incursions of the Danes in England. A passage in Wassaf
(_Elliot_, III. 38) shows that the Mongols were, circa 1254-55,
already in occupation of Sodia on the Chenab, and districts adjoining.

CHAPTER XIX.

OF THE DESCENT TO THE CITY OF HORMOS.

The Plain of which we have spoken extends in a southerly direction for
five days' journey, and then you come to another descent some twenty miles
in length, where the road is very bad and full of peril, for there are
many robbers and bad characters about. When you have got to the foot of
this descent you find another beautiful plain called the PLAIN OF FORMOSA.
This extends for two days' journey; and you find in it fine streams of
water with plenty of date-palms and other fruit-trees. There are also many
beautiful birds, francolins, popinjays, and other kinds such as we have
none of in our country. When you have ridden these two days you come to
the Ocean Sea, and on the shore you find a city with a harbour which is
called HORMOS.[NOTE 1] Merchants come thither from India, with ships
loaded with spicery and precious stones, pearls, cloths of silk and gold,
elephants' teeth, and many other wares, which they sell to the merchants
of Hormos, and which these in turn carry all over the world to dispose of
again. In fact, 'tis a city of immense trade. There are plenty of towns
and villages under it, but it is the capital. The King is called RUOMEDAM
AHOMET. It is a very sickly place, and the heat of the sun is tremendous.
If any foreign merchant dies there, the King takes all his property.

In this country they make a wine of dates mixt with spices, which is very
good. When any one not used to it first drinks this wine, it causes
repeated and violent purging, but afterwards he is all the better for it,
an