. From the killing of Bobe until the present time they have been
trying to kill the Shah. In their first attempt they failed, but a year
ago while the Shah was worshiping in the most holy place of the mosque,
he became the victim of a fanatic Bobe who had disguised himself as a
woman. This Bobe, while under disguise, shot the king, who died two
minutes afterward. Some thought that the government would again
persecute them, but there were some hindrances which would not permit
this. In the first place their religion is kept secret; it is
impossible to know who belongs to this new sect. Secondly, many of the
high classes and royal officers belong to this sect, and for this
reason it would be impossible to persecute them. Thirdly, their number
to-day would reach two hundred thousand, and to kill this immense
company would certainly damage the government. Their antagonism against
the government and against orthodox Mohammedanism is caused entirely by
the lack of freedom of religious worship.

They are very warm friends of the Christians, placing in them the
greatest confidence, sometimes they will even lodge in the houses of
Christians and eat with them without questioning. This a strict
Mohammedan would never do. They readily allow the Christians to preach
to them and to discuss religion with them. Yet it is not an easy matter
to convert them, for one must know their manner of life and religious
doctrines to successfully meet their arguments. A few however have been
truly converted. This filled the Mohammedans with hatred both against
the Christians and the converts. When the Christian shows the
superiority of Christ and of His doctrine over that of their prophet
Bobe, they are forced into silence. They are now securing many converts
from Mohammedanism, and it is believed that the time will come when
religious toleration will be obtained by them. This will also give the
Christians a good opportunity of preaching the gospel.

CHAPTER II.

THE KURDS.

The Kurds are the wildest tribe of nomads in all Asia. They have been
known in Europe as raiders for a long time, and during the past two
years they have attracted the attention of the civilized world by their
horrible massacre of the Armenians. It may be of interest to the reader
to know something more of the life of this tribe. A former student of
the writer who spent several years among the Kurds as a physician, and
who mastered their language and is intimately a