LETTER xx TEMPTING OFFERS 97

told Aziz to remove the clot from the wound, they
insisted that she would bleed to death, and so the pros
and cons went on till Aziz said, " The Khanum shall do
it, these Feringhi Hakims know everything." To be re-
garded as a Hakim on the slenderest possible founda-
tion is distressing, but to be regarded as a " vet" without
any foundation at all is far worse.

However, the clot was removed, and though the
wound was three inches long there was still no relief,
and Aziz said solemnly, " Now do what you think best."
Very gradual pressure at the back of the leg brought out
a black solid mass weighing fully a pound. " God is
great!" exclaimed the bystanders. " May God forgive
your sins !" cried Aziz, and fell at my feet with a genuine
impulse of gratitude. He insists that " a pound of flesh "
came out of the swelling. The wound is now syringed
every few hours, and Aziz is learning how to do this,
and to dress it. The mare can both eat and sleep, and
will soon 'be well.

This evening Aziz said that fifteen tumans would be
the charge for curing his mare, and that, he says, is my
present to him. He told me he wanted me to consider
something very thoroughly, and not to answer hastily.
He said, " We're a poor people, we have no money, but
we have plenty of food. We have women who take out
bullets, but in all our nation there is no Hakim who
knows the wisdom of the Feringhis. Your medicines are
good, and have healed many of our people, and though a
Kafir we like you well and will do your bidding. The
Agha speaks of sending a Hakim among us next year,
but you are here, and though you are old you can ride,
and eat our food, and you love our people. You have
your tent, Isfandyar Khan will give you a horse of pure
pedigree, dwell among us till you are very old, and be
our Hakim, and teach us the wisdom of the Feringhis."

VOL. II II