On the 17th of June our camp was made near a serai-or traveler’s bungalow. The weather was rather brighter, and Behemoth, who had been worked hard for the last four days, required, if not rest, at any rate some attention. It was therefore agreed that the rest of the day and the following night should be passed in this spot.
The serai or caravanserai, the inn to be found on all the high roads, is a quadrangle of low buildings, surrounding an inner court, and usually surmounted by a tower at each corner, giving it quite an oriental appearance. The attendants in the serai consist of the bhisti, or water-carrier, the cook, who does well enough for travelers who can content themselves with eggs and chickens, and the khansama, or provider of provisions, with whom you must treat, and whose price
