On going off to the mail-boat in the steam-launch, he vented his feelings of disgust with Persia by spitting over the side towards the land, and saying, 'Ach! ach! what a country! 'May I never see it again!' When I reminded him of Tehran and its club, he acknowledged that he had enjoyed his stay there, and appreciated the place; but the rain and sea of mud at Resht had drowned and smothered all his pleasant memories of Persia.
The voyage to Baku was uneventful.

There are two Astaras, one Persian, the other Russian, with the frontier stream between them.

The steamer remained part of the night at the former place, and moved in the morning three miles to the anchorage opposite the latter.

There the Russian Customs officers came on board to examine luggage.

The first mate of the steamer, a Swedish Finn, attended the search proceedings, and became much interested In a rusty pistol which was found in the luggage of one of the deck passengers.