But no adequate arrangement having been made for the journey, and the sinister motives of the majority contributing to create disorder, they suffered exceedingly on the way, and before they reached Odessa, two thirds had died."1 The number of the colonists, in 1832, was about two thousand, but their enterprise had not been successful.
1 _Missionary Researches in Armenia_, vol.i.p.

264.
On the way from Echmiadzin to Tabriz, a distance of nearly two hundred and fifty miles, Mr.Smith suffered greatly from illness.
When seventy miles from that city, his strength gave out entirely, so that he could go no farther with the conveyances then at command.
His life was probably saved by Mr.Dwight's sending a messenger to the gentlemen of the English embassy at Tabriz, requesting the aid of a takhtirewan, the only native carriage known to the Persians.

It resembles a sedan-chair, except in being borne by two mules or horses, and closed from the external air, and in requiring a lying posture.

The vehicle soon arrived; but was preceded by Dr.McNeill, the physician and first assistant of the embassy, who then commenced those acts of kindness which ever endeared him to the Nestorian mission.

Colonel McDonald, the ambassador, had lately died, and Dr.
McNeill was soon obliged to leave for Teheran.