36 "2. The pilgrims number altogether 534-388 men, 114 women and 32 children-of whom 9 are infants in arms. Excluding these latter, the numbers of each tribe are as follows:- Malabári Moplahs 33 Central Asians 145 Afgháns 74 Sindhis 35 Bengális 118 Panjábi Patháns 78 Hindustánis 42 525 "3. They arrived at Násik Station in a special train on Monday the 21st instant at 3 P.M. They were then counted and medically inspected, their baggage being meanwhile put into carts and sent down to the camp. The old men, women and children were then seated in other carts, and the whole body marched down to the camp, escorted by the British troops and Bombay Police sent with them and a force of the Násik Police. The camp was completely ready for their reception, and having sorted out their baggage, they soon settled down in the rows of huts provided for them. Supplies of all kinds were then served out to them, and by 9 P.M. they were all cooking their evening meal. Next morning I found them very well and cheerful, much satisfied with their treatment. They were then divided into messes with a mukádam to each mess, who alone comes to draw rations. This plan has ensured despatch and uniform distri- bution, preventing any confusion and crowding. Dr. Street then inspected them and the camp generally and expressed satisfaction with their condition and all the arrangements for them. "4. The strictest isolation possible is observed. The British troops guard the camp night and day and naturally form a most efficient cordon. No outsiders are admitted save the supervis- ing officers, the police guards and the minimum number of men required to bring in suppliess. The sweepers I keep inside the camp, and I make the pilgrims do most of their own water- carrying, many of them having gladly volunteered for 4 annas a day. "5. Nothing noteworthy occurred till Thursday morning, when I found the Central Asians weeping and wailing at the prospect of being sent back to their homes. Many of them live in Chinese territory, and the journey thither is very long and arduous. The roads and passes too at this time of year are blocked with snow. Till the Protector of Pilgrims returned them their passage-money, they had not apparently realized that all their months' long toil was wasted, and their excitement was intense. They have drawn up a petition and sent it to the Commis- sioner of Police, Bombay. I am getting a copy of it from the Protector of Pilgrims. They want to be kept at Pesháwar or elsewhere in India till the Haj is allowed again and then railed down to Bombay. In the circumstances their request seems to merit consideration. "6. Yesterday morning, I regret to say, Dr. Street found during his inspection a suspicious case of illness. The patient, a Malábri Moplah, was at once isolated in a special shed and kept under observation. In the evening Dr. Street diagnosed plague, and I immediately had the sufferer removed from the camp to the special plague shed erected in the vicinity of the railway station, telegraphing the fact to the Civil Surgeon. The man is now lying there under treat- ment. One of his friends is with him and a police guard is watching that they do not go away. "7. This morning there was no fresh case and all were well. I learnt that they were a little uneasy about the removal of the sick man to hospital, and that one of the Afgháns had been heard muttering. I am having them watched, and should they appear to be inclined to give trouble, I will separate them from the rest and put a special guard over them. The occur- rence of this one case of plague means ten days' more quarantine from yesterday. As five days have now elapsed since the pilgrims arrived from Bombay, I trust no more cases will occur." The numbers given in paragraph 2 of the above letter are, it should be stated, not quite accurate, and the following table supplies details as to the num- bers, sex and residences of the various batches of pilgrims received in the camp on the 22nd February: Serial number of batch. Description of batch. Serial number of country or district. Name of Country or district. Number of Remarks Men. Women Children Infants. Total. I Central Asians. 1 Bokhára 17 17 2 Mergalan 27 5 3 35 A-Subjects of the Czar of Russia. 3 Andejan 19 1 1 21 4 Naurangan 2 2 5 Khokand 13 13 6 Taskand 1 1 7 Kashgar 38 2 40