The New York herald., 1873-11-29
KHlvA-NO. 8.

KHLvA, sept: l6 iSls
We had been here three da vs. how at Sheik Ark, !
the army crossing rapidly as possible, when sud-
denly the Khivans ceased bringing in supplies. AS
this was the only dependence the army had for
food, it became necessary to take active measures
for procuring supplies. and Kaufman prepared to
put his threat OF foraging into execution. 1t ap-
peared that the troops OF the Khan, having recoy-
cred at last from their fright at the aar Of Sheik-
Ark had returned to the neighborhood and threat
ened with death anybody who should bring in sup
plies to the Russians Kaufman, therefore, sent
out recommending and foraglng party, under
the command OF Colonel Cherkovsky, consisting of
two companies OF infantry, or 800 men, two little
iour-pounders and 200 Cossacks. The Cossacks
were to do the foraging, bat not to take anything
by force which could be had for money They had
privilege to pilage any abandoned houses they
might nnd, and the ofilcer In command was to in
form the inhabitants that II they did not imme
diately bring in supplies for money he would send
and take them for nothing. The infantry was to
advance into the interior, reconnoitre the ground
and endeayor to find ana feel the enemy.
THE GARDENS OF KHIvA
We marched out OF camp about noon, and, after
crossing the short space OF country between us
and the gardens, and which was cut up in every
direction by canals we crossed a bridge over y
deep and narrow canal. and, advancing along a
broad and well kept but dusty road, soon found
ourselves in the renowned gardens OF Khiva.
vision OF beauty and enchantment, such
as even by book-fed imagination we never
expected to see, broke upon view.
The change was sudden from the redhot glare
OF the sand to the cool shade and fresh green
verdure which greeted our weary eyes, the little
fields OF waving grain, fruit trees OF all kinds
bending under their loads OF ripe and green fruits,
tail, noble old elms spreading their long arms and
thick green foliage and the dark, cool shade over
little pools Of water, gray, battlemented walls OF
the houses and farm yards peepng out from among
the trees and the newness, the strangeness OF the
place, the mystery hanging over 1t, its isolation
and impenetrability, made us survey the scene
that was thus opened for the first time the gaze
OF Europeans with delight and admiration only
eqnalled by that OF Columbus wnen first setting
foot In a new world. There were mulberry trees
holding out their rich, luscious berries over the
road Tor us to eat from our horses backs; apple
trees, with their mass Of dark green foliage ;
apricot trees aglow with the rosy bloom OF their
delicate. delicious fruit; cherries, cleaning rich
and red among their dark green leaves; tall young
popars lifting their slender forms against the sky.
and streams Of water, shaded with bushes run
ming about in every direction. Itseemed to be as
thickly populated as Belgium; farmnouses could
or 900 yards OF each other.
HOME LIPE IN CENTRAL ASIA.
This part OF the country Is inhabited by the
Usbegs Their houses and farm yards are enclosed
with heavy walls, from is to 20 feet high strength
ened with pillars placed at regular intervals, and
strong corner towers, and are entered by an
arched and covered gateway, closing with very
heavy wooden gate. They are all built on the same
rectangular plan, from rs TO rs yards square, each
farmhouse being little fortress in itself far more
formidable than the one at Shcik-Arik, and are
actually built TO serve that purpose against the
Turcomans, who nearly every year make raids on
their Usbcg neighbors. The walls are composed Of
mud, but OF certain kind that gets comparatively
hard and 1t is not worked up in,o sman bricks like
the adobes OF the Mexicans, but into huge blocks
like granite three or four feet square and as many
thick Inside OF this rcctangle which contains the
stables for horses, CATTLE sheep, and, In fact, all
their live stock as well as the dwelling Of the In
habtants, is always little pool OF clean water, 30
or 40 feet square and shaded Dy three or four large
eIms. The elms OF Khiva are very beautiful. saw
many OF a size and beauty that would make the
heart OF the Autocrat OF the breakfast table" leap
for 10y, and which were probably many hundred
years old, so that the farms containing them can
boast OF great antiquity as many feudal castle
OF Europe. Under these trees, during the summer
the family pass most OF tneir Hme, preparing ana
eating their meals, passing their hours OF ideness
OF which there are good many In the life
OF an Usbeg, while the women weave
and spin the golden threads OF tho SIX
worm. The interior OF their houses is
dark. gloomy and uncomfortable, only lighted by
small holes IN the walls, window glass being un-
known, but very often fitted up with quantity or
carpets bright colored mats, rugs and cushions.
we rode into the nrst farmhouse We came to--thc
rate was standing wide 0pcn-and found three or
eo. ssst,,, ,rt~tfv undor tha alma haatdn In.