The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-27
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY JUNE IT. 187s-rR1PLE SHEET

O1N II n, 1910. I'LL LIN
the Khan. The Khan sent word that he would send
them an army, but that first they must deliver
up ali the Russians who were in the country.
Somebody gave information that we were at
Ak-Djulpas, and the Kirgbeez chief was ordered
to bring us 10 Khiva. We had then been there
about three weeks. for we dared not 90 farther
south, and We were trading in small wares with
the Kirghcezes. Besides myself ana this young fell
low, Zoton, there was another man who was sent
back to Russia a year ago. Well, the Kirgheezes
came on us suddenly in great number and took
us. The two Cossacks who were at the station ran
away and got OIL, but afterwards Colonel Rakim
was killed there. We were
PUT ON HORSEBACK,
and had to travel night and day for four or five
days to Khiya, around the west side OF the Aral
Sea. The Kirgheezes treated us well enough. as they
wanted to bring US In alive; but had very little
water and were almost starved. We were all worn
out with riding so far. When we got there we were
put up for sale, and many people came
and looked at us, and felt OF us to see
II we were strong. Finally, the Khan him.
self sent and bought us Tor $50 tillas apiece,
or about five hundred roubles. We were then sent
to one OF the Summer palaces OF the Khan, and
set to work in the gardens. There we found sew
eral other Russians; some as gardeners and others
carpenters, and doing what they were best ut for.
At the beginning they shaved our heads and cut
OF our mustaches, and wanted to force us to be-
come Mohammcdans But, finally, the Khan said
that we ought to do as we chose, and need not be
forced, SO that after that we were lett in peace.
THE KHAN
himself Is young man. twenty-six years old, very
mild and good-natured, but he is very weak. and
cnnfr lad ua fro xuhc o1oc do
bad things. The government Is very bad and des-
potic, and II the Khan had his own way he would
have released US long ago. He often used to walk
in the garden. and sometimes talked to us pleas
antly. lie does almost nothing and rarely goes
hunting, but amuses himself with his wives and
dancing boys. We were not very badly treated,
except at first, and often went into the city and to
the bazaar, We had the same food as the Persian
slaves, and In general lived much as they did.
should think there were
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PERSIAN SLAVES THERE.
We dressed like the rest OF the people, and no
one ever troubled us when we went out or course
II we had tried to run away we would have been
hung at once. But Ii we could manage to save
money 1t was possible to buy ourselves; that is,
we must buy another slave to take our place, and
then we would be free, but we never could leave
the country. There were some Russians there who
had been there long time. Some had become
Mohammedans and had married several wives and
there was one old man who had been taken on
Perotrsky's expedition. Many OF these Russians
had entirely forgotten how to talk Russian; they
only remembered their prayers, and they said
them much better than we could. The laws are
very strict in Khlva. and every day somebody is
hanged or has his head cut of. II one man
COMPLAINS AGAINST HIS DEBTOR,
and the debit c m q "a hn do
MES ii but If 1t is not proved. and the man does
not confess when tortured. then the creditor is
hanged. When man is found with woman both
are executed.
We always were in hopes OF being released, and
when we heard OF the advance OF the Russians we
thought that now our time was come. When the
Khan knew that the Russians were sending an
army against him ne wanted to give in at once,
but the Divan-Begees would not let him. They first
sent one Embassy to Constantinope and then one
to India. Really 1t is to the English that we owe
our release, and we are very grateful to them.
THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND
said to the Khivan Ambassador, s.Tell your Khan
that he is himself to blame and that cannot help
him. Let him first release the Russian prisoners
and then the 900 Persian slaves he has, and then
perhaps can do some thing. But he must do this
first" II have reason to consider this part Of
BurnaSneHS story apOcrypnal.) Inc Embassy
came back, and within five days we were all re-
leased The Khan sent to every man new Ehalat,
but we would not believe our good luck till we had
reached here. We always thought there was a
trick in 1t. We came up the east side OF the Aral
Sea, close to the sea, and did not meet the ex-
petition. We were treated well enough, but for
ten days had no water but melted snow. We were
thirty days on the road.
KHIyA is A VERY POOR COJrNTRy
and fruit and even grain Is brought from Bokhara.
Twice, when the harvests were bad, the prices
were very high, and many people died. The city
is very dirty and unpleasant. All the houses are
small and OF mud and the streets are very narrow.
The Russian army Will take the city at once. The
walls are only Of mud, and very thin; you can dig
holes in them with your hand. There are afew old
cannon, but very bad, and the Khvans do not
know how to use them. Not long ago they filed
one full OF powder and 1t burst and killed twenty
five men. They are not on the walls, but in front
Of the Khan's palace. There is no regular army but
people are hired by the month at 10 tiahs apiece.
Some have swords, some axes or spears and some
matchlocKs. They will run away at once"
FORT PEROFFsKy, on SIR-DARIA, orr
JAxARrES RIVER April 30, 1873
am now able to give you some particulars about
the movements Of the expedition from Tashkent,
which Is under the immediate command or Gen.
era von Hartmann General Won Kaufmaun-who