The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-03

dividual training Of the men. but 1t would
probably be fatal to tho efficiency OF the Mcrv
forces in anything like a prolonged campaign
against European troops.
Among the Tekke Turcomans OF Merv there
are but two Khans in the proper official sense
Of tho word. which Is synonymous with tribal
chief. But the title Of Khan is given rs q
matter OF courtesy to many OF the descendants
Of former Khans who possess no power In the
State. The Kethkodas are not addressed by
that title. but they. or even simple cansmen.
may receive the honorary title Of "Serdar."
provided they have shown considerable mill
tary skill In the fold. man who has won
renown as q bravo fighter only. without pre-
tensions to technical or strategic skill. is not
styled Serdar. but "Bahadur." The Serdars
form the class from which commanders are
selected in case Of war. No doubt II the Khan
is competent he would naturally direct the
national forces in virtue OF his ONCE. but
should no DO from age or any other cause in
capable Of acting as General. q temporary mill
tary chief would be chosen by the Council
from among the Serdars. Thus. during the
recent war between Russia and the Akhal
Tekkes tho hereditary Khan. Makdum Kuli.
had nominal command Of the forces. but
the active operations outside the walls Of Cock
Tepe were conducted by Tokme Serdar. who
possessed no hereditary rank. but was chosen
General on account OF his known military skill.
Taxes and public treasury were institutions
unknown In Merv at the period OF MIR. O'Dono-
vans visit The traders in the bazaar used to
assess themselves to pay for tho needful repairs
OF the market place. and OF the roads and
bridges adjoining the oasis. These bridges.
however. as we have seen. are merely tree
trunks thrown across the streams and covered
with reeds and earth. A small tax was levied
on the Jews who used stalls In tho bazaar.
and II was applied to the same purposes. The
police expenses were paid by q moderate tax
on each camel load and on each horse or mule
load OF merchandise passing through the terri
tory OF Merv With these exceptions. there were
no public burdens whatever at the time OF Mr..
O'Donovan's sojourn. beyond the compulsory
service in time Of war and the forced labor on
the fortlfcations The chiefs lived on their
private property. without any contributions
from their clansmen. Indeed fixed contribu-
tions Of any kind seem altogether foreign to
Turcoman notions. Even when other tribes
are held in absolute subsection. as the Sailors
are by the Merv Tekkes. no tribute IL exaoted
from them.
Returning for . moment to the narrative OF
Mr.. O'Donovan's personal adventures. we learn
that after being kept for some twenty days In
painful uncertainty regarding tho treatment to
which he was to be subjected. he was at length
informed that. pending the reply to a despatch
sent to the English agent at Meshed. he would
be detained in honorable cautiyity. reply
was aeon received from the British Consul at
Meshod testifvin0 m Aha travel,er,s nationality
and exoneratinp him from the charge Of COM
nlicitv IN the Russian desiUns From that mo-
mont he was treated with much consideration.
and during the four remaining months OF his
stay in the oasis every opportunity Of study
inc tho country and tho neople wos afforded
him. We cannot better illustrate the degree Of
civilization nossessed NV the Merv Turcomans
than bv some eItrncts from the chapters re-
counting a visit TO the bazaar and describing
the cookery and occ,pations ~ the people.
The ordinary diet Of tho Mery Tekkes
ia NJ the most frugal hind. The morn
ING meal xeoernliv oonsists Of fresh baked
cvriddled bread hot from the oven and weak
green tea The women who are astir long be-
fore sunrise. grind the corn In horizontal stone
nniIls and immad,ntelv bake II In ctrc,,Iar m rd
ovans A. midday tbere is another mea, nan
a,Iv NJ breaf and oattuk tcoaouinted boiled
milk, supp,emented perhaps With fresh or in
dur.ted sailed cbeese. During the great heats
many dine on broad With melons oranes or
other fruIts It ia not usual except when en-.
pertaining a ouest or on some festive occasion
10 eat lesh At the midday meal. The principai
meal OF the dAy takes place after shutdown.
Even in a Khan's honse the chief dish consists
Of mutton broth and bread. Tho meat of the
sheen Is generally kent "A long "A possible be-
Hre beine eo,ked When in right condition It
In cut into small pieces and placed. bone and
all. In the not: the resulting broth IL poured
into a dish partly filled with morsels OF bread.
and the meat ia arranged upon the ton.
Ono or more OF those dishes. each provided
with a couple Of large wooden spoons. is
placed upon the table. Each guest
drinks half a dozen spoonfuls of the
broth passes the spoon to his next neiRhbor
and proce4ds with his thumb and finger to Ash
out morsels Of bread and meat from the dish
This ia the ordinary meal Of a well-to- do
Turcoman family the fat tail OF the sheep
being considered an extra luxurious dainty.
Another dish highly esteemed by the Turco.
mans but In which the poorer classes seldom
indulge. is the rice or barley pilafY. with which
chopped meat and dried prunes are boiled
At the bazaar you can purchase rabbits. hares.
pheasants, and psrtridees, but tho only species