Year: 1873

outnumbered US we thought prudent to give them
wide berth. They were in the valley below and
we on the bluffs with a field glass and had the
advantage OF seeing them before they could see
US. Striking into the sands we rode short
circuit aud cautiously approached the river
few miles further on. 1t may be
well TO state that so far as we had gone the sand
approached the river very closely on either side
the border OF green varying from mile TO few
yards IN width. Towards nightIal we made out on
the other side OF the river a group OF horsemen,
who appeared to be watching us; but they, as well
as ourselves were soon lost in the darkness which
shortly enveloped everything but the pale and
ghastly river. And stul there were no signs OF
Kaufman, except in one or two places, where we
had seen the signs OF more camp fires.


THE MARCH IN THE NIGHT.


We continued our course through the darkness,
gliding over the yielding sand silently ghosts.
Our nerves were strung TO the utmost pitch OF ex-
pectation; for, in truth, the situation was becom-
ing critical in the extreme. We had already been
seen twice from the other side, and the smallness
OF our force must have been remarked. IL
was only question OF crossing the river and find
ing Us in the darkness. We were expecting every
moment to see Kauimann's camp fires faring up
in the darkness, to hear the "KtO idioter y
t"who goes there ~ OF the Russian sentinel We





river. dark storm cloud had gathered in the
west, in the direction OF Khiva, and seemed to be
hanging over the fated city, throwing out from
time to time flashes ofightning that were reflected
in the pale, ghastly river below, followed by no
report, but making the night ten times darker
and more sinister. Gradually we found our way
again into the valley below near the water. once
While the guides were on loot leading their
horses on before, thought ! saw flash Of
light FAR In advance, and We stopped and
waited several minutes to see ifit would reappear
IT did not, however, and ! concluded 1t was only
phantom OF my overwrought Imagination. It was
now, however. eleven O'Clock Our tired horses
had made 45 miles since daylight and decided TO
camp. We turned OF 10 the river, gave the horses
water and little barley we had left, and pre-
pared to wait Till daylight. / tried to get one OF
my people to stand guard, but although tney
seemed TO be fully aware OF our danger, they
showed such a dislncination to do it tnat saw it
was useless to order them, as they would probably
sleep on their post and resolved to keep watch
myself In five minutes they were all sound
asleep, eacn with his horse tied near him, and
was left alone with the murmur OF the swiftly
moving waters for company. All night long until
daylight paced up and down, for was so sleepy
and tired that could not trust myself to sit down
even for a moment


LOOKING OUT FOR KAUFMAN.


At daylight we were OF again, not having stopped
even TO take tea, anxiously looking for Kaumann-
We had not gone more than mile when we came
upon ire Still burning. Turcoman fire or
Russian irer that was the question II Russian
IRE, IL could only have been an outpost, and in
that case the army would be in sight, as the rear
guard would not have yet got into movement Eyi-
dently Turcoman fire. We continued rapidly
forward, Keeping good lookout until about half
an hour after sunrise, when suddenly my ears were
greeted with sound that sent the blood courslng
through my veins like an electric shock. IL was
the report Of cannon, followed by another and
another and another In quick succession and as
the Old music had heard 80 much during the Com
mune came rolling up the valley OF the Oxus.
awakening the long silent echoes I experienced
a thrill OF delight that paid me wen for my long
chase' "kaumann at lastn SAID, "and this time
he shall not escape me.m


FOLLOWING THE CANNON


inc river here made a sudden curve an "a ,ha
left, whereas the cannonade was directly he,oro
u.s. decided TO ride straight to the cannon ana
leave the river. had some difnculty in inducing
my people to do tnis They were terrbiv fr,gh,
eDed. and, for some unaccountabe reason wtsbad
to keep to the river. had difficulty in pettiny ona
OF them to 20 with me to the summit OF a little hin
TO try and make out the position OF the contend
ing forces. Our safety was not by any means az.
sured the Turcomans might be between US ana the
Russians, In which case our position might be bad
enough. The cannonade still continued, and ap-
peared to be about 1--WE miles distant. We ascended
the summit OF the lrst slope and cautiously peered
around. but could see nothing nile lgrther oQ