Year: 1875

+ Our expedition to Khokand eventfu and so
different from what had expected that shall
plunge is n,edias by saying that arrived
In the capital on the 25th Of July. We had with
besides Weinberg and scoholen the envoy of Khokand
resident at Tushkent, Mira Hakm, and twenty-five
Cossacks and six djigits or mounted natives. There
was also Abdu-Kerim Bek, nice boy OF eighteen and
q relative of the Khan, who said to be
implicated in some the rebeions last year.
BY the orders OF General Kaufmann he
to be given up 10 the Khan a rebel in
she hope that by this propitiatory offering the Khan
might be induced 10 agree TO our demands l could
not help feeling good deal of pity for the poor boy
VINO had never been In Khokand in his life, and It
seemed to me outrage that strong as we are we
should be obliged to buy the good will OF good-ior-
nothing fellow like the Khan At the loss OF our own
dignity and fairness think Weinberg felt very much
the same way but we all had to obey orders.


A messenger having bcen sent on in advance TO In
form the Khan OF arrival we were met the
lown and conducted to the house OF Mira Hakm,
which was be ut disposition during stay, and
informed that on the next day the Khan
would receive us and ask US about our busi-
ness In fact he did not give US
dence until the day after, and meanwhile every effort
made to discover our reason for coming AS
spoke Turk several Of the Khans people and the
Aekhter himself the had charge OF foreign aars) had
long interviews with me to sound to Mr.. Wein-
bergs Instructions Finally about FIVE O'Clock in the
morning, the Mekher and told us that the Khan
was ready to receive us.


KHAN's RECEPTION.


Hastily putting full uniforms and taking
come Cossacks with carry the presents intended
for the Khan set out for the palace When we came
to the great square found large body OF troops
drawn up in our honor, akof whom presented arms
We passed. and when dismounted at tho gate of the
palace we sautcd with tho beating OF
drums and blast OF such military music
the band or trumpets and cymbals could afford.
Our elbows Immediately seized by attendants and
IN accordance with the prevailing etiquette
dragged at fast trot into the presence of the Khan
who Is stout good looking about forty five, with


full beard and he sat cross-legged cushion at the
further end OF the ROOM in green silk gown and white
turban ne did not rise give his hand. but bowed
as We were severay presented to him. and motioned to
us to be seated on his right. Weinberg gave him the
letter of General Kaufman and explained his mission
saying at the time that the General hoped for the
complete pardon of Abdu- Kerm Bek who had been led
into error through his youth and inexperience. Tho
Khan Immediately consented and gave the boy in charge
to of his nearest counsellors He also gave his
full consent to ScoboleG-s exploration and offered
twenty djigits to accompany to the frontier. He
added however, that it somewhat dangerous
the other side Of Ush in consequence OF rising of the
nomads but that 900 had been against them
under Abdurrahman Avtobatchi, hts best general


During the preparations for our further journey we
made various excursions in the and around the
walls, of which scobole made plans looked at
the mosques Of which have been built within the
last fifty years, and visited the Russian merchants
In their caravanserai Our poor merchants have had
great deal to suffer since they have lived in Khokand,
for they always kept under strict surveillance and
were not allowed to go out OF their houses after
O'Clock in the evening The bazaar is much better built
here than at Tashkent and when first arrived there
seemed to be large trade gong on, although
as the arrived of the approach OF the insurgents
all the shops, except those Of the Smiths armorers
and saddlcrs, were shut up.


THE ARMY JOINS THE


couple of days after arrival news was brought
that Abdurrahman and his troops had all gone over to
the rebels. AS this somewhat disturbed our plans
Weinberg had another audience with the Khan, at
which he gave him message from the Governor
General with regard to the treatment OF his subjects
Tho Khan seemed much detected by the news which he
had received and expressed readiness to follow
the advice of Kaufman, and even, If necessary to
ask for his assistance. The next day we heard
that the Khan's eldest had gone over TO
the rebels that his brother the bek of Marghan, had
also joined them; that Marghian had been taken and
that the rebel army within forty miles of The
city now became intensely excited the shops all
Rhut up, goods transported to remote places in
the suburbs and the and the bazaar were filed
with large crowds who listening to the preaching
of tho dorvishes all demanding the expulsion of the
Khan and a religious against Russia Even before
hat we had met with constant insults from the popua
ZION, being spit upon and called dogs, and
Twice we narrowly escaped the that thrown
Mus..


KHAN DECIDES TO FLY


The Khan now told US that he had decided to leave
the city, as he could not depend upon the population,
and would take up position few miles OF.


AS we found it dangerous to remain and as Weinberg
had no instructions that would him in joining
the insurgents we made up minds to go with the
Khan, and Immediately sent word of departure to
h the Russian merchants in order that II they chose
shey might return with to Hodent


The last night OF stay in the town was very nm.
easy one Our guards had all run away, and we were
forced TO depend upon little handful of Cossacks in
the midst Of the very hostile population During the
whole Of tho night there constant alarms from Tho
beating OF drums and cries of passing mobs Earv in
The morning We learned that tho second son OF the
Khan with most Of the troops remaining in the town
had gone 10 Join tho rebels. This was on the 3d of
August.


PRRILoUs JOURNEY.


Is.
all about persons, and ready to start,
although from the difficulty in getting had to
put all luggage three instead Of sevcn and it
hard work for them to move. Before starting
Weinberg sent messenger with letter and telegram
70 Hodjcnt to inform friends OF our movement We
Afterwards learned that the messenger stopped
Kenabadam and robbed escaping only with his life
foot to Hodjcnt II serious question whether
should 60 quietly by tho gatc should 60
TO the Khan's palace TO meet him. although in 80 doing
We would have TO pass through the bazaar and the
whole length OF the town. The first looked too
much Ike running away and we decided
on the latter. When about half way there
We met good part of the Khan's army that pass
Ing through the town to take up position beyond At
the same time the crowd in the great that
we could only get with the greatest difficulty, and
were constantly subjected to insults from both popuacc
lna Ill L. .aa iaraan Lln