Year: 1873

kHIvA, August ~, 1878.


n was about six O'CLOCK on the morning OF the
18th OF May when rode into the camp ana fortress
or Khala-ata. dustcovered and weary after my
seventeen days ride through the desert. The
camp was situated In the middle OF a level, sandy
plain, bounded on the north by the low range OF
mountains had just crossed and stretching away
60 the south and east in the direction OF Bokhara
as far as they could reach, without one tree, with
out even the friendly Saks-aool, which had seen
everywhere to relieve its dreary, soul-sickening
aspect; level expanse OF sand that lost itself In
the distant horizon, blended with the yellow,
brassy sky-the nearest approach TO my ideal
DESERT the desert had read or In travellers books
OF anything / had yet seen. / was at first aston
ished that General Kaufman should have chosen
such spot in which to pitch his camp during sew
eral days, as understood from the natives he had
done; but my astonishment soon ceased when
beheld spring OF pure, sweet water gushing forth
In stream six inches thick and affording supply
suflcient for an army OF many thousands


The camp itself was composed Of tents and ka-
bitkas, OF all Sizes shapes and colors scattered
about irreguariy over space OF perhaps 200 yards
square, but the large dome-like structure which,
In the distance, had taken for an enormous kabit-
ka, proved to be ancient mound OF earth, which,
surmounted by q newly constructed watch tower
OF stone now served as corner bastion to the lit
little fort which had just been constructed by
General Kaufman. Mud tombs, such as had seen
all the way through the desert, were scattered
about here and there, some solid aud well pre-
served apparently nearly new. Others broken ana
crumbling away groups of soldiers were gathered
around the pools Of water formed by the ever
gushing fountain, watering their horses long lines
OF camels were starting into the desert to hunt
a scanty repast OF saks-aool and wild absynth; q
general appearance Of dust and heat and discom-
fort, such was Khala-ata, the place where l nrst
struck Kaufmann's tran, after chase of seventeen
days and ride OF 600 miles. Judging by the num-
Der Of troops saw, concluded thatKaufmann was
no longer here, and the thought that perhaps he
had already arrived at Khiva was not an agreeable
one. 1t was with beating heart that rode up to
the young ON Ger on duty. followed BY my little
caravan, and asked him where was General Kauf-
manna The answer dashed my hopes to the ground.
General Kaufman had marched from Khaa-ata
nve days ago, and was now certainly on
the Amoo Derya Five daysl And BY
time would reach the river he would
have crossed it and taken Khiva For moment
was the prey to the most overwhelming disappoint-
ment and mentally consigned old Ak. Mamaten
and Bey Tabook to the lowest regions OF the
Inferno for the three days they detained me IN the
desert waiting for guide. / swallowed my
chagrin as best could, and informed the oflcer
that was an American on my way to see General
Kaufman, for whom as well as for the Grand Duke
Nicholas had letters of introduction; would he
kindly inform the oficer in command OF the de-
tachment that had arrived and that would like
to call and pay my respects


A RUSSIAN WELCOME TO AN AMERICAN.


AS soon as the young ofncer learned that was
an American, he evinced the greatest cordiality'
invited me into his tent, ordered tea to be made
instantly, and told Colonel Heimarn, the officer
In command was still asleep, but that he would
soon De up and would be delighted to see me.
am very much inclined to think however that the
latter part OF this information was piece OF
gratutous poiteness on the part OF my kind enter
tainer, prompted by his own hosptabe disposition,
II may Judge by the reception that really awaited
me- He further informed me that Colonel Hell
marn intended moving forward next day with two
companies OF infantry, 100 Cossacks and two field
pieces nine, and that could, OF course, go with
him. This suited me exactly, and began to think
that after all might yet arrive In time. They
had received no news from Kaufman since
his departure, except an order for the
cavalry to advance, from which they inferred he
had met the enemy; but further than this they
knew nothing They had already had one brush
with the troops OF the Khan, he informed me, on
the 9th OF May, at the next WE'LL the Adam
Koorigan, visited by vambery General Kaufman
had. as usual, sent forward small detachment to
reconn0itre the ground, ind wells see II the water
was good and in SUFFICIENT quantity before advanc-
ing with the main body OF the army. This detach-
ment, under Colonel Ivanon, young and intelli-
gent oficer, approached Adam-Koorgan a little
after dark; but the Colonel himself, with four Co.'S
sacks and four Krghese guides, advanced rather
imprudently mile or two ahead OF the column,
and before he mad even suspected the presence OF
the enemy In the neighborhood he suddenly fell on
body OF Turcomans, 200 or 800 strong camped
near the well. Both sides were about equally
astonished, this being their first encounter, but
before the Russians could retreat they were sur
rounded and attacked on all sides. Quick as
thought the Colonel dismounted his little iorce lit
would have been folly to attempt running away
from the swift-footed Turcoman's horses) and made
most determined and resolute resistance. A
desperate nght ensued, in which two OF the little
party were killed and all the rest wounded includ
ing the Colonel himself, who was wounded
twice. The fight lasted several minutes, and
the Russians would have been certainly over.
powered In a moment more had not the
troops In the rear, who rushed forward upon
hearing the firing, arrived upon the scene in the nick
OF time, with the American breechoading rife.
The Turkomen, although still double in number OF
their opponents, Immediately took to flight and
the gallant Colonel remained victor of a small but
hard fought battle. This little fight is quite char.
acteristic OF Central Asia, and although only an
affatr OF outposts was OF considerable Importance
as being the first encounter the troops OF the Khan
ever had with the Russians. and seemed TO show
them the temper OF the Russian Bear they had SO
rashly aroused Two or three hundred OF them
here surrounded and attacked five Russians with
out being able to capture or get the head OF n
single one. The Turkomen, 1t should be stated
take the head OF their slain enemy as our Indians
do the scalp.


OUR GEOGRAPHY.


I was very curious to learn the exact ceoprapb.
ical position OF Khalaata, as 1t was not on my man
and how far we were still from the Amoo Derya.
Some OF my maps had been OF the slightest use
for the last few days, and had not the remote
Idea as to my whereabouts geographically speak
ing. My Informant, however, could give me no in
formation on this subject further than that Khala