210 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



in slavery by the Muscovan subjects of the Khan of 

 Khiva. The detention of these prisoners had always 

 formed the pretext of Russia for its advance against 

 the Khan's dominions ; and in order to destroy this 

 effectually for the future, Sir R. S. guaranteed to 

 the Russians the restoration of all the prisoners 

 within the Khan's dominions, and for this purpose 

 personally undertook to collect and march them in 

 safety into Russia. He accordingly liberated and 

 took charge of these prisoners, upwards of 500, and 

 with the whole number crossed from Khiva to the 

 Caspian. He left the prisoners at Orenburg, passed 

 through Russia, being everywhere received with en- 

 thusiasm by the countrymen of the prisoners, and on 

 his arrival at St Petersburg obtained a ratification of 

 the treaty from the Emperor, and had the honour of 

 receiving his thanks publicly. 



On his arrival in England he received promotion 

 and rank for his services, and was appointed Military 

 Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief of the Bengal 

 army. In the second Afghan war his bravery and 

 dash contributed greatly to' the safe release of the 

 English prisoners in the hands of Akbar Khan. 

 Under Lord Canning's government he was appointed 

 to the Chief Commissionership of Mysore, but died 

 before entering on his duties, in October 1861.] 



OX the llth of May 1840, a packet arrived at 

 Herat, from Sir W. H. Macnaghten, with im- 

 portant instructions for Captain Abbott. As this 



