JOUENEY FROM HERAT TO ORENBURG. 239 



June 3d. Moved during the night twelve miles, 

 and then slept till near daylight, after which, came 

 on six miles to the much-talked-of Tukht. This is 

 rather a large sandhill, nothing else. The Turkomans 

 believe that Solomon paid it a visit. If he came 

 here on business, he was, of course, not to blame, but 

 if he came here for pleasure, he must have been 

 much disappointed, and showed no great proof of 

 wisdom. The river Oxus is said, in former years, to 

 have flowed near this spot. That wretch of a guide 

 who was sent Avith me by the governor of Merv lost 

 the road last night, and went back with the camels 

 towards Merv. He was found this morning by 

 young Daood, close to the last watering-place. Some 

 travellers from Khiva are here, who confirm the report 

 of the Eussian retreat. Total distance, eighteen miles. 



June 4th, Thursday.- Came on last night eighteen 

 and three-quarter miles, then slept for two hours, and 

 this morning came on twenty-two miles to the river 

 Oxus ; the heat was very great. We are pitched on 

 the edge of a small stream from the river, and the 

 half-starved cattle are enjoying themselves among 

 luxuriant grass and pure water. I have not yet seen 

 the river. The last twenty miles of this road was 

 generally hard, and the sound of the horses' hoofs 

 was pleasant, after having waded through so much 

 deep sand. The name of this place is Ruppa Kalla ; 

 there is the ruin of an old fort here. Total distance, 

 forty and three-quarter miles. 



