JOURNEY FROM HERAT TO ORENBURG. 291 



prisoners to greet their countrymen. That evening 

 we pushed on one stage, and the next morning 

 approached the fort. The war between the Turko- 

 mans and Russians has hitherto been carried on with 

 such barbarity, that it was not surprising that Caruley 

 should remind me, about six miles from the fort, that 

 lie had already exceeded his instructions in accompany- 

 ing me so far ; the camelmen also began to grumble 

 loudly at the danger of going too near the fort. Now 

 this was a little perplexing, for though the Russian 

 prisoners had not much property, they had still much 

 more than they could possibly carry ; and to leave it 

 on the ground and march on the prisoners, almost 

 naked, would have a bad effect ; to say nothing of 

 the chance of the Russian prisoners (finding them- 

 selves in a large majority) helping themselves to the 

 camels. However, I gave the order to unload, and 

 made Caruley himself count the camels. This being 

 done, I asked the people from whom the camels were 

 hired whether they had received their beasts ; and on 

 their replying in the affirmative, I asked Caruley 

 whether the Khan Huzarut's orders had been obeyed, 

 and he answered " Yes." I told him to stand on one 

 side, that I had nothing to do with him ; but I would 

 give ten ducats to any man who would lend me twenty 

 camels to carry some property to JSTova Alexandroff, 

 and would be security for the safe return of the 

 camels. The twenty camels were soon procured, and 

 with the aid of my own and " They the Tutor's," we 



