OCT. — MAR. 1858-59.] 



Selections. 



327 



Mr. Schlagintweit nevertheless persisted on going to Yarkand 

 [since the road to Koshgar and Kokand was equally dangerous on 

 account of the disturbances coming from this direction, and since 

 at the same time the distance to these places was much greater], 

 He sent back Gosht Mohammad Khansamah in company with a 

 caravan to Kangra, and made him a present of 300 Rupees in 

 cash, and an order for Rupees 300 on Kangra. 



We then set out for Yarkand ; on our approach the inhabitants 

 of that place treated with great courtesy, and furnished us with 

 provisions ; Mr. Schlagintweit also gave them presents suitable to 

 their several ranks and deserts. 



From thence we proceeded to Kashgar which was then occupied 

 by a Khoja of Kokand who had defeated the original Governor 

 and wrested from him his provinces, but the army of Khatais was 

 also encamped outside the city, and laid siege to a Fort called 

 Gul-Bagh situated about a mile from the town. 



The Mussalmans of the garrison every day came out and gave 

 them battle. The fight was going on when we arrived ; the Mus- 

 salmans asked who we were, Mr. Schlagintweit replied that he 

 was the Honorable East India Company's Envoy and was going to 

 the Khan of Kokand. 



Upon this they got into a rage and ordered Mr. Schlagintweit to 

 be beheaded, and I with my followers to be thrown into prison, 

 and plundered of all our property. In 35 days of our confinement 

 my two servants died, and the third was missing. 



Meanwhile the army of Khatais having been reinforced from 

 Maha Chin* overpowered the Khoja, and obliged him to fly, I 

 consequently got my release, placed the remains of Mr. Schlagin- 

 tweit in charge of Murad for safe custody and proceeded to Ko- 

 kand. 



I have been 8 months in Kokand ; and as the way to Kashgar 

 remained blockaded during that time, and no traveller could pass 

 to and fro, I could send no message to you ; however lately En- 

 voys have been sent and received from Kashgar and peace restor- 



* Maha Chin, i. e. Great China or China Proper, in comparison to the 

 Chinese Province of Turkistan. 



