134 Russian Mission from Oreribourg to Bokhara. 



The expense of the escort during its absence from Russia, was calcu- 

 lated at about 7% 000 roubles, which it was absolutely indispensable to 

 take with us in cash, that we might obtain supplies at Bokhara. The 

 export of Russian coin being forbidden, it was necessary to obtain 

 ducats, but the merchants at Orenbourg did not possess a sufficient 

 number of that coin, and we sent to Troi'tski, a town about 600 verstes 

 distance, and being then also unsuccessful, we were at last obliged to 

 have recourse to the exchange at Moscow, a distance of 1,500 verstes 

 from Orenbourg. Many unexpected difficulties thus retarded our depar- 

 ture. The fine season had passed, half the month of September was 

 already gone, and hard frosts were beginning to appearand the cold had 

 set in with a constant succession of rain, hail and snow. 



We were therefore on the eve of commencing a journey during the 

 storms and fogs of October and November. I thought of the sufferings 

 endured by the army of Timour against Khiva, related by Sherif Oudin, 

 when " some lost their ears, noses, hands and feet; the sky looked like 

 a cloud, and the earth was but a mass of snow." 



We were about to pass through a colder country, than that which 

 caused the destruction of this famous conqueror; and I felt compassion 

 for our poor soldiers ; who, unprovided with furs, would be exposed to 

 the inclemency of a very severe winter. We had much consultation 

 with the Kirghiz, to determine which route we were to pursue, and to 

 make ourselves acquainted with the difficulties we were likely to en- 

 counter. Five of them were chosen as guides ; the principal of whom 

 was named chief ; having also the command of sixty other Kirhgiz,who 

 were engaged to load, drive, and take care of the camels. 



These animals belonged to different proprietors, and are usually in 

 herds of from twenty to sixty, called koch, led by a Kirghiz chief. 

 The baggage Was distributed among the different kochs ; we made a 

 trial of the way of loading the camels, and found packs of a long shape 

 the best for that species of carriage. On the 9th of October, arrived 

 the last of the camels we required, and our departure was positively 

 fixed for the following day. 



At last, on the 10th, the whole escort assembled in the great square 

 at Orenbourg, and passed in review before the governor-general. He 

 caused mass to be said, and a blessing pronounced upon the travellers. 

 There was something solemn and imposing in the religious ceremonies, 

 the loud vocal music, the benediction bestowed on the eve of so long a 

 journey through immense deserts ; and it acquired a fresh interest from 

 the presentiment of the dangers and difficulties to which such an expe- 

 dition was likely to be exposed. 



