1839] Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara. 14$ 



ria, the usual retreat of the poor, misery had multiplied the number of 

 robbers, and in crossing this part of the country, we perceived on the tops 

 of the hills, Kirghiz who appeared to be watching an opportunity of 

 seizing upon some straggler, or our horses. The guides had warned us, 

 and we kept on our guard. 



The Sir near its mouth is about sixty toises in breadth — fifty verstes 

 higher, its width exceeds 150 toises. It is rapid, and navigable, at least 

 as far as Kokan. Some of the Kirghiz told us it was fordable about 150 

 verstes from its mouth—only during the very great heats. Others de- 

 clare it cannot be forded at any season of the year. 



Chapter IV. 



Manners and Customs of the Kirghiz — Election of the Chiefs — their. 

 Dissensions-— Examples of Cruelty — Severe policy of the Chinese, 

 with regard to the Kirghiz. 



The countries watered by the Sir, are the paradise of the steppe of 

 the Kirghiz, who are proud of the existence of so large a river in their 

 territories. To pass the winter with their flocks, on its banks, is the 

 object of their most ardent wishes. The cold is much milder there than 

 on the banks of the Ilek, the Or, and Irghiz ; and also than the 

 Moughodjar and Dourgatch mountains, and the sandy plains of the 

 Cara-coum. On the banks of the Sir, the frost is never sufficiently 

 severe to kill the cattle, nor to incommode people living in their habita- 

 tions of felt — but during the last six years, the rich Kirghiz are de- 

 prived of the pleasure of spending the winter on this favoured spot, as 

 their enemies, the Khivians, come and plunder them whenever they 

 have the opportunity. 



The Kirghiz delight in wintering amidst the reeds, which grow so 

 thick as to afford a shelter from the storms of wind, which occasionally 

 occur. The wandering tribes are generally of a melancholy disposition, 

 and the murmur of the waters of the Sir has a charm for their idle 

 moments, which are in fact pretty numerous. In truth, nothing disposes 

 the mind to revery more than the sound of a river, which, like time, 

 runs its course with a monotonous rapidity. The Kirghiz often pass 

 half the night seated on a stone, gazing at the moon, and singing melan- 

 choly impromptu words to airs not less so. They also have historical 

 songs, wdiich celebrate the great actions of their heroes, but these are 

 chaunted only by professional singers, and I greatly regret not having 

 heard them. I often told the Kirghiz I would willingly hear their 



