152 Russian Mission from Orenlourg to Bokhara, [July 



attached to the party of the khan of Khiva. Manem-beg, warned in 

 time of the intentions of his adversary, had prudently fled — but his 

 wives, his brother Iakach, and all his flocks fell into the hands of 

 Haroun-ghazi. "We saw them near the Sir-deria — the flocks were sent 

 into Bokharia, and the women confined in their tents on the banks of 

 the river, were delivered up to the brutality of the brother of the 

 sultan. 



So far from pitying these unfortunate captives, they only laughed at 

 them, and said it was the right of the conqueror which no person could 

 dispute. Iakach, guarded by five Kirghiz, and mounted on the worst 

 horse they could find, followed Haroun-ghazi, who would never consent 

 to see him. Iakach had served as a guide to the Khivians some months 

 before, when they had plundered Haroun-ghazi. This unfortunate per- 

 son was only twenty-two years of age, of a prepossessing appearance, 

 and seeing the fate that awaited him, had a melancholy and downcast 

 look. 



An old Kirghiz presented himself before the conqueror, and thus ad- 

 dressed him — " My sons were massacred by Iakach during the excur- 

 " sion of the Khivians ; the institutions of God and man direct that the 

 " dead should be avenged." The law of retaliation is firmly established 

 among the Kirghiz. Haroun-ghazi was obliged to deliver up his cousin, 

 whose death was instantly decided on. The okl Kirghiz approached 

 Iakach, who was mounted, snapped his gun close to his back ; it missed 

 fire; but other Kirghiz fell on him, taking off his clothes to prevent 

 their being dirtied; and deaf to the prayers of their victim, they cruelly 

 cut his throat like a sheep, with one of the small knives which they 

 always carry with them; thus satiating the revenge they had vowed 

 against th is unfortunate young man. 



The Kirghiz are very passionate, the most trifling cause, and fre- 

 quently an unsuccessful attempt, is sufficient to excite them to the most 

 cruel revenge. 



These people have for several years been molested by the Khivians, 

 which induced them to solicit the aid of the Bokharians, several of 

 whose caravans had also been plundered by these banditti; the Kirghiz 

 supposed the government of Bokhara would not fail to lend their assist- 

 ance. Deceived in this expectation they became furious— one of their 

 chiefs cut off the tail of his horse, and came to the minister at Bokhara, 

 saying, " as this tail has been severed from my horse, so am I from 

 " you; henceforth consider me your implacable enemy." He departed 

 shortly after with two or three friends, and carried off eight camels 

 and two men. They commenced the first hostilities, which this man 

 alone dared to declare against all Bokhara. His* ferocious and violent 

 conduct gives an idea of the daring character of these people. 



