162 Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara. [July 



been marching without intermission for four days,weset off again on the 

 fifth, to get out as soon as possible of this barren region, and enjoy the 

 provisions prepared for us by the khan of Bokhara. 



We arrived at Aghatma the 25th December, after having crossed the 

 Cara-aghatch, a mountain of considerable height, whose slope is very 

 gentle towards Aghatma. The Bokharians say that in this place there 

 was formerly a city, which a neighbouring hillock covered with broken 

 bricks appears to confirm. Aghatma is a kind of basin, with some ap- 

 pearance of having been once flooded, forming a lake which supplies 

 this city with water. 



There are still two strong springs of sulphureous water, but not so 

 hot as those of Cara-aghatch. We remarked at Aghatma, a small tower 

 or hut of mud with a vaulted roof, serving as a kind of advanced 

 post towards Khiva : here the Bokharians keep a guard when they 

 dread an excursion of the Khivians, or the arrival of a caravan 

 from Russia; the sentinel placed on the roof, commands an extensive 

 view of the country round. 



On the road to Aghatma an officer of the khan, having the title of 

 louz bxchi, with about 20 horses met the ambassador, informing him he 

 was directed to be his conductor to Bokhara, and provide every thing 

 the mission could require. Several of the horsemen then approached 

 Monsieur Negri, and took his hand in the European manner.* 



We here quitted the desert, through which we had performed a tedious 

 and monotonous journey of 70 days. The desert ends at these last men- 

 tioned sandy plains, beyond which we found ourselves every where sur- 

 rounded with villages, gardens, plantations, mosques, &c— in fact, we 

 appeared to be suddenly transported into a fairy land. 



If the appearance of this country excites feelings of admiration in 

 Europeans accustomed to the sight of populous and well cultivated 

 fields, how strong must be the impression produced upon the Kirghiz, 

 and other inhabitants of the desert? How is it possible they should 

 not long to invade a country so much favoured by nature, and which in 

 summer would afford them vast plains for the indulgence of their wan- 

 dering habits — whilst in the winter they could take refuge in the numer- 

 ous tow T ns and villages from the inclemency of the season. 



Every thing excited our curiosity in this country, which is almost un- 

 known to Europeans. It may be imagined with what interest we con- 

 templated the oriental tribes, dressed in their blue clothes, and white 

 turbands, who flocked to meet us — some mounted, others on foot— some 

 riding on horses, others on asses — who crowded round us, saluting 

 us after the fashion of this country. Several showed their joy on ap- 



* Here, slso, is a hiatus of two pages of unimportant matter,— Translate!. 



