122 NARRATIVE. 
all made of gold brocade. From what we heard, 
however, it was clear that preparations for our recep- 
tion had been going on for months. One rumour was 
that we were expected to bring with us a number of 
European troops, to assist the King. 
VIII. ARRIVAL IN YARKAND, AND STAY IN 
THE CITY. 
On the 23rd August we marched eight miles from 
Yangi Bazar to the city of Yarkand, crossing the 
Yarkand river by ferry-boats a mile after starting. 
A dastarkhan was waiting us in a garden close to the 
ferry, and whilst we regaled ourselves all our bag- 
gage was got safely across. The crossing was a work 
of some difficulty, for there were only two ferry-boats 
and the current was very rapid, repeatedly carrying 
the boats half a mile down stream, whence they had 
to be towed up again. 
Having got across the river, we found thirty of our 
followers drawn up to form an escort. They had all 
been drilled to some extent, and were dressed up in 
neat scarlet uniforms, trimmed with gold lace, snow- 
white turbans, and each armed with a sword and 
carbine ; when all were mounted they formed a 
very respectable guard, and quite took the shine out 
of the Yarkandi escort as far as appearance went. 
Half a mile from the ferry we crossed, on a rude 
bridge of boats, anotlier branch of the river ; and a 
mile further on were met by a party of horsemen, 
which turned out to be Mansur Khoja, the Chan- 
cellor of the Yarkand Exchequer, with an escort, sent 
out to do us honour. Mansur Khoja received us 
very cordially, and was presented on the spot with a 
