TASHKEND TO MARGELAN 
77 
Beg-. The latter still lives in Biskent, where he owns 
several houses and farms, and draws a Russian pension. 
He is a strong shapely man, fifty years of age or so, with 
a jet black beard and hard features. Surrounded by his 
eight sons, he is awaiting with impatience the first sign of 
dissension in Kashgar, when he will hasten thither to take 
possession, if possible, of his father’s throne. At least, 
that is what he told me himself. Poor fellow ! long may 
he live on in that hope, for he does not know what great 
A VIEW FROM TASHKEND 
political changes have taken place in East Turkestan since 
the days of Yakub Beg! 
After several delays, caused by want of horses, I at 
last, on the 27th, reached Khojent, where my sole errand 
"’as to take measurements of the Syr-daria. I shall say 
a few words about these further on ; of the town itself 
I have already given a description in my former book. 
Suffice it, therefore, to say a word or two only about 
the large bridge which spans the Syr-daria. It is divided 
into two parallel roadways for the convenience of traffic, 
