686 
THROUGH ASIA 
Knowing that the Anglo-Russian Boundary Commission 
were working at Mehman-yolli (the Guest Road), a small 
transverse valley situated only a day’s journey towards the 
north-east, I could not resist the temptation to pay them a 
visit. But I did not like to come down suddenly and with- 
out warning upon the Commissioners whilst in the midst of 
their delicate labour of defining the boundary from Victoria 
Lake to the Chinese frontier; so I wrote to the head of 
each Commission, asking if they had any objection to 
receiving visitors. My jighit (courier) brought back a 
cordial and pressing invitation from both chiefs. Accord- 
ingly on the evening of the 19th I pitched my tent at 
Mehman-yolli, on neutral ground between the Russian 
camp and the English camp. 
I was already acquainted with the head of the Russian 
Commission; it was General Pavalo-Shveikovsky, governor 
of Fergana, my friend and benefactor. I held myself bound 
therefore to pay my respects to him first. But I could not 
get to his quarters without passing through the English 
camp. Mr. Macartney caught sight of me as I was on 
my way, and eagerly intercepted me with an invitation 
to dine with General Gerard, head of the English Com- 
mission. 
There I was then, in a pretty dilemma. The only way 
out of it, the only way to preserve my neutrality, that 
I could see, was to plead my old acquaintance with General 
Pavalo-Shveikovsky, and to emphasize the unsuitability of 
my attire. 
General Pavalo-Shveikovsky welcomed me with open 
arms. \V e sat talking until a late hour of the night ; and 
notwithstanding my energetic protests and my hints 
of wishing to keep to neutral territory, he ordered an 
excellent yurt to be got ready for me at once, with a 
bed in it, a luxury which I had almost forgotten the 
enjoyment of 
The following morning I paid a visit to General Gerard, 
and met with a similar kind and friendly reception 
from him. I was immediately introduced to the several 
members of the English Commission. The second officer 
