NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY

FROM

HERAUT TO KHIVA, MOSCOW,

AND

ST. PETERSBURGH,

DURING THE

LATE RUSSIAN INVASION OF KHIVA;

WITH

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE COURT OF KHIVA AND

THE KINGDOM OF KHAURISM.

BY MAJOR JAMES ABBOTT,

BENGAL ARTILLERY,

AUTHOR OF THE "T'HAKOORINE," AND LATELY ON A POLITICAL MISSION.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

Second Edition,

WITH CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS.

LONDON:

JAMES MADDEN, 8, LEADENHALL STREET.

-

1856.

203. a. 2.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WERTHEIMER AND Co,

FINSBURY CIRCUS.

ILOV

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Uneasiness of the Kuzzauk Brothers-Preparations for Departure

-Departure for Mooraud Ali's Tent-Opposition of Kuzzauk

Chiefs-Yar Muhummud, the Carrion Crow-Chalk Cliffs-Pro-

spects-Dismissal and Curse of Yar Muhummud-Salt Marsh-

Perplexity-Bivouac-Character of Mooraud Ali-Meeting with

him-His Physiognomy-His Hospitality and Courtesy-Who

is the First in Honour-Virtues of Patience-False and True

Philosophy-Feringee Mysteries-Odds and Ends-Comets and

Kettles.

1

CHAPTER XXX.

Yar Muhummud-A New Sauce for Ragouts-Mooraud Ali's Proffer

of Service-Arrival of Khojeh Muhummud-Of Hussun Mhatoor

—His Proffer rejected-Release of my Servants-Angry Debates

between the Chiefs-Mooraud Ali abandons me-I am left to

the Mercy of Hussun Mhatoor-Eloquence of a Shawl-Part of

the Plunder recovered-The Kuzzauk Brothers

16

CHAPTER XXXI.

Route to Dahsh Gullah-Its Difficulties-The Favourite of Hope-

Resolution to pursue that Route-Choice of my Suite-Quarrel

and Affray between the Toorcuuuns and Oozbegs-Pacified by

Saleh Muhummud-Forced Reconciliation-Mooraud Ali leaves

me to my Fate-Khojeh Muhummud-Atonement for his

Father's Crime

30

iv

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Departure for Dahsh Gullah-Hussun prigs my best Horse-Saleh

Muhummud-Summud Khaun's View of things-Restoration of

Property-Its Condition-Metamorphoses-Singular good Luck

of a Table Cloth-Zone of a Shepherdess-Transfer of Gold-

Pardon of the Kuzzauks-Hussun fails in the Number of Escort

promised-Route continued - Last Tent in the Wilderness-

Bivouae-Expectation of our Massacre-A Sweet Argument—

A Night of Anxiety-My Guides leave me in the Wilderness-

Melancholy Position-Parting Charge to Saleh Muhummud—

Hour of Suspense-First View of Dahsh Gullah .

39

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Cossaq Horsemen-Message of the Commandant-Halt within

Cannon-shot of the Walls-Long Suspense-Reflections--Mas-

terly Manœuvre of the Commandant-Enter Dahsh Gullah-Mr.

Laymann-Weariness of Commandant-His Physiognomy-

Offer to ransom Cherkush Bae's Son-The Mystery of Abomina-

tion-Apparition of the same-Hospitality of Russians-Am-

putation of my Finger-Nizaum's Sentiment thereon-Farewell

of Commandant-Of Cherkush Bae-Last Effort in favour of

latter-Leave Nuovo Alexandrofski-Russian Priest-Embark. 53

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Description of Nuovo. Alexandrofski-Sailing on the Caspian-

Songs of the Cossaqs-Sentiment embodied in them-Ten Days'

Pilgrimage on a Voyage of 180 Miles-Misery of my People—

Whether Pig begets Idol, or Idol begets Pig-Mystifying Pro-

perties of a Beard-Heartless Frisks of the greedy Wave-

Cossaq Soldiers-Arrival at Mouth of Oorahl-At Gorief-

Houses there-Commandant-Evening Saunter-Cossaq Hospi-

tality-Names and Surnames

CHAPTER XXXV.

Departure from Gorief-Vehicles-Rate of Progress-Aspect of

the Country-Chain of Posts from Orenburgh to Gorief-Mr.

64

ト

Chicachoff-His kind Attention-First News of the Failure of

the Russian Expedition-Peasantry-Town of Oorahlsk—The

generous Major of Cossaqs of the Oorahl-The hospitable Cos-

saqs-Their Dress

75

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Departure from Oorahlsk-Vehicles--Approach to Orenburgh-

Orenburgh Quarters-General Perroffski, Governor of Orenburgh

-The Hettmann of the Oorahl-Perroffski's Armoury-Generous

Conduct of Perroffski-The Masks-Spirits of the Mighty-The

Rival Heroes.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Ball-room at Orenburgh-Dancing-Perroffski's Prohibition-Cap-

tives at Khiva-Effect upon them of my Arrival-Preparations

for renewing the Invasion of Khiva

. 91

102

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Departure from Orenburgh-Samara-Summud Khaun, a Sample

of the Afghaun Character-Travelling in Russia-My very limited

Means of ascertaining the Condition of the People-Despotism a

necessary Evil in the present Constitution of Russia-Prisoners

of Khiva-Vladimir-Deformity of ecclesiastical Architecture in

Russia-Face of the Country-Forest-Arrival at Moscow-Im-

pressions-Trimness of Moscow.

. 112

CHAPTER XXXIX.

General Plan of Moscow-The Kittye Gorod-The Kremlin-Their

Architecture-Antiquity of the Kremlin-Monstrosities-Bronze

Statues of Minine and Pojarski —Superstitious Observance-

Great Bell-Treasures of the Kremlin-Polish Standard-How

unworthily treated-Sabres-Crowns-Thrones-Jewels-Eyes

-View from a Tower of the Kremlin-Kremlin.

125