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58 Prince Bekovitch was authorised to undertake the enterprise. In 1714 a reconnoitring expedition left the shores of the Caspian in the direction of Khiva. With this par- ticular expedition everything went well, and maps were sent to Peter of the new region thus explored. The result was, of course, only partial, and much more remained to be done before even the old channel of the river could be determined. In the following year Prince Bekovitch was entrusted with a larger force, not less than six thousand men ; but a large portion of this army remained at Krasnovodsk bay. He reached Karagash, on the Khivan frontier, with about three thousand troops. At first the Khan opposed his entry ; but after a time, being won over by presents, and doubtless hoping to obtain more, he permitted him to remain. Prince Bekovitch did not hesitate to pro- claim that he regarded Khiva merely as a half-way house in his progress through the States of Central Asia. But the Khan soon became discontented with his guests, and resolved to destroy them. In a weak moment Bekovitch consented to the dis- tribution of his force, and they were overcome and massacred in detail. The prince himself was reserved for a more cruel fate. He was flayed alive, and then murdered. Such was the termination of the Bekovitch enterprise, which at one time promised so auspiciously, and which was undertaken in so thorough and adequate a manner. Peter himself had no further opportunity of interfering beyond the Caspian, but he paved the way for fresh enterprises in this direction