Page:From Kulja, across the Tian Shan to Lob-Nor (1879).djvu/67

48 September, the thermometer marked 10° Fahr. at sunrise, and snow fell occasionally.

At the camping-ground of Kara-moto, where we halted, we were well received by the first Turgute inhabitants that we met. Meanwhile, the report spread rapidly of the approach of the Russians, and alarmed the whole Mohammedan population of the neighbourhood. It was stated that Russian troops were marching into this country, and that their advance-guard had already appeared on the Kaidu. This story gained currency when, on our first arrival, the reports of our fire-arms, as we shot pheasants and other birds, began to be heard, and caused such a panic among the Mohammedans living near Kara-moto as to induce them to leave their homes and fly to Kara-shahr.

Thither notice was of course at once sent of our arrival, but, at first, none of the officials made their appearance. We now sent back to Kulja our guide Tokhta-akhoond, a man devoted to us, but for this very reason hateful to the Mohammedans, he being himself a follower of the prophet born at Korla, whence he had escaped some years previously to Ili. With him we despatched the greater part of our collections, so as not to encumber ourselves needlessly with them.

On the third day of our appearance at Kara-moto, six Mohammedan envoys from the