m Russia, and there
transferred, for conveyance to the Transcaucasian provinces, to
clumsy, unwieldly carts or vans drawn by horses or oxen; those in
charge of the caravans never being in a hurry, completely indifferent
as to when they start, or when they arrive at their destination,
and rejoicing in a lengthened stay at Mlety station, after having
accomplished the most tiresome part of the distance--the ascent and
descent of the pass. Vladikavkaz was founded in 1785 on the site
of an Osset village, and became the headquarters and chief military
depot of the Russians during their lengthened struggle for supremacy
with the stout-hearted hillmen; it is now the chief town and seat
of government for the province of Kuban, and still an important
military station. The population is made up of Circassians, Armenians,
and Russians, and a few Ossets at the bazaars, for the natives made
off long ago. The chief industries are the manufacture of silver
and gold lace, arms, _burkas_, the Caucasian's all-weathers cloak,
silver ornaments, etc. The hotels are fairly good, but there being
nothing at Vladikavkaz itself sufficiently inviting to encourage
a longer stay than is absolutely necessary, the following choice
of routes lays before the stranger. He may post through Eastern
Caucasus and embark at Petrovsk for Astrakhan and the tedious voyage
up the Volga; or take the railway to Rostof _en route_ to Moscow; or
travel by rail to Novorossisk on the Black Sea, and there embark;
or, following that line as far as Ekaterinodar, post thence to
Taman and cross the straits to Kertch.

_KHIVA_

_FRED BURNABY_

We were now fast nearing Khiva, which could be just discerned in
the distance, but was hidden, to a certain extent, from our view by
a narrow belt of tall, graceful trees; however, some richly-painted
minarets and high domes of coloured tiles could be seen towering
above the leafy groves. Orchards surrounded by walls eight and ten
feet high, continually met the gaze, and avenues of mulberry-trees
studded the landscape in all directions.

The two Khivans rode first; I followed, having put on my black
fur pelisse instead of the sheep-skin garment, so as to present
a more respectable appearance on entering the city. Nazar, who
was mounted on the horse that stumbled, brought up the rear. He
had desired the camel-driver to follow in the distance with the
messenger and the caravan; my servant being of opinion that the
number of o