ed. His
followers escaped, and brought back the tale of his death to Ladakh.

Such was the untoward fate of the first explorer of Kashgar. In the
course of the early summer of 1868, it became generally known that the
Chinese had been driven out of Kashgar, and that Yakoob Beg was ruling
the country, under the title, conferred upon him by the Ameer of
Bokhara, of Athalik Ghazi. He had sent a sort of semi-official
messenger, Mahomed Nazzar, in that year into the Punjab, to take notes,
as it were, of our dominions. Mr. Shaw, in Ladakh, had heard of the
recent changes in Eastern Turkestan, and mentioned to this envoy on his
return the desire he had to visit Kashgar, and see the widely famed
Athalik Ghazi. The envoy received the proposition with enthusiastic
approval, but it was considered more prudent to await the formal assent
of the ruler himself. After overcoming the difficulties that beset his
task, with prompt resolution Mr. Shaw entered the dominions of the
Athalik Ghazi in December, 1868, being the first Englishman who had ever
entered Little Bokhara. His reception was singularly cordial, and
everything that the officials could do to make his sojourn in the
country pleasant to him was done. One and all of the Khokandian
dignitaries received him as a friend and a brother; and even Mahomed
Yunus, Dadkwah of Yarkand, the second man in the kingdom, treated him in
a spirit of marked cordiality. It should be remembered that Mr. Shaw
went there without any official _status_ whatever, and simply as an
English traveller. Of course, it was the best policy for the Kashgarian
rulers to greet him hospitably, and prove that they had completely
pacified Eastern Turkestan; but in pointing out the hospitable reception
that was given to Mr. Shaw, it is impossible to detract from its merit
by referring to such latent political motives as these. Yakoob Beg
received the English traveller in special audience at Kashgar, and
treated him in the most cordial manner. On Mr. Shaw offering him a few
presents that he had brought from India, such as rifles, &c., the ruler
laughed, and said, "What need is there of presents between you and me?
We are already friends, and your safe arrival has been sufficient
satisfaction to me." During Mr. Shaw's residence in Kashgar, which
extended over a period of three months, he had three interviews with the
Athalik Ghazi, who on each occasion became, if possible, more friendly
than on the previous one. Mr. Sha