Mahomedan Andijani only one degree less than
the Buddhist Chinaman, and their ambitious game had been foiled by the
military talents of their present ruler. They had run, in the years
1862-65, all the risk attaching to a revolt against China, and when they
had accomplished their task they found themselves defrauded of their
reward. Therefore, in the face of a Chinese invasion there was disunion
in the ranks of the very Mahomedan rebels who had originated all these
troubles. The nucleus of Yakoob Beg's army, when these have been struck
out as non-efficient, was small indeed; but it was only on that nucleus
he could depend in fighting for his crown and his religion.

During the winter of 1876, when he was busy in collecting arms,
ammunition, and stores at Yarkand and Kashgar, he must have discovered
many of these discordant elements; yet he pushed his preparations
resolutely on. He conceived that under the circumstances the boldest
policy would be the most prudent, and that if he could but beat the
Chinese in the field by superior tactics he might ride triumphant over
all his difficulties and dangers. With these views uppermost in his mind
he concentrated all his forces, Tungan included, along the southern
slopes of the Tian Shan, with his headquarters at Turfan. The Russian
officer, Captain Kuropatkine, who had been sent to Kashgar on a mission,
and who had journeyed through the whole extent of Kashgaria to meet the
Ameer at Turfan, computed Yakoob Beg's army at the following strength,
and supplied the accompanying information concerning its disposition
along the frontier.

The fort of Devanchi, guarding the principal defile through the mountain
range, was garrisoned by 900 _jigits_, armed with muskets and two
guns--one a breech-loader. At Turfan there were with the Ameer 3,500
_jigits_ and 5,000 _sarbazes_, with 20 guns, mostly of ancient make.
Toksoun, a fortified place, some miles nearer Korla, on the main road,
was occupied by 4,000 _jigits_ and 2,000 _sarbazes_ with five guns.
Hacc Kuli Beg had command here. At Korla there were also about 1,500
men, who were brought up to the front shortly after Captain
Kuropatkine's departure. With these 17,000 men, scattered over a widely
extended area, Yakoob Beg had to defend himself against an enemy
superior in numbers, and, as the result showed, in generalship as well.

The Russian officer gave, on his return, a very gloomy account of Yakoob
Beg's affairs, predicting the spe