edy disintegration of his state. He
also asserted that the Tungani were deserting in great numbers, and that
everywhere east of Kucha there was discontent and distrust of the
Kashgarian rulers. This disparaging account was confirmed by Colonel
Prjevalsky, some months afterwards, upon his return from his adventurous
journey to Lob Nor. In a letter, dated from Little Yuldus, May 28, 1877,
he said he had been very kindly received, but also suspiciously watched
by Yakoob Beg. "All the way from Hoidu Got to Lob Nor he was escorted by
a guard of honour, who officiously endeavoured to satisfy his smallest
wishes, but would not allow him, or any of his people, to come in
contact with the inhabitants. Yakoob Beg somewhat peremptorily asked
Colonel Prjevalsky to explain why the Russians had provisioned the
Chinese forces arrayed against him; but, in an interview at Korla, he
again and again assured the Russian traveller that he was a friend and
well-wisher to Russia. Notwithstanding these precautions, Colonel
Prjevalsky and the other members of the expedition succeeded in making
the natives tell them that they were disgusted with the military
despotism of Yakoob Beg, and that they hoped the Russians would soon be
coming."

The information contained in this letter refers to the end of April,
1877, or to a time after the first defeat of Yakoob Beg by the Chinese,
and his withdrawal to Korla; but it is _a propos_ in this place as
confirming Captain Kuropatkine's remarks.

In addition to the 17,000, more or less, disciplined soldiers whom
Yakoob Beg had mustered at the frontier, Captain Kuropatkine mentioned
10,000 Doungans--that is, the Tungani inhabitants of this eastern
region. Not only were these notoriously untrustworthy, but they were
also badly armed, and were, on the whole, a source of weakness rather
than of strength. Before the close of the month of February the Athalik
Ghazi was at Turfan, constructing forts at Toksoun and towards the Tian
Shan, and endeavouring to inspire his followers with his own indomitable
spirit.

In the meanwhile the Chinese had not been idle. They had, after their
triumph over the Tungani, established their headquarters at Guchen, near
Urumtsi, and had so far secured their communications with Kansuh that a
regular service of couriers was organized, and a continual supply of
arms, military stores, and men flowed across Gobi to the invading army.
For instance, a large arsenal for the storage of ar