aders, either of Urumtsi or Hamil, who had
been mediatized by Yakoob Beg and placed in command of the Turfan
region. He appears to have been the commander of that portion of the
Kashgarian army which was left round Korla.

Not only was Karashar deserted by its inhabitants, but so was the whole
country round about. Some, indeed, had fled to the mountains, but these
were afraid to return when they saw the Chinese established in their
homes. And then the conquerors followed out their usual plan by settling
fresh colonists in the town. The Mongol noble, Cha-hi-telkh, was
directed to move up some hundreds of the members of his tribe to occupy
this important post, to restore the homes and to retill the fields; and
while this work of restoration was proceeding on territory conquered by
the Chinese, that through which they passed in hostile guise was
subjected to far other treatment. On the 9th of October the Chinese
marched against Korla from two sides, and on that day a cavalry skirmish
took place, in which fifteen of Bayen Hu's horsemen were slain, and two
taken prisoners. From the evidence of these, who were dressed in the
Khokandian garb, but were Mussulman subjects of China, being natives of
Shensi, it was learnt that Bayen Hu had withdrawn with all his forces to
Kucha, taking with him the produce of the country and the majority of
the people. They affirmed that the small detachment to which they
belonged was only a scouting party, sent out to learn what the Chinese
army was doing. When the Chinese had exhausted their stock of
information they beheaded them. The same day they entered Korla, which
they found to be completely deserted, although not flooded. The walls
remained, but many of the houses had been thrown down. Here the general
was nearly reduced to a desperate plight, as the provision train, which
was transported by cart and camel, did not come up, and there was the
prospect of starvation compelling the victorious army to retreat. But
happily the thought struck the able general, or perhaps some one gave
him a hint, that there might be some stores concealed in the city which
the Kashgari had been unable to carry away with them. Accordingly the
whole army set to work to search the houses, and to dig into the ground
in all likely places for hidden stores. Their toil was soon rewarded,
and "several tens of thousand catties' weight of food" were discovered.
As a catty weighs 1-3/4 lb., this was no slight supply for an