Recollections of Tartar Steppes and Their Inhabitants by Lucy Atkinson

Author:Lucy Atkinson [Atkinson, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General
ISBN: 9781136952029
Google: IdbbAAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-09-13T01:18:53+00:00

CHAPTER VIII.

Russian Courtesy—Sumptuous Dinner—An afflicted Child—Cossack Desire for Information—Scanty Food—The Ala-kool—Intense Heat— Funeral Rites of the Kirghis—Singular Custom—A Love Ball—Enormous Appetites—A Scene of Grandeur—Effects of the Wind—Grift of a Maral—Extraordinary animal Attachment—Loss of a Pet—Chinese penal Settlements—Visit and Pursuit of Intruders—Return to Rest— Heavy Storm—A lovely Picture—Masses of Rock—Evidences of Volcanoes—Kirghis’ Tombs—A treacherous Climate—Large black Eagle —Numerous Thunderstorms—Return to old Quarters—Suspicious Visitors—Exciting Chase—A determined Scoundrel—Rapid Streams —Wild Horses—A frightened Steed—Congratulations—A Halt— Devoured by Mosquitoes—A Chinese Picquet—National Costume— Polite Reception—Hasty Arrival and Departure—Interview with Officials—Affection for Children—A Desire ungratified—Chinese Interpreter—Invitation to Dinner—Alatau overwhelmed with Kisses —Taking Leave—Guard of Honour—Systematic Arrangements— Refreshing Bath—A great Delicacy—Amusing Incident—An empty Cupboard—Successful Search for Apples—Washing Contrivances— Tea-party in the Steppe—A Bride's Attire and Bridal Party—Mutual Satisfaction—Female Tea-party—Disappointed Lords of the Creation— Disparity of Age in married Couples—A Wife's Correction and Care —Beck Sultan's Daughter—A graceful Amazon—Frightful Ravages by Wolves—Parting with our Cossacks—Zmeinogorsk—Our altered Appearance—Manners and Customs—Fortune-telling—A generous Apothecary—Singular Circumstance—Providential Escape—The Hand of Providence—Filling up the Time—Approach of Christmas—Nearly suffocated.

July 8th, 1849.

THE idea was too delicious to refuse. Pelonka was a Russian merchant whose acquaintance we had made in Kopal, and whom we had also met in the mountains. He had heard of us, and had sent this man to seek and take us to his aoul, which was situated near the river Tinteck (wild or savage). Our friend had chosen a lovely spot on which to encamp, and prepared for us was a very nice little yourt, fitted up exquisitely. The voilock was raised a little all round, so that a gentle breeze passed through. His wife (he was married to a Kirghis) and children soon came to visit us and to make tea, undoubtedly the best we had ever tasted; then they brought me cushions on which to repose till dinner, which I gladly did, for the day was sultry hot.

At the appointed hour dinner was forthcoming, and a sumptuous one it was; everything was clean and neat, and they tried to do all they could to make us comfortable. Here we gained a great deal of information respecting the different routes. Before quitting, our host presented Alatau with a tiny basin to drink out of. He had previously sent him, when but a week old, one still smaller, with a note stating that it was for ‘the new-born babe,’ which note, I regret to say, I have lost.

The atmosphere being cooled, we were anxious to be off, so I called at the yourt of Pelonka, to take leave of his wife. After sitting with her for awhile, she took me to a compartment separated by curtains, in which was their only son. He made me shudder to look at him. The child was about eight or ten years of age; his disease was the ‘king's evil,’ which I was told made frightful ravages among these people; his head was swollen to a dreadful size, and in an awful state. The father entered; we spoke of the little fellow, and he said, if we could only cure the child, he would give us half his flocks.

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