"E.Voiskunsky, I.Lukodyanov. The Crew Of The Mekong (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

"The omen is shaped like a crescent. It signifies that the glory of
Islam will eclipse the glory of the infidels."
This reassured the Khan. When the eclipse ended he accepted the gifts
of the white tsar with a light heart. Examination of the gifts lasted until
evening.
Then the Khan and the Prince mounted their steeds and set out for
Khiva, riding side by side. They were followed by the Khan's suite and the
Russian expedition. The Russians, now in good spirits, sang as they marched
along.
A short distance from Khiva the Khan and his men set up camp on the
bank of a stream. The Russians pitched their tents nearby. Prince
Bekovich-Cherkassky and his companion, Prince Samonov, were the guests of
honour in the Khan's tent.
During supper the Khan explained to the Prince that it would be
impossible to quarter the entire Russian mission in Khiva because there
would not be enough food for them and it would take some time to bring in
more supplies. Unless the Prince had plenty of his own provisions, in which
case, of course-
Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky had to confess that he was running short of
provisions. The Khan then suggested that he divide the Russian force into
five units, each to be quartered in a different town where, he promised, the
food and lodging would be of the best. Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky and his
companions would, of course, be offered hospitality in Khiva itself.
It is hard to understand why Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky ever agreed to
such a dubious arrangement. Perhaps he believed that Khan Shirgazy really
had been frightened by the Russian artillery during the skirmishes at Lake
Aibugir. Or he was so overwhelmed by his personal grief that he was unable
to think clearly.
The Russian foot soldiers, dragoons and gunners marched off from the
stream in five different directions, each group accompanied by Khiva guides.
The thick dust raised by the departing units hung for a long time in the
hot, still air. Slowly the strains of their marching songs died away in the
distance.
Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky stood in front of the Khan's tent, gazing
after his men, oblivious of the Khivans who had crowded round him.
The units vanished from sight. The dust began to settle.
"You dog! Betrayer of Islam! You have sold your soul to the infidels!"
said Khan Shirgazy softly, laying a hand on the Prince's shoulder. "You dog!
You tried to deceive me with your miserable gifts!"
Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky spun round. Although he had difficulty
understanding the Uzbek language he immediately grasped the meaning of the
Khan's words. All he had to do was read the Khan's face.
Khan Shirgazy drew out the royal credentials from the sleeve of his
robe. Slowly and solemnly he tore the paper in half, threw the pieces on the
ground, spat on them, and rubbed them into the sand with the pointed,
turned-up toe of his yellow boot.
Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky took a step backwards. He reached for his
sword, then dropped his hand.
Smiling and chattering, the Khan's bodyguards drew closer, their swords
bared.