"The detail of my journeys and sufferings, from the hour of my escape, till I found refuge in Persia, would fill volumes. I shall make it as short as possible; for though I dwell on some parts of the scene with pleasing recollections, there are others which I cannot think of without horror. However, God's will be done; let his glorious name be praised for all he does; it is not for blind mortals to complain." After these pious ejaculations the Khan proceeded with his narration. "I had only three friends in the town on whom I could depend. I proceeded to the door of one, but he was asleep, and I durst not make the noise necessary to awake him. When I came to the house of the second, I learnt that Beggee Jân had sent for him: and the third, I was informed by his domestics, having heard of my situation, had hastened to the scene, in the expectation of contributing to my escape. "Hopeless and wearied, I wandered all that night about the streets of Bokhara, and a hundred times heard it proclaimed that ten thousand pieces of gold should be the reward of him who brought me to Beggee Jân. "It was towards morning when I went out of the gate of the city, accompanied only by my nephew. We concealed ourselves in a corn field till the evening, and then, though worn out with hunger, anxiety, and fatigue, we took the road leading to Sheher-Sebz.[152] I was bare-footed, and unaccustomed to walk; but my situation gave me a power of exertion beyond what I could have believed; and after a most distressing and dangerous journey we arrived at that city, the ruler of which, Niyâz Ali, moved by the account of my sufferings, treated me with kindness and distinction. "I remained six months at Sheher-Sebz, with a heart painfully anxious for my family; but knowing that I was pursued by the rancorous hatred of Beggee Jân, and being satisfied that though Niyâz Ali had not the means to defend me, he would never be so base as to give me up, I chose to relieve him from the embarrassment my presence created. When I intimated my intention to leave him, he expressed much regret, as he feared that my powerful enemy might succeed in seizing me. He suggested, as the best chance of escape, that I should go to Narbotta Beg, the Prince of Ourat Teppah, which I accordingly did. "Soon after my departure, Beggee Jân attacked Sheher-Sebz, and demanded that I should be given up; but the generous Niyâz Ali concealed my having left him, till he heard of my safe arrival at Ourat Teppah, when he announced my flight, and the attack of his city was abandoned. "After remaining some months at Ourat Teppah, I desired to leave it, but the prince would not consent, until he heard that my enemy was secretly employing agents to murder his guest. His knowledge of the devotion of the Oosbegs to their sovereign made him have the most serious fears for my life and his own honour, if I continued within reach of these assassins. To save both, he had recourse to an extraordinary expedient.