th the Khojas and the Tungani hastened to profess the
greatest desire to fulfil his wishes, although they kept him outside
their gates. It is probable that neither party could have offered any
prolonged resistance to him, had they not been encouraged to do so by
Buzurg Khan. That prince had for some time been fretting against the
iron will of his lieutenant, and, now, in an ill humour at being carried
from his amusements and idleness at Kashgar to suffer the deprivations
of a camp life before Yarkand, broke loose from all control, and plotted
in his own camp, and in the enemy's, to free himself from his
troublesome general. The plot among the Tungan soldiery had assumed
alarming proportions, and all was ready to put an end to the career of
Yakoob, when it was fortunately discovered by his faithful friend
Abdulla. Precautions were taken, and the plot in the camp was
effectually thwarted; but Yakoob Beg was not strong enough then to show
his resentment. This danger was only removed to give place to another.
The Tungani soldiers in Yakoob's service now opened up communications
with their kinsmen in the Yangy-Shahr, and they formed the following
plan to destroy the remaining portion of the Kashgarian forces. The
garrison was to simulate a desire to yield into the hands of Yakoob Beg
both their own persons and the fort, and when he, unsuspecting any
covert design, should be lulled into a false sense of security, the
Tungani in his service could join the Tungani in the fort in making a
night attack on the other forces. The plan promised well. Yakoob Beg was
deceived by the friendly overtures of the Tungani, and relaxed his
precautions, and, during the night that was to precede the surrender of
the Tungani, the conspirators marched out of the fort, and being joined,
as had been arranged, by the other confederates, surprised Yakoob Beg
and his immediate followers. A desperate resistance was offered by the
half-armed men, but the Tungani were victorious, and Yakoob Beg had much
difficulty in collecting around him on the morrow a few hundred
soldiers. Among those, however, was Abdulla and some of his more trusted
companions. The Kirghiz under Sadic Beg could not be trusted, and it
seemed that that chief was still inclined to play for his own hand. At
this, the most critical period of his life, Yakoob Beg's tact and
resolution were most conspicuous. When he was surrounded on every hand
by hostile factions, and could count on the fid