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The southern part of this region now forms the Transcaspian province, divided into six districts, Fort Alexandrovski, Krasnovodsk, Askhabad, Karibent, Merv, Pendjeh, governed by Muscovite colonels or lieutenant-colonels. As may be imagined, it hardly takes an hour to see Uzun Ada, the name of which means Long Island.
Most of the new buildings in Tiflis were built by Persians, and thousands were engaged in the construction of the Trans-Caspian Railway. The permanent workmen now employed on it are largely Persians, and Askhabad has a resident population of over twelve thousand.
Beyond the stretch of verdant oasis watered by a number of creeks, we crossed wide cultivated plains through which the line made frequent diversions. Having discovered that Popof did not intend to go to sleep again, I went back to my corner. At three o'clock there was another stop. The name of Askhabad was shouted along the platform.
Climate or want of confidence produces indolence there, but here and elsewhere out of Persia they show themselves to be active, energetic, and very intelligent. They are in great numbers at all the censes of trade in the adjoining countries at Constantinople, Damascus, Aleppo, Baghdad, Tiflis, Askhabad, and other towns.
Most of the Sarthes and Kirghizes who got out at Askhabad, have been replaced by other second-class passengers, Afghan merchants and smugglers, the latter particularly clever in their line of business. All the green tea consumed in Central Asia is brought by them from China through India, and although the transport is much longer, they sell it at a much lower price than the Russian tea.
It would be better for me to relieve his anxiety this very night. That is impossible, for the train will soon stop at Gheok Tepe, and then at Askhabad which it will leave in the first hour of daylight. I can no longer trust to Popof's going to sleep. I am absorbed in these reflections, when the locomotive stops in Gheok Tepe station at one o'clock in the morning.
As I could not remain still I got out, leaving my companions sound asleep, and I ventured into the town. Askhabad is the headquarters of the Transcaspian, and I opportunely remembered what Boulangier, the engineer, had said about it in the course of that interesting journey he had made to Merv.
"Have your joke, Monsieur Bombarnac, but under your breath, I advise you!" "You see, major, he would then be an interesting personage and worth a long interview!" We enjoyed our meal as we talked. The breakfast was excellent, the provisions having come freshly on board at Askhabad and Douchak.
We had already been two inhabitants of the same town; well, we would become two neighbors in the house, or, rather, two friends in the same room. At nine o'clock the signal to start was given. The train leaving Kizil Arvat went off in a southwesterly direction towards Askhabad, along the Persian frontier. For another half hour the major and I continued to talk of one thing or another.
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