The town being protected by its shelter of mountains, the breezes of the steppe cannot reach it, and it is one of the hottest places in Turkestan.
I met the Caternas, delighted with their excursion.

The actor said to me in a tone of the best humor: "Never shall I forget Khodjend, Monsieur Claudius." "And why will you never forget Khodjend, Monsieur Caterna ?" "Do you see these peaches ?" he asked, showing me the fruit he was carrying.
"They are magnificent--" "And not dear! A kilo for four kopeks--that is to say, twelve centimes!" "Eh!" I answer.

"That shows that peaches are rather common in this country.

That is the Asiatic apple and it was one of those apples that Mrs.Adam took a bite at--" "Then I excuse her!" said Madame Caterna, munching away at one of these delicious peaches.
After leaving Tachkend the railway had curved toward the south, so as to reach Khodjend; but after leaving town it curved to the east in the direction of Kokhan.

It is at Tachkend that it is nearest to the Transsiberian, and a branch line is being made to Semipalatinsk to unite the railway systems of Central and Northern Asia.
Beyond we shall run due east, and by Marghelan and Och pass through the gorges of the Pamirs so as to reach the Turkesto-Chinese frontier.
The train had only just started when the travelers took their seats at the table, where I failed to notice any fresh arrival.