The Russian police keep constant watch over it; there is a regular police force at the stations, and as the stations are not far apart, I don't think the travelers have much to fear from the nomad tribes.

Besides, the Turkomans are kept in their place by the Russian administration.

During the years the Transcaspian has been at work, there has been no attack to hinder the train service.
"That is comforting, Major Noltitz.

And as to the section between the frontier and Pekin ?" "That is another matter," replied the major.

"Over the Pamir plateau, up to Kachgar, the road is carefully guarded; but beyond that, the Grand Transasiatic is under Chinese control, and I have not much confidence in that." "Are the stations very far from each other ?" I asked.
"Very far, sometimes." "And the Russians in charge of the train are replaced by Chinese, are they not ?" "Yes, with the exception of Popof, who goes through with us." "So that we shall have Chinese engine drivers and stokers?
Well, major, that seems rather alarming, and the safety of the travelers--" "Let me undeceive you, Monsieur Bombarnac.