The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites to Central Asia, 1880-1884, Fred Richard Belk, 1976

he Russians had set the rent at 1/13 of their harvest yield per year for the 108 acres (40 dessiatines) of land they would be working. Added to this was a stipulation that they would at least temporarily enjoy exemption from military service. But if Russia ever gained administrative control of Bukhara, the Mennonites would again be subject to Russian draft laws. This lease and its stipulations seemed fair to the negotiators, and they returned to Serabulak to share what they believed was good news. One young man, Cornelius Quiring, was particularly happy after hearing about the negotiations in Samarkand. He was the only one of draft age that would have to serve if the exemption were abro- gated. At least for a time that service to the state could be avoided." While the Mennonites pondered what they had done in concluding the lease agreement, the Russian ambassador to Bukhara came through Serabulak and reminded them that they could not remain on Russian territory or young Quiring would be drafted immediately. Though aware of the khan’s hostile attitude, this persuaded them to move on. They would go to explore the land under lease and make certain it was suitable for their needs. Moving to No-Man’s-Land For a second time then, they plodded back across the border and camped the first night near a flowing spring. For two consecu- tive days, Bukharan officials came to their campsite and insisted that they move on to the neutral land because they were trespassing on private property. The next day, one unscrupulous official tricked them into believing that he would lead them to their new homes, but they ended up that evening back on the Russian side of the frontier. Furious with the official, the emigrants crossed the border a third time on the following day. Here they had the misfortune to meet the same border official, who this time calmly allowed them to camp and then warned them of dire trouble in the future. With dis- aster impending, the Mennonites decided to pray, fast, and stand 120 The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites their ground. The next day the same border patrolman ordered them back across the border into Russian territory. Upon their refusal, he then implied that if they stubbornly stayed another day, 400 soldiers were coming to shoot them all — men, women, and children. The Mennonites could only retort, “Let them come!” They spent the night in prayer and vigil. Steadfastly they vowed that they would neither oppose the soldiers nor defend themselves. If God wanted them to die as martyrs, they would follow His will. Few in the camp slept that night. But to their surprise, day- break did not bring 400 soldiers but merely a handful of insolent offi- cials who ordered them to move nearer to the border where they said the local governor would graciously allow them to remain. Obey- ing this order the emigrants gratefully sent two brethren to per- sonally thank the bek. Returning from