102 The Qnaxuian Mountains (md their TnhabUca 



their chivalric deportment, our admiration keeps pace 

 with their historic fame, and the sublime fortitude 

 with which for centuries the}' have defended their moun- 

 tain homes. The arms they bear form always an attract- 

 ive feature. Seldom one is seen without the Circassian 

 knife, of world-wide reputation, shining handily in his 

 belt; or, the still more famous Damascene blade, hanging 

 at his side. 



Some still carry the long bow and arrow, and know 

 how to use them very effectively, while others wear a 

 brace of highly ornamented pistols. The long Turkish 

 gun is also a favorite weapon with them, and many a poor 

 Russian, when least expecting it, has received from it his 

 death warrant. If they have fire-arms they wear on each 

 1) rcast a row of cartridge tubes, tor their cartridges of 

 powder. These are not a little conspicuous, lying neatly 

 arranged on the white ground of their well -fitting over- 

 coats, are very handy in case of need, and might perhaps 

 say to an enemy, as Rogers has so beautifully done in one 

 of his artistic groups, seen in our shop windows, " One 

 more shot." 



The common head dress of these warriors is unlike 

 any I have seen in any other country. It is made of goat 

 skin, well prepared, well fashioned, and its long black 

 silky hair falls about the I'acc and Deck, thoroughly pro- 

 tecting them in the bleakest of bleak weather among the 

 snow-bound dill's of the Caucasus. 



These hardy men — and I may well add the women 

 too — are cavaliers of the true Arab type; bold, fearless, 

 graceful; but this is a part of their training, a part of 

 their early education, and to this they are much indebted 

 for their successful assaults upon the Etuseian troops and 

 their masterly retreats and dispersion, when their ends 

 have been accomplished. Their horses should not go 

 unnoticed here, for they too have been trained to climb 



