86 CASUALS IN THE CAUCASUS 



to convey to the world, especially that part of it 

 composed of the masculine sex. Curiously, men also 

 have several ages. Does not the Immortal One fix 

 them at seven ? The Cossack himself has a true age 

 and a regimental age, but he differs from femininity 

 in this respect, that he will assume a greater age than 

 is his. 



Other questions follow in quick succession. If you 

 are not married, would you like to be, and why aren't 

 you ? Then the inevitable query as to the state of 

 your exchequer. I am not carping, but commenting, 

 merely. The trait of inquisitiveness is not to be dis- 

 pised. People who are least curious are most in- 

 vertebrate. Depend on it, an active concern in human 

 affairs is the best antiseptic against human decay. 

 An interest, a hobby, or even a good wholesome crank, 

 provided it remains a crotchet and does not degenerate 

 into a mania, sets Anno Domini at defiance, and gives 

 us the key to a world of our own, in which we may 

 readily forget the world that is. 



Farther, a primitive village had grown up, where all 

 the domestic animals prowled in the High Street, seek- 

 ing what they might devour, and the dogs, fierce 

 vengeful brutes, bounded up to our saddles snapping 

 and snarling. 



Through miles of undulating wheat, an outspread 

 cloth of gold, we loped gaily to the skirts of the 

 mountains, drawing rein occasionally to look at 

 square-sided watch-towers, remnants of other days, 

 when Akhaltsik and Akhalkilak were in Turkish 

 occupation. 



