SECOND TOUR IN THE GREAT CAUCASUS. 303 



went on. till only the Tartars remained. Finally these 

 took their horses into the water and let themselves 

 be carried over clinging to their tails. 



O c? 



I and my brother had remained to the last with 

 our somewhat dubious escort on the left bank of the 

 river. Our protectors squatted suspiciously together, 

 and kept throwing glances at us, which we did not 

 altogether like. Cigars, which we offered them, they 

 proudly refused because, as we found out after- 

 wards, being bigoted Shiites they were not allowed to 

 take anything from the hands of unbelieving dogs. It 

 appeared therefore advisable to show to the fellows 

 that we were sufficiently armed for defence. We set 

 up a board, that had floated down stream, as mark, 

 and shot at it with our revolvers, in the use of which 

 we were well practised. Every shot hit the board at 

 long range without much aiming. That interested our 

 companions very much, who themselves tried with their 

 long beautifully polished flintlock guns to hit our mark, 

 but did not always succeed. Then came their sheik 

 and gave me to understand by signs, that I should 

 show him my revolver, and lay it on the ground, as 

 he dared not take anything from my own hand. This 

 was a critical moment, but on Otto's advice I deter- 

 mined to comply with his request and put down the 

 revolver. The sheik took it up, looked at it on all 

 sides, and showed it with a shake of his head to his 

 companions. After that he gave it me back with 

 gestures of thanks, and henceforward our friendship 

 was sealed. Distrust of the fulfilment of the sacred 



