RETURN FROM THE FIRST JOURNEY. 305 



with snow, which was close beside the deeply cut 

 river-bed, and always selected the particular parts 

 where there was a sure footing. I was riding imme- 

 diately behind my brother Otto, when I noticed, that 

 just at a dangerous spot hard by the edge of the 

 bank, here descending perpendicularly several yards, 

 a stone became loose under the weight of his horse. 

 A moment afterwards my horse trod upon the same 

 stone, which thereby was entirely loosened and caused 

 my fall. I only remember having heard the cry of 

 the succeeding riders, and that I was then standing 

 upright in the river-bed, my horse beside me. According 

 to the statement of my companions the horse fell 

 over sideways with me and then came on its feet. 

 It was at any rate a marvellously lucky escape. 



Of the homeward journeys, for which both times 

 I chose the route via Constantinople, the first in par- 

 ticular was rich in singular experiences. The fine 

 weather lasted till the middle of December; only after 

 we had left Kedabeg did it change, and on the Rion 

 we encountered a fearful storm. With great difficulty 

 we reached Poti, but there we learnt that the steamship, 

 which was to convey us further, had already passed, 

 as an embarkation in such weather was impossible. 

 We, namely the whole company that had arrived in 

 the river -steamer, were thus forced to take refuge 

 for a full week in the only so-called hotel of 

 the place, a most dreary abode. This, I may 

 say, was the most unpleasant week of my whole life. 

 A violent storm raged the whole night, not only outside 



20 



