THIRD JOURNEY TO THE CAUCASUS., 315 



Our drive from Dalliar to Kedabeg formed a 

 genuine Oriental spectacle to the great delight of the 

 ladies. The Beys of the neighbourhood had heard of 

 the arrival of the owners of the wonderful mine, and 

 did not omit to greet us festively with their dependants, 

 and escort us to Kedabeg. This party was continually 

 renewed and increased on the road nearly twenty- 

 five English miles long. They swarmed round our 

 carriage on their fleet Caucasian mountain - horses, 

 mostly at a wild gallop, up hill and down dale, and 

 afforded, in their Caucasian costume and accoutre- 

 ments, an extremely attractive spectacle. In chasing- 

 past the men performed the most daring, break-neck 

 feats of horsemanship, at the same time firing off their 

 guns, so that our approach produced the impression 

 rather of a warlike encounter than of a peaceful 

 reception. Near Kedabeg the entire population of the 

 place, together with the miners and smelters, joined 

 the procession. In the house of our head manager, 

 Mr. Bolton, we were received by the ladies of his 

 household, and lodged most comfortably. During our 

 stay we derived some benefit from the visit, which 

 had taken place a few weeks before, of the young 

 Crown Prince of Italy, who, attended by the Russian 

 grandees of the Caucasus, had visited our mine and 

 smeltery. For the reception and entertainment of these 

 guests unusual arrangements had of course been made, 

 which had especially included provision for a comfor- 

 table descent into the mine and the procuring of an 

 improvised saloon -carriage for our railway. We re- 



