THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 13 



The costume of these brave mountaineers is such as to 

 set off the nervous, though delicate, symmetry of their 

 make. It consists of a close-fitting frock coat, with 

 rows of cartridge pockets sewn upon the breast, and 

 tight trowsers, both vestments being generally of 

 some subdued and sober hue. All the magnificence 

 displayed is in the arms and the trappings of the 

 steed. The headdress worn in peace, is a round cap, 

 surrounded by a thick border of black or white sheep- 

 skin fur. The war garb, however, in which the 

 Circassian is oftenest seen, is remarkable by the 

 addition of an iron helm, surmounted by a spike, in 

 lieu of a plume ; a shirt of exquisitely finished mail, 

 falling from the helmet over his shoulders, like a 

 lady's lace veil; and steel armlets, which seem to 

 form part of the forgotten gauntlet, worn by the 

 knights of old. 



Such is the outward appearance of that hardy and 

 intrepid race of warriors, who have, for fifty years, main- 

 tained inviolate the freedom of their mountain land ? 

 withstood the continuous efforts of Russia, and baffled 

 all the force and cunning of that gigantic empire. 

 Their small but beautiful horses, which are thorough- 

 bred (that is, derived in almost uncontaminated purity 

 from the Arab), are so accustomed to their rugged 

 mountains as to carry the rider over places where he 



