THE HORSE AND HTS RIDER. 153 



Once the old prince came in person to invite us to 

 the wedding of his eldest daughter, and of course we 

 could not civilly refuse. When we entered the 

 hamlet, a pack of dogs ran at us barking furiously. 

 The women hid themselves as soon as they saw us, 

 and those whose faces we did get a glimpse of, were 

 any thing but beauties. * I had a much higher idea of 

 the Circassian women,' said Fetch orin to me. ' Have 

 a little patience', said I, smiling, and keeping my* 

 thoughts to myself. 



There was a great concourse already assembled in 

 the prince's house. It is the custom, you are aware, 

 among the Asiatics to keep open house for all comers 

 on these occasions. They received us with all possible 

 marks of respect, and led us into the guest chamber ; 

 but first I took care to notice privately where they 

 put our horses, in case any thing should happen, you 

 know. 



L. What are their marriage ceremonies ? 

 M. Nothing very remarkable. First, the mollah 

 reads something out of the Koran, then presents are 

 made to the young couple, and to all their relations ; 

 they eat, they drink busa ; the zhigkitofka begins ; and 

 there is always some greasy rogue mounted on a lame 

 old rip of a horse, to amuse the worshipful company 

 with his grotesque capers, and his jokes. By and by, 



