330 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



eyes, fringed with long black lashes, luxuriant hair, 

 regular features, brilliant complexions, as purely pink 

 and white as that of any European, combined to 

 render their countenances peculiarly attractive, while 

 they had a sweet and refined expression, which was 

 scarcely to be expected among savages. 



We returned to the ships well satisfied with the 

 result of our visit to Ismail Bey ; he had promised us 

 four guides, and as many horses, and these, in addi- 

 tion to ten of our own, sufficed for our somewhat 

 formidable party. Notwithstanding the early hour 

 at which we were astir on the following morning, 

 considerable delay was necessarily involved by the 

 landing of the horses, the loading of the pack-saddles, 

 and the minor preparations for the start. The beach 

 presented a scene of picturesque confusion. Sailors 

 and Circassians united their. efforts in the loading of 

 the nags ; servants of various nationalities, and in 

 diverse costumes, from that of the Albanian to that of 

 the Yorkshireman, bustled about ; while their masters 

 superintended operations, clad in the shooting-jacket 

 characteristic of Englishmen, and long jack-boots, and 

 with girdles sufficiently Avell provided with revolvers. 

 At last every load was adjusted -every man in his 

 saddle ; the more prudent amongst us had provided 

 ourselves with English ones, and the welcome order 

 was given to start. Our way at first lay along the 

 beach ; and as we jogged over the sand and shingle, 

 we saw the Highflyer and Cyclops get up their steam 



