TRAVELS IN CIRCASSIA. 337 



blockaded the coasts ; he had seen that nation 

 evacuate their forts on the mere appearance of a 

 couple of English men-of-war, and his country freed 

 of its invaders as if by magic. No wonder he was 

 profuse in his professions of civility to the represen- 

 tatives of such a nation, upon whom depended, he 

 verily believed, the future independence of his be- 

 loved country. If the motives for that civility which 

 we universally met with in the interior of Circassia 

 proceeded from a desire to conciliate those in whose 

 hands the people believed the destinies of their 

 country to be placed, we can hardly regard them as 

 mercenary, since they were the result of patriotism. 

 No doubt, in addition to this sentiment, were added 

 feelings of genuine hospitality, and a natural hope of 

 being presented with a revolver as a token of regard. 

 Circassians, like their neighbours, are actuated by 

 mixed motives. The Bey told us that the Russians 

 had never been able to penetrate so far up the valley 

 as his house, and that the natives of that country 

 were determined never to submit to the Muscovite 

 yoke. We could of course offer him no assurance as 

 to the point upon which he was chiefly anxious viz., 

 the future fate of his country. While the interest of 

 our conversation was beguiling the weary moments, 

 our servants had hit upon another device for filling 

 up the time, and having made a huge fire in front of 

 the Jconalf, were busily engaged preparing tea. We 

 adjourned to the cheerful blaze ; and as it threw its 



