TRAVELS IN CIRCASSIA. 339 



himself uncompromisingly on the floor, and stuck out 

 his legs in other people's way ; another ate moodily 

 in a corner, and only approached to make plunges at 

 junks with his knife, and carry them off triumphantly 

 on its point. Knowing individuals explored amid 

 the pile for tender bits ; generous ones gratified their 

 neighbours by sharing their discoveries with them ; 

 rash ones alarmed them by flourishing their knives in 

 the air in a reckless manner ; fastidious ones retired 

 satisfied with a hurried repast, to allow their imagi- 

 nation to wander back to London dinner-parties, 

 under the influence of tobacco. Soup followed meat, 

 of a greasy suspicious character ; it was contained in 

 a large bowl, and into it we all dipped promiscuously 

 the wooden spoons with which Ave were provided ; 

 and then stretching ourselves once more on our downy 

 couches, we resigned ourselves to the somniferous 

 effects of fatigue, dinner, and midnight. Although 

 well disposed to do justice to my bed, I was not per- 

 mitted to enjoy its luxury without disturbance, for I 

 was awoke out of a sound sleep by the strangest com- 

 bination of sounds I ever heard from human throats. 

 The Circassians who were watching our horses were 

 keeping themselves awake by singing, and they 

 certainly performed the same kind office for me ; 

 though, as I lay and listened to the singular 

 cadences and fitful tones, now sinking to a low 

 plaintive wail, now swelling almost to a yell of 

 defiance, I considered myself more than compen- 



