TRAVELS IX CIRCASSIA. 357 



fidence over precipitous mountains, through impetuous 

 streams, along narrow rocky valleys, and by dangerous 

 paths, for two days; and had, by dint of extreme 

 exertion and no little peril of our necks, at last almost 

 attained the summit of a lofty range, only to be asked, 

 when we got there, to inform them as to our future 

 destination. The guides insinuated (and their sugges- 

 tions were strongly supported by L ), that having 



only reached our present position with much toil and 

 risk, we had better retrace our steps, and not tempt 

 our fate any more upon the wild mountain-sides of 

 Circassia. We held a very different opinion. Having 

 got so far, we voted that it would be unworthy in the 

 extreme to be daunted by the perils of the road or the 

 vagueness of our destination. We declared that, in 

 spite of the precipices, we had not seen enough of 

 Circassia, and that it was a matter of perfect in- 

 difference to us in which direction we went, seeing 

 that on every side it was new and hitherto untrodden 

 ground. It Avas perfectly clear that our escort had 

 received instructions to lead us to the inaccessible 

 residence of the Bey with whom we were now lodged, 

 and who was a half-brother of Ismail's, under the 

 belief that we should have had enough of journeying 

 by that time, and be glad to return : they had not, 

 therefore, received instructions as to the course to be 

 pursued in the event of our persisting in extending 

 our tour. The main objection seemed to be in the 

 difficulty of procuring us our night's lodging. Ismail 



