358 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



Eey had only a certain number of friends in the 

 country, and his influence only extended over a 

 limited district, "beyond which it was doubtful whether, 

 as his proteges, we should receive that hospitality 

 which had hitherto been so freely accorded to xis. 



The province in which his influence, though not 

 paramount, was principally felt, is called Ubooch, 

 and lies between Abkhasia and Shapsugh, the latter 

 forming at present part of the government of Sefer 

 Pasha, who has just headed the Circassian deputation 

 to Constantinople, praying for independence and a 

 protectorate. 



The village at which we passed the night of 

 the 17th October, is one of the most remote in 

 this district of Ubooch, and is situated upon the 

 western slope of the range which divides it from 

 Abbasack : we were, in fact, at this point, not above 

 five or six miles from the boundary of this latter 

 province, and consequently the same distance from 

 the head-waters of those streams which flow into the 

 Kuban. We had, however, determined not to at- 

 tempt to cross this range, which becomes more pre- 

 cipitous and impracticable near its summit ; and as 

 we were equally decided against turning back, the 

 only alternative remained of following along its 

 western slopes, until we thought fit to bend our 

 steps towards the coast. This intention we accord- 

 ingly announced, and declared, moreover, that we 

 should trust to chance for our night's lodging. This 



