TRAVELS IN CIRCASSIA. 369 



ourselves in the valley of the Schacho. "We had ac- 

 complished the descent from the top of the ridge 

 with immense rapidity, and our host of the previous 

 evening, who had politely accompanied us thus far, 

 here bade us adieu. The crossing of the tumultuous 

 Schacho was the most perilous undertaking of the 

 kind which we had attempted. The horses could 

 barely keep their footing upon the stony slippery 

 bottom, while the rushing stream reached to the 

 holsters. After one or two unsuccessful attempts we 

 found a ford, and, with the exception of the baggage 

 getting drenched, suffered no other inconvenience. 

 "We now saw, to our dismay, a range before us quite 

 equal in height to the one we had just traversed. 

 The guides informed us that, if we did not stop 

 where we were for the night, there was a great risk 

 of our failing to accomplish the ascent, and thus 

 being compelled to camp out, as there were no houses 

 until we reached the other side. This was a most 

 disagreeeble prospect. At the same time the day was 

 still young; we had four good hours of daylight 

 before us, and we determined to push vigorously on, 

 and risk the chance of a night in the woods. Our 

 start was not auspicious. The path, more narrow 

 than ever, was at one place so unpleasant-looking 

 that some of the party dismounted; among others 



L , whose chestnut horse was a proverbial fool at 



picking his way. I did not think the same precaution 

 necessary with the clever little beast I bestrode ; but 



