TRAVELS IN CIRCASSIA. 383 



strife proceed from the yard. It was perfectly dark, 

 and we could only speculate upon what was probably 

 passing. Xor did we think it wise to interfere ; but 



L rushed out with his usual impetuous curiosity, 



and came back with an excited account of an affray. 

 However, quiet was gradually restored, and our Cir- 

 cassians came dropping in after a little, with satisfied 

 countenances, like dogs who lick their lips after 

 feasting on the produce of the chase. It was clear, 

 however, that the locality was by no means congenial 

 to our friends, and they informed us of their inten- 

 tion to return on the following day to Ubooch. To 

 this we made no objection, as we hourly expected the 

 return of the Cyclops to the coast, and had agreed 

 that she was to look in for us at this point. We 

 were, moreover, gainers by the intimate relations 

 which had been maintained between the inhabitants 

 of the village and the garrison of the fort, situated on 

 the coast about a mile and a half distant There 

 were all sorts of evidences of civilisation apparent 

 about our habitation. It was a large wooden build- 

 ing, containing two rooms, constructed of planks, and 

 with a shingle roof, a most comfortable fireplace, a 

 couple of couches, and various other articles of furni- 

 ture unknown in Circassia, the whole belonging to 

 an old lady, who overwhelmed us with civility, and 

 entertained us most sumptuously. We were detained 

 at Ardiller for three days, during which time we were 

 dependent entirely upon the hospitality of this cxem- 



