OF THE OLD WORLD. 393 



Mount El-Bruz. After some conversation, I made 

 up my mind to take a trip to that part of the 

 country, under his guidance, and, if possible, to 

 make an ascent of the " Father of Mountains." 

 The same evening I communicated my intention to 

 my followers, who made their preparations accord- 

 ingly; and the next morning, after quite a tender 

 leave-taking from our worthy host and his people, 

 to whom we promised to return, a start was effected. 

 For the first four or five miles after leaving the 

 konak, we had the advantage of a bridle-path, which 

 had been formed many years ago by the Russians, 

 for the purpose of keeinng up a communication 

 with one of their outposts, a small fort, or rather 

 redoubt, constructed on an isolated hill which com- 

 manded the entrance of a deeply-wooded gorge. 

 The work, in which embrasures and platforms for 

 eight pieces of cannon were still visible, had evi- 

 dently been intended to prevent the aggressive 

 incursions of the mountain tribes, but it did not 

 appear to have been inhabited for some years, as 

 the barrack was roofless and the flagstaff had rotted 

 away. Our guide told me that this had been the 

 scene of many a hard conflict between the Musco- 

 vite troops and the mountaineers, and his statement 

 was confirmed by the numerous graves, some of 

 which were marked by tombstones bearing Greek 

 or Russian inscriptions, and others by rude wooden 

 crosses. 



On the slope and round the base of the hill were 



