IN THE LAND OF THE BORA. 225 



any at all — were on the same ground at all hours 

 of the day. Certainly we had a couple of hours' 

 climb before us, but even that did not seem to me 

 to warrant such an early departure, so that I 

 groaned in spirit on receiving an invitation from 

 our popular prefect to breakfast with him at 

 5.15 a.m. However, the morning broke so bright 

 and fine, that it really was no difficulty to be up at 

 half-past four. A hearty breakfast discussed, we 

 drove to the Hotel Narenta, where I had the 

 honour of being presented to His Imperial High- 

 ness. Our carriage then piloted his out to 

 Mirichan, before mentioned. Just before we 

 reached it we passed two large bodies of stalwart 

 beaters, each under the charge of several gen- 

 darmes, wending their way south. All the other 

 guns had assembled before we arrived, so a start 

 was soon made towards Suhidol. I could not 

 help thinking, as our long cavalcade wound its 

 way towards the mountains, that we might have 

 furnished an artist with a capital study of 

 "Bandits returning to the hills," especially as 

 far as our saddlery went. My steed, for instance, 

 was caparisoned with an ancient Turkish saddle 

 covered with white home-made material. The 

 two shovel stirrups were supported by strings of 

 unequal length ; and an ancient weather-beaten 

 bridle, with the usual severe Turkish bit, completed 

 the equipment. I, however, was distinctly lucky, 



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