SCENERY OF THE CAUCASUS. g5 



bourhood of Nakerala ; and though event- 

 uaEy visions of mountain sheep in the far 

 distant peaks induced me to proceed, I heartily 

 commend Nakerala, with its trout streams 

 and its bears, to any who come after me and 

 don't wish to make too great a toil of their 

 pleasure. From Sigortsminda to Oni was 

 a very weary pilgrimage, our poor little 

 beasts done to a turn, and ourselves tired 

 with much walking, our throats parched 

 with thirst, and our saddles too hot to 

 sit in. 



Some of the scenery on the road would 

 amply repay any artist who would visit the 

 country ; such views as those of the ruined 

 castles beyond Sigortsminda, and the glimpse 

 of the river Hion as it hurtles along grey 

 and stern between its walls of rugged grey 

 rock at the brido-e of Tsess, beino; hard to 

 beat for beauty in any country. But no one 

 seems to have painted or even photographed 



