140 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



apart from the ravages of the rocks, every 

 time he loads or cleans his rifle he tears off a 

 strip from his coat-tails, and every wonnd 

 that wants stanching is supplied with a ban- 

 dage from the same quarter. 



All three of our men have all the hair 

 shaved close off their heads, and one of the 

 amusements of the day was to sharpen a 

 pocket-knife of mine and shave each other, a 

 process more sanguinary than successful. 

 None of the four seem in the least degree to 

 consider themselves as servants ; but even the 

 worst of them was always ready to serve us, 

 and give up the best of everything for our 

 use, while Simon's watchfulness and motherly 

 care for our safety became almost oppressive. 



Towards afternoon there was a great 

 palaver amongst the men, and after much 

 discussion, Simon and Yassili gave me to 

 understand that I was to follow them to the 

 highest of the watch- stations, to which none 



