148 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



a steady stare all round, after whicli they 

 again lay down. At last, however, they were 

 all at rest, and Simon shut his glass with an 

 energy that meant the first act was over. 



The chief difficulty was the river, over 

 which there was no brido;e for miles, and to 

 wade which all, except Simon, said was im- 

 possible. By dint of coaxing and determi- 

 nation, I eventually wrought on Simon (who 

 was the only really keen sportsman among 

 them) to make the attempt. Frank decided 

 not to come with us, but to try later on for 

 bears. 



Down at the river's edge the rough water, 

 whose depth we had not yet fathomed, fright- 

 ened Yassili into a determined refusal to have 

 anything to do with our venture. Remem- 

 bering a very nearly fatal ducking I had once 

 before in a Caucasian torrent, I myself did 

 not feel too keen for the plunge, but Simon 

 had me by the hand now, and we were in for 



