212 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



had cut tlirono-h its skin, and must have caused 

 it exquisite torture. In sj)ite of his success in 

 the foraging line, Deto got into very hot water 

 that night, and if he ever fetches a sheep for 

 another Englishman he will prohably kill the 

 poor brute before tying it on to his saddle. 



Once the coup de grace had been admi- 

 nistered by Simon, it was wonderful to see the 

 way in which that sheep changed in appear- 

 ance. In about an hour the only trace left of 

 it was its curly black coat, and a single leg 

 of mutton hangmg to a pole by the fireside, 

 all the rest of the carcase beino- either de- 

 voured or cooking in our caldron. 



All that night Simon, Yassili, and Deto 

 never left off eating. Deto especially had 

 barely time to speak, so busy was he making 

 maize cakes and eatino- entrails, which he duof 

 from time to time out of the embers with his 

 fino;ers. Thouo:h no men can stand star- 

 vation better than these Caucasian mountain- 



