258 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



splendid hewer of wood, and loved the work. 

 So while Simon, having thrown off his load, 

 proceeded to refresh himself by standing on 

 his head, singing and smokmg by turns, 

 Frank found two large rocks by the river, and 

 began to chop firewood. 



Simon, having let off his superfluous spirits, 

 was asked to give his opinion on the site 

 chosen, and at first dissented earnestly. But 

 whilst doing so his eyes lighted on a large 

 currant bush, covered with berries, which hung 

 over one of the rocks, after which a gentle, con- 

 tented look spread over his manly features, 

 and he ate placidly and unceasingly for about 

 three-quarters of an hour, till the bushes were 

 bare, and Frank, Yassili, and I had got the 

 worst part of the camp work done. AVe envied 

 him perhaps, but we said nothing, for after all, 

 if he did only work when he chose, when he 

 did choose wlio could work like Simon ? 



Havmg crammed our bourkas into the 

 cosiest crannies under the rocks, Simon fished 



