226 THE APvDON VALLEY. 



Russian, and assisted Paul in his search for fowls and 

 eggs, and his enquiries after fresh horses. The men who 

 had come with us from Zacca had evidently got beyond 

 their home- circle, and did not find anyone to treat them 

 to ' vodka ' ; they consequently wanted to take up their 

 quarters with us, but we told them plainly that we thought 

 them no better than thieves, and wished to see no more of 

 them. Having received their pay, they loitered about the 

 place for some time, casting longing glances at our 

 numerous belongings ; but finding we were on the watch, 

 and that there was no chance of carrying ofP a field-glass 

 or revolver, the objects which they looked at most cove- 

 tously, they took their departure before nightfall. 



July 6th. — Paul had found two honest-looking men, 

 who were willing to come with us for three roubles (eight 

 shillings) a day, for man and horse. This was much 

 above the price of the country, but was only half of what 

 we had given the Zacca men, and we gladly concluded the 

 bargain; our new attendants turned out pleasant and 

 obliging, and we kept them with us for several days. 

 Teeb was one of the few places we had halted in since 

 leaving the Dariel road, where we had no reason to com- 

 plain of churlishness or extortion of some sort ; and the 

 friendliness of the villagers caused us to modify the other- 

 wise universal condemnation we felt disposed to pronounce 

 against the Ossetes, of whom we now took leave for the 

 present. This tribe, one of the most famous of the 

 Caucasus, was converted at a very early period to Chris- 

 tianity, which they continue to profess, although they 

 trouble themselves little about either its letter or spirit. 

 Their worship is mixed up with sacrificial feasts, appa- 

 rently of pagan origin, and the doctrines they hold are 

 compatible with a severe law of vengeance, resulting in 

 long and bloody feuds between families and villages. 



