A BRIDGE IX DAXGEE. 273 



up the glen of the Tchosura, and over the main chain, 

 into the valley of the Urach ; it was described as very 

 mnch of the same character as the Gurdzieveesk Pass.* 



The heav}" ram, which continued to fall all day, caused 

 the Rion to rise very rapidly, and to threaten ^vith de- 

 struction the bridge below the village, the centre pile of 

 which, a clumsily-constructed wooden breakwater, was 

 exposed to the full force of the current. The danger of 

 the whole structure roused the people fi'om their usual 

 laziness, and delivered us for a time from the constant 

 crowd of lookers-on. The whole population trooped down 

 to the bank, and carried stones, to fill up the interior of 

 the framework Avhich supported the centre of the bridge, 

 in order to give it weight to resist the violent attacks of 

 the stream. Theii' efforts were successful for the moment, 

 and the weather clearing up late in the afternoon, the 

 river gradually subsided. 



Having cooked the necessary supply of meat, jDurchased 

 some luxuries — such as sugar, and muddy grape-juice, 

 here called wine — and, as we thought, concluded our 



* These two passes are laid down by Klaproth, in the map appended to his 

 ' Voyage au Mont Caucase,' published in 1823, and he describes at some length 

 his journey across them in the year 1809. Starting from Mozdok, on the north 

 side of the chain, he ascended the Uruch valley, and crossed the Gebi-Ga Pass, 

 to which he gives the name of Tziti-Klong, but which is no doubt the pass of the 

 Five Verst Map, above referred to. He descended the Eion valley as far as Oni, 

 Ijut was deterred from going further by the disturbed state of the country, and 

 therefore retraced his steps, regaining the Uruch valley by a pass which can 

 be no other than the Gurdzieveesk. In both cases the details of the actual 

 passage of the chain are very meagre and unsatisfactory, but many particulars 

 are given of the valleys on either side which could scarcely have been acquired 

 by hearsay. The part of the story most hard to believe is that horses were 

 got over both passes ; so far as the Gurdzieveesk is concerned, we should certainly 

 have declared it impracticable even for the steeds of the Caucasus. 



Dubois de Montpereux denies the truth of Klaproth's statement on the 

 authority of the inhabitants of 3Iozdok ; but they were little likely to know 

 anytliing about the matter, and I do not think their opinion is of much value. 



T 



