274 CAUCASIAX GLACIERS AND FORESTS. 



arrangements for porters, we announced our intention 

 of setting out next morning, and dismissed our visitors, 



July 14th. — The weather was still showery and un- 

 settled. Our first question with the villagers was on a 

 claim for higher payment for our food and lodging, which 

 was at first laid at nea-rly double the sum we offered, 

 but was very soon brought down, by firm resistance on 

 our part, to a petition for an extra rouble. The next 

 difiiculty raised was one less easy to settle satisfactorily. 

 The seven porters for whom we had agreed struck, on the 

 ground that our luggage was the load of ten men. 

 Anxious to smooth matters, we conceded this point, and 

 allowed them to fetch tlu-ee of their friends, whereon the 

 whole team struck again for higher pay. This we abso- 

 lutely refused, declaring that, if further difficulties were 

 made, we would ride down to Oni, and report their 

 behaviour to the Commandant. The ten, finding that 

 we could be as obstinate as themselves, gave in, after 

 a long and irritating wrangle, and agreed to come at the 

 pay previously promised. At last all the packs were 

 separated, and each man's burden tied up into a form 

 convenient for transport. After watching the ten defile 

 before us, and seeing that nothing was left behind, we 

 followed. Having crossed the bridge, all the men sat 

 down, and held a protracted council with some friends 

 who joined them, as to which path they should take, 

 while we fumed with useless impatience. 



The ordinary path up the valley follows the left side of 

 the Rion, on which there is a good deal of cultivation for 

 some distance above Gebi; but news having been brought 

 in of the destruction of the upper bridge, our porters had at 

 once crossed to the right bank, and were now discussing 

 how they might best make their Avay along it. When the 

 council was at last over, we were led by a narrow footpath, 



