JlBlANf. 299 



low stoiie-built barns with sloping" roofs. The situation 

 of Jibiani is not striking', when the peaks of the Nuani- 

 quani are veiled in clouds. The slopes above the village 

 are rounded and bare, or only partially clothed with low 

 brushwood, and the traveller fancies himself carried back 

 to the valley of the Ardon or Terek. 



Our porters volunteered to introduce us to the inhabi- 

 tants, and to aid us in obtaining some kind of lodging. On 

 first entering the place we did not find many of the house- 

 owners at home. The first barn that was offered us 

 we declined, on account of its gloomy and dirty appearance; 

 a second was then shown, which was a shade cleaner, 

 although scarcely less gloomy, owing to the extraordinary 

 smallness of the loojjholes which served as windows. It had, 

 however, the advantage of a smooth plot of grass outside the 

 door, where we could sit in the sunshine, when there was 

 any. Our parting with the Gebi porters was of a very 

 friendly character. They were in a hurry to start on their 

 return, so we paid them at once, giving each man a trifle 

 over the contract price, which, after the numerous dif- 

 ferences we had had on the road, was more than they 

 expected. Though laz}^ and stupid, they were free from 

 more active vices, and were, in fact, far more of fools 

 than knaves. Having j)urchased some provision for their 

 return march, of the high price of which they loudly 

 complained, the ten set off the same evening, unwilling 

 apparently to trust themselves a minute longer than they 

 could help to the friendly disposition of the Jibiani 

 populace. 



A crowd of villagers had by this time collected on the 

 green outside our quarters, and formed a circle round 

 us. We were struck at once with the wholly savage 

 aspect of the assemblage, especiaUy of the children, 

 who pressed to the front to stare at us. The men, and 



