328 



SUANETIA. 



sky. When the time came for starting, the old farmer, 

 who had been our host, claimed an exorbitant recompense. 

 We offered him half as much again as was due, but he 

 threw down the rouble-notes on the floor with contempt. 

 Taking no notice, we continued to load the horses, and, 

 after a good deal of bluster, he came to his senses. We 

 amused ourselves at j)arting by drawing out a British 

 IDassport, a document certainly seen for the first time in 



Tail TiStoual from above Latal. 



Suanetia, and bidding Paul tell him that he little thought 

 whom he had entertained unawares. The lion and the 

 unicorn worked the effect intended, and our host forgot 

 his threats of not allowing us to leave till his demands 

 were satisfied to the full, and bade us farewell with an air 

 of mingled fear and relief. 



The path down the Ingur has to cross another steep ridge 

 to reach the next basin, that of Betscho, watered by a tor- 

 rent flowing due south from the central chain. The climb 



