362 ASCENT OP ELBRUZ, 



nearly soutli, across tlie trougii of the Baksan to the cen- 

 tral chain opposite, the square-headed Tungzorun rose 

 grandly, its cliffs capped with a huge cornice of ice, and a 

 broad stainless glacier streaming down one of its flanks. 

 Further east, in a double-toothed giant, we recognised our 

 startling Suanetian acquaintance TJschba, bearing, it is 

 true, more ice on his northern side, but quite as inac- 

 cessible in appearance as from the south. 



Our enjoyment of the scene was interrupted by a perfectly 

 unforeseen disturbance. Our porters presented a demand for 

 their first two days' pay ; we reminded them that they had 

 distinctly agreed that the settlement was to be delayed 

 until our return to Uruspieh, but at the same time offered 

 the money in two notes. They refused it, and required 

 that each man should be given his exact portion ; we told 

 them we had not sufiicient small notes with us, on which 

 they amiounced their intention of returning home, and 

 leaving us to get our luggage back as best we could. Such, 

 unreasonable conduct could only be met with contempt, 

 and we answered that they might do as they pleased ; that 

 we should start soon after midnight, and should return in 

 the afternoon, and, unless our goods were carried safely 

 down to the shepherds' bivouac before nightfall, should 

 pay them nothing ; we added, that if any of them were 

 willing to attempt the ascent it would give us great 

 pleasure, and that they should have every assistance from 

 our rope and ice-axes. On receiving this message from Paul 

 the five all departed, as they would have had us believe, 

 never to return ; but in less than half an hour they came 

 back, like boys who had had their sulk out, and made a 

 half apology for their behaviour. This difiiculty being 

 satisfactorily smoothed over, the men retreated to lairs 

 somewhat lower down the hillside, while we prepared for 

 the night. Paul had, contrary to our advice, insisted on 



