Contents. xi 



CHAPTER XXII. 



CIRCASSIA continued. 



Circassian scenery. A false alarm. The Bey's Konak. Rifles and 

 revolvers. Circassian cuisine. A goose cooked a la Mrs. Harris. 

 Uninvited company. News of a bear. A night prowler. A hunts- 

 man's toilet. The route through the ravines. The lair. The Bey's 

 dogs give tongue. An enormous bear wounded. A man mauled. 

 The Bruin bites the^ dust. The bivouac. Horses stolen. Mussul- 

 man apathy. The pursuit. The trail. The plunderers surprised 

 and taken. Their punishment Page 389 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



CIRCASSIA continued. 



On the sale of Circassian females, and extenuating circumstances. 

 Their character. An exploring trip premeditated. The start. A 

 Russian fort. Bustard-shooting. Forest scenery. Difficulties en 

 route. Trout-fishing. Mosquitoes. A lovely valley. Wild-cattle 

 hunt. An awkward predicament. A bull and cow slain. Mode of 

 preserving the flesh. More game afoot. The ascent of the first 

 range. Mountain scenery. Mount El-Bruz in the distance. Diffi- 

 cult travelling. A bear started. A long shot. Strange feelings. 

 A frightful chasm, and exciting moment. Journey along the ridge. 

 The descent. Wolves. A Circassian hamlet. Hospitality. A 

 noble race. A Durbar, and the result of our consultation . . 407 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



CIRCASSIA, continued. THE ASCENT OP EL-BRUZ. 

 Forest scenery. The first halt. A glacier. A beautiful panorama. 

 Sunrise. A lammergeier slain. Glacier travelling. Eternal snow. 

 Avalanches. The lower summit attained. Our exultation. A 

 description of the higher summit. The impossibility of reaching it. 

 Grand scenery. Intense glare. The descent commenced. A 

 sudden death. Kuchuc's last resting-place. Fatiguing fag. The 

 bivouac in the pine-forest. An ibex killed. Return. Finale 427 



