of the Old World. 401 



Here we found a supply of sheep, fowls, and forage 

 had been brought in during our absence ; so, after we 

 had pitched our tents and made the " inner man " 

 comfortable, our battle with the bear was fought over 

 again as we reclined round an immense fire, until 

 some of us began to nod, when we rolled ourselves 

 up in our blankets and turned in for the night, well 

 satisfied with our day's sport. 



I was awakened some time before dawn by 

 Kuchuc, who informed me that my baggage-pony 

 and three horses belonging to the Bey's people were 

 missing, and it was suspected that a predatory party 

 of Kabardines, known to be lurking in the neighbour- 

 hood, were the culprits, and had paid us a visit in the 

 night. 



The loss of a good baggage-animal is, at any time, 

 a serious inconvenience when travelling; but in a 

 wild and desolate country, like that of the eastern 

 coast of the Black Sea, it is almost an irremediable 

 misfortune, so I jumped up immediately to consult 

 with the Bey as to the best measures to take for the 

 recovery of the stolen property. I found him still 

 encased in sheepskins, but puffing furiously at his 

 chibouk, and giving vent to his indignation in a long 

 string of curses, loud and deep, against the marauders, 

 whom he designated as " vile dogs of Kaffirs (un- 

 believers) of unchaste parentage," &c. 



When I could get in a word, I advised him to 



2 D 



