of the Old World. 425 



attention for he was profuse in his thanks and offers 

 of service he shook his head and looked grave when 

 I again brought the El-Bruz on the tapis, assuring me 

 that the ascent was impossible, not only on account 

 of the depth of snow, but also because it was in- 

 habited by evil spirits such as " gins," " afrits," and 

 " gholes," who would not allow any mortal to pene- 

 trate into their sanctuaries. I made light of his fears, 

 repeating the Mussulman creed "Allah e Allah, 

 Mahomed Roosool il hum du lilla" and declared that 

 I would make the attempt even if I knew the place 

 to be the haunt of all the shytans of Jehannum.* 

 This was a " clincher," and after some discussion be- 

 tween Ishmael (our guide), Cassim, and some of the 

 elders of the tribe, it was settled that two of their 

 number should accompany us, as they knew more 

 about the mountain than any one else, having been 

 obliged at one time to take refuge there when pur- 

 sued by a predatory hostile party. These gave me 

 to understand that there was a deserted konac some 

 distance up the mountain, up to which point our 

 horses could go, so I resolved to make the necessary 

 preparations that evening, and start for the place 

 early the next morning. What little superfluous 

 baggage I had I left in charge of the chief, and then 

 ordered Hoossain, Kuchuc, and Cassim to accompany 



* Shytans of Jehannum demons of the infernal regions. 



