24 THROUGH KUBAN TAHTARY, 
CH J AP ' an d nearly an equal slaughter took place 
L ^e others. The Russians lost only ten 
Cossacks, who were made prisoners ; but had not 
a man killed, and very few wounded. The 
number of Circassian prisoners was not great; 
so desperate was their valour, that they pre- 
ferred being cut to pieces, rather than surrender. 
The first overtures for peace were made by 
deputies from the Circassians, who demanded 
the cause of the war. The answer given by 
the Cossacks is curious, as it serves to call to 
mind similar laconic expressions made in antient 
times. “ You have played your gambols," said 
they, “ in our territory, these three years : we there- 
fore come for a little sport in yours" This answer 
being carried to the princes of the country, 
they came in great numbers to sue the Cossacks 
loi quarter and peace. In aid of this request, a 
scarcity of bread prevailed at that time among 
the allied forces of Russians and Cossacks; and 
the water of the country being bad, they 
retreated gradually across the Kuban : here 
iTpaf a the y were met by the Pasha of Anapa, coming 
of Anapa, with a great retinue and much ceremony, in 
the name of the Turkish Government, to inter- 
cede for the Circassians; and offering himself, 
at the same time, as a hostage for the security 
of their future conduct. To strengthen these 
assurances, he accompanied the Cossacks and 
