20 
CHAP. 
I. 
' 
THROUGH KUBAN TAHTARY, 
ready to take the oath of peace. We drove to 
head-quarters, and arrived as the grand caval- 
cade, consisting of the Ataman with a numerous 
escort ot Cossack officers, and delegates from 
all the troops of the Cossack army, were pro- 
ceeding to the river side, distant only half a mile 
from the town. We had never seen a more 
striking spectacle. The dresses worn by the 
officers were more beautiful than the most mag- 
nificent theatres ever exhibited, displaying every 
variety of colour and of ornament ; while their 
high-bred horses, glittering in embroidered 
housings, and prancing with flowing manes 
and tails, seemed conscious of the warlike dig- 
nity of their riders. Several Cossacks darted 
by us, upon the fleetest coursers, to join the 
van of the cavalcade. In front rode the Ataman , 
bareheaded, in a habit of blue velvet, with 
sleeves and trowsers of scarlet cloth, very richly 
embroidered. From his shoulders fell loosely 
a rich tunic, lined with blue silk, and fastened 
back by gold buttons. His boots, like those of 
all the other officers, were of red leather; and 
by his side was suspended a broad and costly 
sabre, in a sheath of red velvet, richly em- 
bossed with gold, and studded with turquoises. 
( ) n each side of him rode a party of his prin- 
cipal officers ; and behind him followed all the 
flower of the Cossack army, in most sumptuous 
