TO THE FRONTIER OF CIRCASSIA. 
. 
dresses, curbing their foaming and neighing 
steeds. We were now, by the daman’s orders, 
placed in the van of the procession ; and soon 
arriving upon the high grounds forming the 
northern bank of the Kuban, beheld the encamp- 
ment of the Turks and Circassians, upon a small 
plain, close to the water’s edge. The Pasha, 
surrounded by his attendants, was seated in his 
tent, smoking, with the awning drawn up on all 
sides. He was attended by a Turkish courier 
from the Porte, by his own dragoman or inter- 
preter, and by several of the most powerful 
Circassian princes, dressed in the savage and 
extraordinary habits worn by the different tribes 
of Caucasus : some of which will be hereafter 
more particularly noticed. Upon the opposite 
shore appeared a very considerable multitude 
of Circassians, collected either by curiosity, or 
in the hope of commerce with the Cossacks, 
when the terms of peace should be concluded. 
The greater part of them remained at a distance 
from the rest, exhibiting evident caution and 
mistrust, as if uncertain what termination the 
business of the day might have. As soon as 
the Cossack cavalry made its appearance, the Cir- 
cassian deputies rose, and came to the entrance 
of the Pasha’s tent, who was seen in front of 
the party, bearing in his hand a small tuft 
of camel's hair fastened to an ivory handle : 
2 7 
CHAP. 
I. 
