% 
TO THE FRONTIER OF CIRCASSIA. 
than we beheld even in the prison at Ekaterine- 
dara; where wounded Circassians, male and 
female, loaded with fetters, and huddled to- 
gether, were pining in grief and sickness. 
The Circassians being collected in much 
greater numbers on the Caucasian side of the 
Kuban, we applied to the Commander-in-chief, 
for permission to pass over into their territory. 
This was obtained with great difficulty ; and the 
Ataman, accompanied by several armed Cossacks, 
was ordered to attend us. We crossed the river 
in canoes ; and, arriving on the Circassian side, 
beheld the natives, who had been assembled 
from all parts of the country, gathered into 
groupes along the shore. Several of them, 
having a most savage aspect, were collected 
together about two hundred yards from the 
spot where we landed. Perceiving that the 
Ataman avoided going towards them, we begged 
that he would allow us that privilege. “ If it 
be your desire,” said he, taking his sabre from 
its scabbard, “ you shall not feel disappoint- 
ment upon my account; but you little know 
what sort of people Circassians are. They pay 
no respect to treaties, nor even to their own 
princes, when they see an opportunity of 
plunder ; and they are likely to do some of us 
injury before we return.” Our curiosity, however, 
d 1 
3 / 
CHAP. 
I. 
' 1 
