TO THE FRONTIER OF CIRCASSIA. 45 
we cannot wonder at their conduct towards a chap. 
people whom they consider as tyrants and 1 — v — > 
infidels. Examples of heroism may be observed 
among them, which would have dignified the 
character of the Romans in the most virtuous 
periods of their history. Among the prisoners 
in the Cossack army, we saw some of the Circas- 
sians who had performed feats of valour, perhaps 
unparalleled. The commander-in-chief, General 
Drascovitz, maintained, that in all the campaigns 
he had served, whether against Turks or the 
more disciplined armies of Europe, he had never 
witnessed instances of greater bravery than he 
had seen among the Circassians. The troops 
of other nations, when surrounded by superior 
numbers, readily yield themselves prisoners of 
war ; but the Circassian, v'hile a spark of life 
remains, will continue to combat, even with a 
multitude of enemies. We saw a Circassian Remark- 
chief in the prison at Ekalerinedara, about thirty- stance of 
five years of age, who had received fifteen TcJrJI,'." 
desperate wounds before he fell and was made Sian ' 
prisoner, having fainted from loss of blood. This 
account was given to us by his bitterest enemies, 
and may therefore surely be trusted. He was 
first attacked by three of the Cossack cavalry. 
It was their object to take him alive, if possible, 
on account of his high rank, and the consideration 
in which he was held by his own countrymen. 
