DON COSSACKS. 
303 
society. After these remarks, it must neverthe- chap. 
XII. 
less be confessed, that we were compelled to v . ■ — 
take an escort with us throughout the Cossack 
territory, and to place a guard over our car- 
riage at night; precautions, doubtless, often 
calculated to excite the ridicule of the people 
among whom we travelled ; yet even the Cossacks 
themselves sometimes urged the necessity of so 
doing , — “on account," they said, “of the Calmuchs .” 
One evil consequence arising from attention 
paid to tales of danger, is the habit it occasions 
of putting a false construction upon the most 
harmless and most trivial incidents. The first 
night of our residence among the Cossacks we 
were full of idle fancies. The Ataman was 
intoxicated, and set off, accompanied by his 
wife, into the country ; leaving us in possession 
of his house. As we had heard a violent 
altercation without doors, and saw our host, 
in a corner of the court, frequently whispering 
to other Cossacks, and pointing to our carriage, 
the effect of the silly stories we had heard began 
to operate, and we imagined some preparation 
was making to rob us; for which purpose it 
was necessary to get rid of the Ataman and his 
wife, as they might otherwise be made respon- 
sible for. our safety. The apprehension of our 
servants did not diminish the suspicion thus 
