LESGHEES. 
521 
the late war in these countries. He would have nothing to do 
with the peace, which gave them tranquillity ; and even within 
these few weeks, his unquenchable hatred of Russia has been 
exerting itself to rekindle the smouldering flame, never entirely 
extinguished between these lawless tribes and the imperialists. 
But, when their own liberty is not assailed, their arms and 
friendship are sold to the highest bidder. Mr M. Kinnier re¬ 
marks, that they not only hire themselves out to military service, 
to any of the neighbouring states, but “ often take different 
sides, it being of no consequence to them against whom they 
fight; and it has not unfrequently occurred, that the Lesghee 
falls by the sword of his brother, or most intimate friend.” 
When Alexander Mirza left them, with the greatest difficulty, 
bravery, and address, he made his way from the fastnesses of 
that inaccessible country, and when his road lay by any defended 
post, literally opened a path with his sword through Shirwan, 
till he reached the Persian frontier, and threw himself on 
the generous faith of Abbas Mirza. It was impossible to look 
on this intrepid prince, however wild and obdurate, without 
interest; without that sort of pity and admiration, with which a 
man might view the royal lion hunted from his hereditary 
waste, yet still returning to hover near, and roar in proud lone¬ 
liness his ceaseless threatenings to the human strangers who had 
disturbed his reign. 
After about four months passed at Tabreez, I began discussing 
the completion of my travels over Courdistan. Almost the whole 
of the eastern part remained yet to be explored ; and Dr. Cor- 
mick’s account of the caves in the mountain of Kerefto, where 
he had lately been, redoubled my impatience to be again a-stir. 
Meanwhile, however, gratitude for the facilities already expe- 
3 x 
VOL. II. 
