AN ALARM FROM THE COURDS. 
679 
of their armed herdsmen to flight; some of whom, hastily enter¬ 
ing the place with their fearful accounts, had raised this im¬ 
mediate commotion. The scene was a strange one to a foreigner 
from civilised Europe, all being panic or revenge, shrieks, 
lamentations, blustering, bawling, consultations, and calling to 
arms, without a plan either of defence or attack. But an act of 
retaliation was determined, and it was to take place next morning 
at day-break. In short, such is the foray life of these half-wild 
natives ; from year to year invading each others borders, stealing 
herd for herd, striking blow for blow ; and, as such expeditions 
seldom occur without costing the lives of some in one party or 
the other, the feud of blood is never allowed to cease. For 
instance, it was not long before I heard from good authority in 
the place, that a few weeks ago the men of Kara-Koulak had 
sallied forth into the mountain-valleys of the Gourds, and being 
aware that the male inhabitants of two of the villages were at 
some distance on a similar errand, the honest gentlemen, now 
in such hot indignation at the driving of their own sheep, pillaged 
the unguarded habitations of their enemies; and, amongst other 
plunder, produced 500 purses, each purse containing 500 piastres 
to their chief; 300 of which were dispatched immediately as a 
present to the Pasha of Arzeroom; but it was not to be supposed 
that such a way of gathering their tribute, would not speedily be 
acknowledged by a visit in kind from the real owners of the trea¬ 
sure. The consequent unsettled state of our quarters, where 
two confused ideas prevailed, whether the arming inhabitants 
were likely to be the first in the next attack, or be prevented by 
a call to defend themselves, obliged us to look to our own prowess 
for protection; and accordingly we resolved to start early the 
following morning without farther thought of an extra guard. 
