CONVOY TO TIFLIS. 
53 
his charge. Our force consisted of one six-pounder, a hundred 
chasseurs, and forty Cossacks. The convoy it was to guard con¬ 
sisted of the post (or mail), fifty chariots of salt, and as many of 
European merchandise ; travellers, about ten or twelve, mounted 
on horseback; half a dozen bristchkas; and my own, with 
another caleche, closed up the rear. I found the officer in com¬ 
mand, and his subaltern, the only two persons under canvass. 
He received me, however, with the accustomed welcome of his 
nation ; and ordered my equipage to be placed near the mail, 
behind his tent, as the most secure situation, from all chance of 
its being cut off. During the time we were together, I derived 
considerable information respecting the countries of our march 
from his conversation ; for he was observing and intelligent, and 
for more than ten years had been in that line of duty, without 
one day’s leave of absence, or once having repassed the Terek. 
At day-break a drum gave the signal for the horses, cattle, 
&c. to be harnessed, and every one to prepare himself for 
marching. At the expiration of half-an-hour, all were in readi¬ 
ness ; and the sounding of a second signal put the whole in mo¬ 
tion. The gun, and a party of infantry, moved first. Several 
Cossacks were advanced in front, whilst others were thrown out 
to the left and right at various distances to prevent surprise. 
The merchandise brought up the rear, with an adequate number 
of chasseurs for its protection. We had this day, Monday, Oc¬ 
tober the 1st (O. S.,) to march thirty wersts; but our pace was 
tediously slow, in order to enable the laden chariots to keep up 
with the lighter vehicles. Our way lay through steep hills and 
wide ravines, breaking into a thousand wild and abrupt ascents 
and descents, and winding away into depths whose precipitous 
obscurities, increased, by contrast, the picturesque animation of 
