CONVOY TO TIFLIS. 
57 
of one continued ascent, we, in front, gained the summit of the 
highest hill of the range, which here runs parallel with that of 
the Caucasus, and appears to be divided from those cloud- 
capped mountains by a vast plain ; but, on crossing it, we found 
it only flat by comparison. 
, On reaching the top of the hill, we were hailed by our pro¬ 
mised reinforcement, — fifty soldiers, with a six-pounder, an 
officer, and about twenty Cossacks. The officer halted us for 
an hour, in order to let the tail of the waggon-column come up. 
As soon as the whole had closed in, we proceeded, beginning a 
gentle descent, on a fine road between rough heights, and a 
wild desolate looking country, without a tree. When we ar¬ 
rived at some little distance from the borders of the plain, the 
officer, who was a mere boy in years, made a stop, and announced 
his intention of resting the whole party there for several hours, 
the beasts being so fatigued by their exertions, as to be knocking 
up on all sides of us. He apprised me, that the post, however, 
must proceed to Gregoropolis without delay ; and he left me 
to my own pleasure to accompany it, or remain for the marching 
of the convoy; which, he added, could not possibly reach that 
post before midnight. Dispatch being at present my first aim, 
I did not hesitate accepting the proposal, but requested as many 
Cossacks for an escort, as he could conveniently spare. Most 
of my fellow-travellers, who were independent of the mer¬ 
chandise, on hearing my determination, declared their dislike 
of halting so long in so bleak a situation, and decided at once 
to be my companions. We then set forth, marshalling our 
Cossacks, some in front, others on our flanks ; and some in ad¬ 
vance to prevent surprise: and, besides these, every individual 
else of the party was ready with his arms, in case of necessity. 
VOL. i. i 
i 
