GENERAL DEL POZZO. 
59 
individuals in each, he is enabled by their information to 
frustrate any scheme of intended warfare or depredation; and 
often to come at the knowledge of the existence and places of 
captivity of any unfortunate Christians who may have become 
their prisoners. These latter advantages beyond his compeers 
were dearly purchased by the General. He, himself, had the 
misfortune, several years ago, to fall into the hands of a party of the 
Tchetchinzi, who, carrying him away into their rocky fastnesses, 
treated him with every hardship their savage natures could 
devise; yet they preserved him alive because they knew some¬ 
thing of his importance to his sovereign, and hoped to get a 
rich reward for his ransom. Besides, such are the strange in¬ 
consistencies amongst barbarians, while loading him with se¬ 
verities, they frequently applied to his acknowledged superior 
wisdom to decide not only disputes in their domestic relations, 
but often greater matters of discussion, implicating the general 
interests of the tribe. These circumstances, and the length of 
his captivity, enabled him to make considerable progress in the 
acquirement of the Tchetchinzi language, and to become mi¬ 
nutely acquainted with their traditions, manners, customs, and 
the probable views of their depredatory way of life. He also 
formed connections amongst them which he hoped might, at 
some future day, (should he ever regain his liberty,) enable him 
yet farther to serve Russia in her most essential points on the 
line of the Caucasus. After having worn away twelve long- 
months in this anxious state, between hope and fear, and the 
present evils of slavery, ten thousand roubles, I am informed, 
were offered, and accepted, for his ransom ; and he returned to 
freedom, and the exercise of those talents which have increased 
i 2 
