PROGRESS OF THE CONVOY. 
87 
the name of Christians, scarcely differ from their idolatrous 
kinsmen, excepting in a few religious usages, or rather forms ; 
for precept has little to do, as yet, with these barbarians. The 
memory of any thing that was taught by the holy personages 
established by the Georgian Princess, is now quickly sinking 
into oblivion, and the creed of Mahomet hangs by as slender a 
thread ; for, since the sultans have ceased to pay the sums they 
had agreed to give for every child that was circumcised into the 
law of the Prophet, these people have gradually neglected his 
rites, and fallen back into the idolatrous ways of their ancestors. 
It is, however, rather curious to observe, that, whatever general 
religion these tribes may profess, they all assume to themselves 
(and individually too) a particular protecting divine spirit, or 
genius, to whom they in silence address themselves when in 
distress of mind or body; calling upon him for assistance, in the 
decision of any domestic feud, the prosecution of more general 
warfare, a marauding excursion, or even for success in the rob¬ 
bery of a caravan, or a single traveller ! So much for the 
standard of their religious morality ! 
All being in readiness to move, we started at six o’clock, from 
Kobi, on the morning of October the 7th, O. S. Our soldiers 
and Cossacks knew well the hidden track, and trod it securely, 
though very winding and steep, in an easterly direction, up the 
side of the Kristawaja, or Mountain of the Cross. The road was 
improved by the frost, which, otherwise, from the late wet wea¬ 
ther, would have been extremely slippery and dangerous. We 
moved steadily on; and the convoy, by degrees, but not without 
very laborious exertion, gained the summit of the great barrier. 
Both horses and men halted with infinite joy, to look around 
them, and, for a few minutes at least, to “ rest, and be thankful.” 
