KARAKLISSA. 
165 
mountain, we followed its windings for near a mile ; and then, 
passing over it once more, entered a very deep wood. The 
ground, or low thicket, through which we plunged, to reach a 
new ascent, was covered to the depth of two feet with snow ; 
and the difficulties our horses encountered, by such treacherous 
footing, increased at every movement. The path up the height 
itself, did not afford a more secure one; and when the ascent 
was achieved, similar impediments presented themselves. We 
had to keep along the ridge of a chain of rugged hills, whose 
situation exposed us to every blast, while the road itself, over 
which we travelled some hours, was slippery and dangerous. 
At the extent of eighteen wersts, we reached the Cossack post 
of Vaganz; where we were to change our tired baggage-horses 
for fresh ones. That done, we recommenced our day’s march, 
over the same sort of rough track, for six wersts farther, till 
we joined the river again. We re-crossed it, and took a western 
direction, along its northern bank, to the great military station 
of Karaklissa. This place is situated in the heart of a narrow 
valley, about seven wersts from its entrance, and close to the 
bed of the Bambek, where a mountain-torrent, bearing the name 
of the town, falls into the river. Winter had laid his “ cold 
and shrouded hand” on every object. Besides the thick snow, 
which spread over all things, the smaller streams from the hills 
were arrested in their course ; and even the impetuous motion 
of the river was staid in places, and frozen to the depth of 
several inches. 
Karaklissa, besides being honoured with a battalion of infantry, 
is the head-quarters of the general, commanding the troops on 
the frontier; but the place itself is in a poor state of fortification, 
though the commandant is doing his best to set the works in 
order. 
