Three Voyages in the Black Sea to the Coast of Circassia

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1837. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... on the right side of the bay in six fathoms, with a muddy bottom, at the distance of a musket-shot and a half from three store-houses on the shore. Our arrival had brought together a great number of Circassians on the beach. I thought it necessary to go on shore with the interpreter, who advised me to have some swords and pistols put into the boat; but I thought it more advisable to gain the confidence of the inhabitants by presenting ourselves to them unarmed, and abandoning ourselves to their hospitality. As we approached nearer, their numbers rapidly increased, and all of them appeared differently arrayed with glittering arms. I could not, however, help reflecting on my position; and I confess that my feelings were not unmingled with anxiety. I was approaching a wild people, known during so many centuries for their barbarism, and having nothing to oppose to their love of plunder but the solitary name of a man whom I did not know, with whose feelings towards me I was unacquainted, who lived about ten miles off, and whose protection, judging as a European, I dared not count upon. (How much I was deceived, and how respected and sacred is the feeling which the Tcherkesses attach to c hospitality! One sees this virtue put into practice amongst them, whilst with us we find it only in the writings of philosophers *.) On our landing, the Circassians surrounded us, and appeared impatient to hear the name of our Konak; this was to be the signal of our liberty or of our slavery. I made them understand that we were people belonging to Prince Mehmet Indar Oglou; they then stretched out their hands to us, and congratulated us on our happy arrival. As it was late, I contented myself with making inquiries after our Konak and the commissioners, to whom I sent an express, prom...