to explain at some length that he could only approve the choice of the people, as it was quite impossible for him to make judicious appointments, seeing that every man was a perfect stranger to him. Some dissatisfaction was shown at this reply, but after a time the crowd moved away, and almost immediately hurried back, pushing to the front one of their number who was doing his best to resist The favourite refused to be the ' elder,' in the first place because his three years' term as s^lsky sotidyA, * rural judge,' had just expired and he desired to be released from further responsibility, and because he thought that no greater misfortune could visit him than that of becoming mamasaklysy. ' I killed a man in the next village to this ten years ago; I have paid his relations the full amount of blood-money, but they are not satisfied, and I believe that they are seeking an opportunity for revenge; if I am made mamasaklysy, I know what I will do — I will kill another of the family, the man who wants to kill me.' This was the explanation offered, but the Chief told him, that if he persisted in making such a statement he should arrest him, and have him tried for murder; on the other plea, however, that of having already served as judge, he was entitled to decline the new honour, and a fredi election must take place. The determination of the people was not to be altered, for they clamoured in favour of the late judge, and voxpopuli being vox Dei, he was prevailed upon to accept the office.
When the elections for both communes were completed, the swearing in took place; the new ' elders * and their ' aids ' were made to repeat the oath of allegiance, kiss a cross and Bible, and cross themselves, the former being invested with the brass chain and badge of office, and the latter with a brass badge and thumb-
VOL. II. F
by Google ring, the formalities terminating with a few words spoken by the Chief, which were well received.
The Swanny, who are iai^ely superstitious, have never been known to abandon the use of images entirely. Before the imposition of the Russian priesthood, they were in the habit of pledging themselves by throwing a bullet at an image, at the same time saying: ' May this ball be the cause of my death, if I break away from the promise I have made.' The minister, who was necessarily present, picked up the bullet and returned it In the commune of Oushkoul, where the people are the most irreclaimable, this form of oath is still in practice.
The men having been dismissed, Tenghyz called upon them in a stentorian voice to dance and sing before their new Chief. Without any hesitation, some twenty lay down their arms, and formed a ring by crossing the elbows and grasping each other firmly at the waist, when they began to move round to their right, taking a step to the front and a step to the rear with the right foot, in slow motion, some words that were grumbled out by the senior of the party being repeated by the rest in chorus, at first very slowly, then a little quicker, and with livelier movements; but it was only after Tenghyz had taken his place in the ring that the men showed any animation, for he stirred them up to action and louder grumblings.
Snatching their arms up suddenly, they fell into line and went through what was probably intended for a series of military movements, but what appeared to be vague and senseless motions, the words of command from the man at the head of the column being repeated by the rest, now in concert, then in succession, rifles being carried at the slope and occasionally raised to the shoulder pointed downwards, as if their fire was directed against foes in plains below.
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Some, having swords, would draw them and cut leisurely at an imaginary enemy, I must confess to the totally unpoetic nature of the treat, notwithstanding the Prince's good-natured exertions, for nothing could be duller and less interesting than the heavy movements and inharmonious sounds of these uncouth mountaineers; and a forbidding-looking set of fellcws they are, these Independent Swanny; many were wretchedly clad, but all carried rifles and kynjdls, some a pistol, and every man wore a conical head covering of felt, and the bourka so dear to the Caucasian, now so familiar to us, one of the inanimate objects which Franklin would have included among those having a place in the heart.