The British minister for  foreign affairs Lord Palmerston didn't want to adopt an attitude that could cause tension between Great Britain and Russia. He believed in the importance of British trade interests in Russia. He couldn't sacrifice it for the sake of a handful of Caucasians, who still existed in tribal organization.

            It had been due to this policy that had been upset by the report of  Ambassador Lord Ponsonbi and his First Secretary Davit Urquhart, dispatched from Istanbul. He blamed them for creating problems out of the blue.

            The fact of the matter, however,  was that the two diplomats were absolutely sincere. They were certain that what they were doing was correct and was to the best interests of the Great Britain. Besides, the issue also involved a humanitarian aspect, which ought not be ignored; no matter whether the Caucasians were civilized and independent relative to the Russians.  The report was intended to ensure that Britain warned the Czar against his incursions on the territories of the civilized and freedom loving people of Caucasia. Subsequently, the report argued that the Caucasians should be helped because the Caucasian resistance to Russian domination had slowed down the Russian advances in the direction of the approach routes to British India.  It was imperative for Britain to support the Caucasian resistance to offset the trend of Russian aggrandizement in the area, the report concluded.

            To the Foreign Secretary the Ambassador and his Secretary had exceeded their authority. The visit of David Urquhart to Caucasia by itself had been an unpardonable mistake. Hence the young diplomat was dismissed.

            Urquhart was regretted not because he lost his job, but because he could not have the Caucasian Cause be duly understood. He left Istanbul with a strong resentment to Lord Palmerston, who did not want to understand him.

            During  his voyage to England he was preoccupied with reading documents on Caucasia, and thinking about  the people he had seen in there. He had given his word of honor to the Caucasians that  he would advocate their cause to the end. He had devised a new preoccupation, a new ideal, for himself. And that was the welfare of Caucasia¹ .

            As soon as he returned home, he got to work. He figured he needed a press organ to the advocate his Cause, the Caucasian cause. So, as first attempt he published a bilingual, English and French, periodical called Portfoli.
            The French edition of his journal was intended to universalize the Caucasian Cause. For French had been the common language of European intellectuals of the time. Members of the Russian and Ottoman Palaces were influenced by the French culture.

            The first issue of  the Portfoli, carried an article written by Urquhart castigating the Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston. He accused him of ignoring the

             British interests, of being a Russian collaborator, and for conniving at the repression of the weaker nations. 

            Poland had been trampled under the Russian boots. Many Polish refugees had taken refuge in the European countries, including Britain. The Polish tragedy had left an indelible impression in the memories.

            The young diplomat had established a parallelism in the Polish and the Caucasian causes. Both the countries were victims of Russian aggrandizement. Hence he promoted both the causes at the same platform.

            He was motivated to take this course of action not only because of the Polish refugees in Britain; but also because of the impact of his observations d during his visit to Caucasian coasts.

            Russians conscripted the Poles, and dispatched them  to fight on the Caucasian front. These unfortunate people, themselves victims of repression, had no wish to  fight against another oppressed people. When the opportunity presented itself, they deserted the Russian army, and took refuge with the Adiğes. In spite of being devote catholic, the Poles were adapt to live in the Muslim community of Caucasia. No doubt, remarkable religious tolerance of the Adiğes played a major role in that.

            Urquhart gradually began reaping the yields of his efforts. Though he hadn't yet achieved a tangible success in the political arena, but he had kindled the idea in the conscience of the British  intellectuals. Other publications began to publish news items and editorials on Caucasia.

            All that did not suffice to mobilize the public opinion, or to influence the government policy. The amenable  changes occurring at the intellectuals’ level had to be turned into action. Other avenues had to be tried. 

            Caucasia was a virginland in terms of trade relations. It was rich in raw material that could be exploited by the civilized world. These could be bought in exchange of industrial goods. Large profits could be realized as a result.

            He had noted the requirements of the Adiğes during his two weeks visit to Northern Caucasia. The most important items in demand were fire-arm and salt.

            Since the occupation of Crimea and the Taman region by the Russians, the Adiğes were deprived of the salt produced the shores of  the Sea of Azak² . Russia exploited the Salt  as a weapon to break the Caucasian resistance.

            Urquhart concentrated on this aspect of the problem. He promoted the theme that those who would engage in trade in salt with Caucasia would make a good profit. His excite the British merchants to get involved in the affair.

            It was at that juncture that he came to know James Bell.

            James Bell and his wife had just set up a trading company. They were interested to pick up a significant business line.  Davit Urquhart's words stimulated their imagination.

            Yet, there was something that made James Bell wary. Urquhart, while talking about the rich natural resources of Caucasia, also mentioned about the Russian blockade of the Caucasian coast.

            He approached the Foreign Office for precise information. He asked whether the Black Sea was open to international trade.

            Palmerston, the British Minister for foreign affairs, replied James Bell in writing.  He confirmed that "The Black Sea is open to international trade," and let it be known that according to the existing treaties the British merchant ships could call at any of the ports on the Caucasian coast they wished.

            James Bell's concerns were dissipated. He started preparations right away. Urquhart had told him many times implements of war like fire-arms, gun-powder and bullets were very items of high demand. Nonetheless, he thought that arms trade could be very expensive and dangerous. He prepared a cargo mostly consisted of salt. Then, he hired a ship named "Vixen"

            In fact  James Bell hadn’t  contemplate taking the voyage.  He intended to     entrust the goods to one of his employees or to the captain of the vessel.  He, however, changed his mind at the last moment; hurriedly prepared himself for the journey under the bewildered gaze of his wife, and took to the harbor. 

             Vixen sailed off  England late in the summer of 1836. It covered the long distance with not much difficulty. Cleared by  Turkish customs, Vexin passed through the Bosphorous Strait, and moved on to the Black Sea. It entered the Bay of Tsemez on the Twenty-first of December.

            The sea was rather rough. It took the crew two days to establish to contact with those on the coast. On the third day Russian warships spotted Vixen.  It was promptly arrested.

            James Bell and the captain of the ship tried to resist with no avail. The Russian Admiral told them a state of war existed in Caucasia, the shores were under blockade, and violation of it was regarded as a criminal offense.

            The ship was impounded somewhere off Crimean shores. The crew was placed under arrest. In London it was received with an uproar as a scandalous act on the part of the Russian Naval authorities.

             The British government, especially the Foreign Office, were strongly criticized. The opposition, the press, and the intellectuals unleashed an extensive campaign, demanding explanation from “those responsible for the disgrace of the Great Britain by Russia.”

            Urquhart seized the moment to hit Lord Parlmerston at his most vulnerable  point. He grabbed his pen and wrote an article clearly describing the extent of the error.

            The young man was said:

            "Russians have been denying the existence of a blockade on the Caucasian shores. The honorable Foreign Secretary believed it. He justified the Russians. The Vixen Incident clearly demonstrates that the Russians and Lord Palmerston both had been lying!"

            Lord Palmerston was cornered. He was forced to pay attention to the subject.

            The incident led to a diplomatic dispute. There didn't seem to be a easy way out. The Russians didn't seem prepared to apologize for the Vixen incident. If they did, they would have to lift the blockade.

            Russian Foreign Ministry persisted in their earlier lies, but tried to correct the gaffe of the Navy Commandment. They withdrew the claim that "Vixen violated the blockade.” They explained that Vixen was taken under protection in Crimea due to the dangerous situation in the Caucasian waters.

            The incident was not conceded up as fast as the diplomatic circles wished to. Protest demonstrations were continued to be organized. It was demanded  that indemnity be claimed, and case it was rejected,  war should be declared against Russia.

            The British merchants marketing the Manchester textiles in Russia, who  had  been making good profits out of the business, didn't want to loose a big market as Russia. Hence the big business magnets supported Lord Palmerston. They persuaded the rest of the members of the government to keep the incident at low-key.

            James Bell suffered a serious loss for his goods had been confiscated, and himself and his men had been placed under arrest. To him it was too much to condescend. Upon his release James Bell came to Istanbul, where he stayed for a whole winter season. He met with the diplomats  in the British Embassy, and made preparation for yet another attempt to visit Caucasia. 

            He hired  Arundel to take him to Caucasia early in the spring of 1837.  The Captain of the vessel, Watsaz, who was indisposed at that time, hired a Turkish sailor named Kadir to  assistant him³. 

            Besides, James Bell allowed to board the vessel a number of Turks and Caucasians, who had been waiting at the Istanbul harbor for a ship to taken them to Caucasia. It was the  middle of the month of April when Arundel sailed out of Istanbul. 

            Vixen incident had caused a big sensation.  It had became a matter of  common knowledge. When the Caucasian passengers on board of Arundel came to know that James Bell was the owner of Vixen, the ship arrested a year ago; they took great interest in him.

            Arundel, like Vixen, hit upon the line of the Russian blockade. There was an attempt to stop her at Abhazian shores. A warship sent a warning shot.

            The Caucasians on board responded the order to "Halt!" by a counter-fire arms. James Bell was surprised to see Russian warships equipped with long range guns being fired at matchlock rifle. He said by himself, "These people are as daring as Urquhart had described them to be!" .

            The First Captain was taken ill, and Khader, the next man in command took charge. The Caucasian guides told to veer towards the shore. When the deputy captain hesitated, he asked him look over the shore.

            The people on land had seen the incident, several warriors rushed to the shore. They were firing their rifles to the warships, and cheering the British vessel.

            The commandants of the two Russian warships couldn't go on any further. They were aware of the diplomatic crisis stirred by the Vixen incident. In addition Arundel carried British and Russian flags. She abided by the rules of the treaties.

            Arundel, then continued on its course with no obstacles. She reached the Bay of Tsemez negotiating the coast line.

                                                            O0O

            A year ago the Vixen Incident had stirred up a lot of excitement.  Russia had impounded a vessel that belonged to Britain, the most powerful nation of the world. No doubt such a piracy like that  could not be expected to go unpunished. Britain would certainly retaliate. So believed the people on the shore in general, and most of their leaders.

            Those who sighted Arundel at the Tsemez harbor immediately recalled the Vixen incident. It caused them a great sensation.

            There was a young nobleman among the crow at the harbor when James Bell and his friends disembarked on the shore. Aslan Geri, a Çipako, came forward to receive the visitors. He took all of them to his house.

            Bell and the captains had their first meal in Caucasia at the home of Aslan Geri.

            In a short while later the leaders of the region gathered. In short intervals, Geriyiko Şemız, Bastiko Pşımef and Batmazyiko Ali arrived at the guest house of Aslan Geri.

            Şemız and Ali were well conversant in Turkish. James Bell had brought from Istanbul a Georgian interpreter fluent in English.

            At this first meeting, Turkish, English and Adige were used in sequence. The words of one language interpreted to the next and then to the third one obviously got distorted in meaning in the process. nevertheless the parties didn't have much difficulty in understanding each other.

            It was not proper in Caucasia to take away anther’s  guest. Geriyiko Şemız, however, being an elder member of the Çipako-Indar family, didn't see anything wrong in taking Bell to his own home. He went further by allowing Ali Bey to host the captains.

            Bastiko Pşımef proposed to take the two Turkish merchants in Bell’s party.

            Aslan Geri didn't disappoint his elders. He welcomed the idea. The crew, however stayed onboard the ship. Geri announced he would take care of them. The young nobleman pleased Bell and the captains.

            In the following days the cargo on the ship was unloaded.

            Because of the poor security arrangements at the shore,  the  cargo was removed  to the barracks at Şemız's yard.

            In the meantime Bell had a chance to get to know the leaders and had discussions with them. What he heard from horrified him.

            The Russians had used the Vixen Incident to their own advantage as a  over extended propaganda topic. It was claimed that the British Empire also had yielded to the Russian position, and that the British authorities had had no courage to contradict the Russians.

            They had attempted to intimidate Adiğes by spreading such rumors at the shore and also the Kuban front. It was intended as a counter-propaganda to offset  effect of endeavors of David Urquhart.

            On the fourth day of Trundle’s arrival in Tsemez Bay. Bastiko Pşımef had a dinner party at his home in honor of James Bell. He invited all his friends.

            During the dinner and afterwards many things were discussed. The visitors were briefed on the recent confrontations with the Russian forces and the losses the Adiğes had suffered.

            Pşımef’s chestnut beard had quite grayed. Deep wrinkles had formed on his forehead. The permanent sad expression on his face reflected the distress of his people.

            Pşımef offered a detailed report of the situation in northern Caucasia.

            Geriyiko Şemız never accepted the defeat. He interrupted the conversation every once in awhile: "Since we have decided to fight, stop complaining!", he often interjected.  He didn't approve their losses be mentioned in the presence of an outsider.

            Pşımef knew his very well. He didn't mind his interruptions. He carried on with his own talk under Şemız’s sneering eyes.

            - We wouldn't have minded , if our enemy, the Russians behaved honestly. The Czar and his commandants have been telling ties all the time. There is nothing they wouldn't say to deceive our unsophisticated people. For example when your ship was arrested, the claimed that  your King was afraid to protest it!

            James Bell turned crimson with anger. He looked at the captain and his deputy sitting by him. He exclaimed through his teeth in rage.

            - You see, don't you? How incredible!

            Captain Watsaz had traveled all around the world. He had seen many countries and met with different people. He wasn't feeling good. He, said in a low tone, "You are right!"

            Pşımef went on.

            - According to information available to us; they have been concocting stories about us beyond imagination, and attempting to make others to believe them. They say: "Caucasians are a bunch of barbarians and savages!" For God’s sake, please go around and see the are by yourself! If you wish we can take you to the Kuban banks. You'll see if it is us or them who are the savages!

            He paused for a moment took a breath.

            - We've come to know the deceitful nation. We don't trust them, they never stand by their own words. We've decided to fight them out to the end.

            Pşımef did not know the actual structure of the British Empire. He was not aware that it had colonial possession, where it exploited numerous peoples, whose population varied, but totaled several times numerous that the population of the Britain itself. It never occurred to him that the Britain had started colonialism earlier than the Russians did, and that Russia had been following the British example. He was sincere.

            He concluded,

            - Let's say ‘we are done with.’ Let's say we were chosen by God to set an example to sacrifice ourselves. But, the civilized nations of Europe shouldn't trust Russians, shouldn’t be carried away by their propaganda. They shouldn't wait for similar tragedies endured by ourselves to see the reality. Please, convey this appeal of us to everybody!

            Bell was so much impressed by Pşımef’s words that he couldn’t utter a word. For a moment he imagined himself being at the House of Lords in London. He was puzzled that an uneducated, uninformed popular leader could have such a wide perception of world politics.

            "I wonder, if the interpreter is adding his own ideas?" he doubted for a moment. The Georgian was with him for the last twenty days. He never had observed any sign of such skill in him.

            James Bell decided to stay in Caucasia longer than he had originally planned. He exchanged his goods through Geriyiko Şemız and Batmazyiko Ali. He wrote letters to his wife, to David Urquhart,  and to his friend John A. Longworth.

            In his letters he stated that his extended residence in Caucasia had been prompted by the following factors;

            "I want to get to know these honest and noble people better, and want to grasp the facts!"

            Arundel received its new cargo, and sail out of  the Tsemez harbor with a ceremony. Captain Watsaz had been ill since his arrival at the coast. Ali Bey prepared for him healing herbal syrups. By the time of his departure he had recovered, and had regained his health and good spirit.

            James Bell felt himself at home as if he were  amongst his own old friends.  With no feelings of outsider, he walked back to the village, flanked by Geriyiko Şemız and Bastiko Pşımef.

                                                            O0O

            It is usually hard to correctly assess the ones you meet for the first time; for the details are perceived later, depending on the duration of association. Both are generally reserved, and conducts carefully so as not to make mistakes.

            The same rule was valid in the case with James Bell also. He warily observed Geriyiko Şemız, Bastiko Pşımef and others, who dwelled in simple dwarf dwellings.

            At first the first glance he couldn't believe his eyes if they were the same people said to have withstood the hundred thousand strong Russian army on the land, and the Russian fleet of countless warships on the sea. He suspected they might posses a secret weapon or something not yet disclosed to him. He wanted to find out soonest.

            He had read about Caucasia and the Caucasians, and had heard David Urquhart’s story. Naturally he didn't expect to see a structure like Royal Palace in England. What he find out what  inspired the Caucasian. He had been at a loss to  grasp it.

            Curious as he had been on the matter,  he kept on asking questions. He told his host Şemız that he wanted to have a trip around the country.

            It was the second week of May, when Geriyiko Şemız took his guest to the south. They went down as far as Mamay, at the Abhazian border. They visited the Vardan and Tuaps. James Bell was spell bound by the gifts of nature her saw there. 

            Haci Huzbek having been informed of the arrival of a foreign visitor, set out to catch him up. He met him met in Vaye. They, all together, then called on visited Zaziyiko Mehmet at Cuga.

            By the time Bell and his companions came to Pşat to visit Indaryiko Mehmet, there were forty persons in the group.

            There was a large Russian garrison at the Bay of Gelincik.  To avoid being spotted by the Russians, the party followed  mountain trails.  They halted at a hill top to watch the Russian military installation at the Bay. 

            They cut short the trip and returned to Tsemez due to the meeting to be held at Adıgum at the end of May.  They got on the road to Adegum after only a day's rest in Tsemez. Bastiko Pşımef and Geriyiko in this trip as well.

            At Adegum meeting Bell had a chance to meet other leaders such as Kadi Haci Mehmet, Kadi Haci Ismail, Kalabatuko Hatuk and Havuduko Mansur. He was deeply impressed by the rational discourse by Haci Mehmet and Havuduko Mansur.

            He had met with Haci Huzbek at Vaye, during his first trip to the south, and they had traveled together on the return trip to Tsemez. He had heard from Huzbek had narrated to him in details of how he had routed a large Russian army at the Abin valley.

                                                            267

            He was surprised at the absence of this famous hero at the meeting. He supposed his absence could have been due to some sort of disagreement.

            The Russians had mounted a raid at the Abin Valley once again; and Hacı Huzbek had gone there to receive the enemy.  Haci Huzbek, together with Şurukyiko Duğuj and Janbulat, having beaten the enemy, turned up at the Adgum meeting and met with Bell once again, and presented Duğuj and Janbulat to him.

            The venue of the meeting was another point that intrigued him. He couldn't understand why a distant open space in the midst of  huge oak trees had been preferred over so many settlements in the neighborhood. He inquired Kadi Haci Ismail Efendi.

            Kadi amusedly replied: “An ancient tradition!”

            Bell wasn't satisfied with the answer. He insisted,

            - But there is always a logic behind every traditional mandate.” 

            Haci Ismail explained that the ancient Adiğes considered huge oak trees as sacred, and held their communal  gatherings under their shadow. He added that in spite of conversion to Islam, there were legacy of old faith enshrined in the collective memory of the people, including those of  Judaism and Christianity, once common in the coast.

            Bell was impressed by Hack’s explanation. He had difficulty in understanding the way the Adiğes had preserved their cultural wealth in spite absence of any written documents on the subject. Epics, epopees, tales  of popular heroes had been passing down the generations in an astonishing manner. 

            James Bell was intelligent as much as he was curious. He noted everything he saw and heard, and wrote them down neatly. In a matter of few month he gained a smattering of the Adiğe Language.  He could speak and understand just enough to express himself. 

            But whenever he tried to speak in Adiğe, people could not help laughing. He realized his shortcoming, but didn't give up. He  laughed with everyone else and continued with greater effort.

            He never in his life had had he experienced so eventful and busy time. So the summer season ended, the humid and chilly days of winter commenced. He didn't rest. Interesting people and events carried him from one region to another.

            In the process he witnessed an incredibly interesting life style. The Adiğes were performed their daily routines and at the same time were engaged in a war. They raised livestock, cultivated the land, attended funeral and wedding ceremonies while at the same time  they fought the foreign intruders.

            Fierce attacks and counter attacks never seemed to cease on Kuban banks. The Russian navy was constantly engaged in surveillance of the coast, fired its guns on every moving object in sight. Being so close to death didn't scare the Caucasian. War had become an accepted fact of life.

            Generations were born and perished in the war time.