James Bell's attention to Caucasia was drawn by Urquhart. At the time he was mainly interested in commerce and in the profit he would make as a businessman.

            In preparation for his Caucasian venture, he approached  numerous persons for information. Naturally, he himself evoked  interest; for he was set on something unusual, travel to Caucasia, an unknown and  distant land. Some expressed their misgivings only behind him, so that he is not discouraged.

            The persons he consulted included the officials of the Foreign Office, journalists, intellectuals and merchants.

            For the diplomats, it was the political aspect that was of interest.  The journalists emphasized on collecting and dispatching news on the current affairs in Caucasia. The merchants were concerned with aspects of  profitability of the venture. The intellectuals highlighted the British moral respectability in the Caucasian affair, with emphasis on human dimensions.

            John Augustus Longworth was an intellectual turned businessman. He was introduced to Bell by David Urquhart, whose writings had evoked the interest of  both of them on Caucasian affairs. 

            Longworth had come to Istanbul on a Foreign Office assignment. Bell met him in Istanbul on his way to Caucasia. They spent a few days together and agreed to mutually cooperate in each other’s business.

            Longworth had no specific  diplomatic responsibility;  nor was not on the staff of the Embassy. He was involved in small scale business, and served the Ambassador as an informant.

            He lived in Beyoğlu, a neighborhood where the embassies and consulates were mainly located. He learned Turkish language fast; and established connections with the Caucasians living in Istanbul.

            The Russian the embassy in Istanbul had a large number of personnel, and operated numerous agents. Longworth had been an object of their attention. They had been watching him closely.

            Longworth, a British agent himself, was aware of the situation. To avoid a mishap, he changed his residence to one in a downtown section densely populated by Caucasians.

            His association with his Caucasian neighbors fostered sympathy in him for Caucasia. As he acquired more friends among the Caucasians, so his interest and appreciation for them enhanced.

            Longworth never missed his weekly visits to the British Embassy. He discussed with the Ambassador and other officials of the Embassy about the ongoing struggle for independence of Caucasia. He was strongly in favor of a British intervention in Caucasia. Certainly, he had been influenced by David Urquhart’s writings on the Caucasian issue.

            Notwithstanding the Russian blockade of  the Caucasian coats of Black Sea, navigation between Caucasia and Istanbul was sustained in the face of all the difficulties and risks involved. Longworth kept himself abreast with the events in Caucasia thanks to his Adiğe friends.

            He wished very much to go to Caucasia; but could not decide when. For he wanted to either leave for Caucasia after Bell’s return to Istanbul, and  being briefed by him; or while he was still there.  He worried lest he should miss the chance of meeting Bell. Captain Watsaz had spent few days in Istanbul on his way back to England, and had told Longworth that Bell planned to stay in Caucasia for a few months more. But now almost one year had passed since, and there was no news about him.

            That was why he could not make up his mind as to when to leave.

            A news from England that reached him in mid winter excited him greatly. It  helped him to make up his mind.

            According to the news, the Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston had severely assailed Russia in a speech at the House of Commons. He said that Britain would not hesitate to enter  into war, if necessary, with the those who would attempt to cast shadow over the dignity of Great Britain.

            These words were highly significant. The Honorable Secretary, who had been avoiding to speak against Russia until yesterday, must have had received an irrefutable information.

            Longworth deduced two conclusions from Lord Palmerston’s statement.

            Firstly;  the British government would demand the return of Bell's confiscated goods. Because the affair had become a question of national pride.

            Secondly; the Caucasians would be supported in their struggle against Russia.

            He didn't think that it would be a military support. It would be to comfort the Caucasians. Most likely it would be a demand to terminate the blockade.

            These  inferences were logical, because the blockade also undermined the British trade interests. According to the existing treaties, the Russian position was unacceptable.

            Longworth got busy to convey the happy news to Caucasia. He was going to please Bell and the Caucasians both.

            He couldn't send the word with someone else; the information could depreciate in value r be diatorted  while it passed from one person to the other. He didn't think a letter would be secure enough. Finally he decided to deliver the news himself.

            He had met numerous Caucasians in Istanbul. With their help he searched for companians for the trip. Soon he met with Haci Besni and Imamoğlu Haci, who were waiting for a ship to take them back home. The rest came easy. He rented the boat of a Turkish captain named Rus Ahmet. He purchased goods like salt, gun powder, and bullets. He filled a small trunk with gifts.

            When they were finished with the preparations, the boat sailed off in the first week of April. However, luck was not on their side. They run into a big storm. Their small boat was wsayed in all directions. They were forced to take took shelter in Sinop for some time.

            They landed  in Sinop, where they met with Nogay Ismail, an employee of Zanıko Sefer. In fact, it was him that found them. Nogay Ismail was carrying Sefer Bey's letters to Caucasia.

            Because of the storm he also had to stop in Sinop. Upon his request, they took him on their boat.

            They didn't disembark at Trabzon for security reason. Captain Ahmet was aware of the climate in the Black Sea area. The Russian Consul General there was pressing the Governor to cease all contacts with Caucasia. He was causing problems, constantly arguing that the treaties were being violated.

            The captain didn't dock, but sent two of his men to the shore to collect information, water and other amenities. Then, without wasting time they continued with their voyage.

            The wind was not strong enough to push the small boat ahead with sufficient speed. All night they were rocked on the sea. The crew and a part of the passengers had to row.

            The next day there was a breeze. But this time an annoying but not a surprising incident came about. A Russian warship was following them. Again with the rowing of all the crew and the passengers, they got away from a potential trouble. Turning their direction to the east, they reached to the Abhazian coasts.

                                                           O0O
 

            Longworth had acquired a Greek servant named Dimitri, in Istanbul. He was accompanying him in his voyage to Caucasia. He was a resourceful person.

            Imamoğlu Haci, from the beginning of the trip, posed as the only guide of Longworth. Dimitri challenged him on that score.  The jealousy between the two men got out proportion so much so that the Englishman thought they would attempt to kill each other.

            Longworth's concern was dissipated soon, when he realized that it was a simple case of affectation. Both during the storm and during the pursuit of the Russian warship, they presented a superb fraternity. They treated each other very kindly.

            Haci was a shrewd man. To Longworth, no matter what the Greek servant's opinion was, he was a good guide. He had proper manners, and  knew many people all along the Caucasian coast.

            When they landed, he presented Longworth as the "Representative of the British King." He received the attention of the people as such. In a short time he found  trustworthy landlords who would provide them with shelter. He placed armed guards on the boat.

            Such a shrewd man was sure to talk and irritate a servant like Dimitri.

            Longworth, like Bell, had expected to find gloomy faces  saddened by  the war. To his astonishment, he found  pleasant and joyous people rather than weary and desperate ones.

            He went on with his trip towards the north, guided by Haci. He visited the Indars at Pşat. Indaryiko Mehmet was ill at the time. Yet the  old man received his guests supporting on his son's arm. He stayed with them for a while.

            Zaniko Sefer's man Nogay Ismail was still in their company. He had talked little on board of the vessel or in Abhazya. His tongue suddenly came to motion. He started talking about the possibility of Bell and Longworth being Russian agents.

            It was not possible for Longworth to understand the words uttered by Nogay Ismail. He only noticed the change in Haci face. The knotted eye-brows of Haci told him that something was wrong.

            Haci couldn't hold off long. With a sense of responsibility, he told about Nogay Ismail's allegation.

            Longworth was disappointed soon after his arrival in Caucasia. He was being accused by a trustworthy man of a famous leader like Sefer Bey. There could not have been a worse surprise than this one.

            He was terribly demoralized. For a moment he thought about going back. But that would confirm the suspicions, and would place his friend Bell in a difficult position as well.

            The whole thing stemmed from a simple case of jealousy.

            Nogay Ismail was carrying letters of Sefer Bey to the leaders. Given his a mission, he expected to be treated as the guest of honor. The Englishman was casting shadow on his pomp; so was Ismail’s contention.

            This minor problem could not be immediately perceived by either Longworth or Imamoğlu Haci. It would take sometime before they grasped the malignace of the ignorant pedant.

            Longworth continued on his journey without knowing Nogay Ismail's frame of mind that shaped his behavior. His plans were defeated; for when they arrived in Tsemez, the same man, became quiet abruptly. He stopped grumbling.

            Geriyiko Şemız, just like he did with Bell, received Longworth in his home. He didn't fool around. According to him, if some one had an accusation, one had to prove it. If one was lying, he would never forgive.

            Nogay Ismail knew this famous leader very well. So he chose to shut up.

            Bell was not in Tsemez. He was in the north with Havuduko Mansur. He had gone up there to participate in the preparations for the spring meeting at Adegum.

            Actually, for the time being there was nothing he could do. Preparation for the Meeting had been only a pretext. He admired Havuduko Mansur and enjoyed the company of Haci Mehmet and Haci Ismail. He wanted to be close to them.

            Geriyiko Şemız invited all his friends to a dinner party in honor of Longworth. The dinner was an excellent occasion for all parties to meet.

            Batmazyiko Ali, Bastiko Pşımef and Geriyiko Ali considered arrival of a second British man after Bell as a sign of very significant developments to follow. They were examining him attentively and waiting for him to offer a clear explanation as to the purpose of his visit.

            Şemız was less patient than the others. He posed questions to Imamoğlu Haci and the interpreter Dimitri to be translated to Longworth. What he really wanted to know was the real identity of the guest. He thought that he was an envoy of the British Monarch or more correctly, he hoped it was the case.

            Longworth smiled slightly when he learned Şemız's expectation of himself. He explained that he was not representing the King, he was simply traveling as a man who had sympathy for the Caucasians. At the some time, he said, he had good news for his Caucasian friends, and mentioned the speech of British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston at the House of Commons. He explained that this speech was important in terms of world politics.

            It was difficult to explain the British House of Commons, the House of Lords and the powers of the Royal family to Geriyiko Şemız, Bastiko Pşımef and the others. Especially difficult to explain was the power of the Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, and the latter’s pro-Russian policy. The cultural and social structure of the two societies were immensely different.

            Geriyiko Şemız and his cousin Ali were sitting near the door. He desperately gazed at Pşımef.

            - Bastiko!  For Gods sake, tell me: Is he saying the truth? He says "I'm not here on the behalf of the King." Then, how can he know all that. He comes to our shores not like a merchant, but like someone with a mission. What do you make out of that?

            There was no reason why Pşımef should comprehend the situation better than Şemız. The governmental structure of Britain, the intricacies of politics was as complicated for him as it was for Geriyiko.

            Yet, he offered an opinion. With a slight smile, he looked for a moment at Longworth.

            - As far as I can understand, our guest is not the King's envoy. He is an educated person. We can say, he has an acute ears. He is a vigilant observer. That's why he seems to be so well informed!

            Şemız was not satisfied. His eyes down, he murmured through his teeth.

            - They are lying! This and the other one, both are surely sent by the King. I don't know why, but they are afraid to tell the truth!

            Pşımef looked at Geriyiko warily. He said "don't talk like that! You will embarrass us!" He asked Imamoğlu Haci not to translate the last part of the conversation.

            The old Geriyiko, with his so many years of experience knew how to change the atmosphere. He jumped on his feet. He had a wooden cup in his hand filled it up with maksime ; he shouted while lifting it.

            - I drink in honor of the British King and our noble guest!
 

            Longworth looked at his host bemused. When Şemız’s last words were translated to him, he smiled with satisfaction. He got up immediately.

            Everyone in the large hall of the guest house followed the suit. All were on their feet and emptied their cups in one gulp.

            Nogay Ismail said that he had brought news from Sefer Bey to his wife and children, and asked for permission to leave. He got on the road to the north without spending too much time in Tsemez.

            Longwort, for a moment, contemplated about bringing up what Nogay Ismail had said about himself and James Bell. But he didn't want to spoil the warm ambiance. He decided to deal with him at a later time.

            Adiğes had given up alcoholic drinks since the advent of Islam.

            At one time, the people of the shores had acquired some habits from the foreign merchants coming to Caucasia. Wine, raki and other such bdrinks were consumed widely. The influence of Islam later had  led to  abandonment of such habits. In fact excessive consumption alcohol, and drunkenness became unacceptable.

            Şemız offered his apologies to his guest for not being able to serve such drinks. All night, intermittently maksime and tea were served.

            The Russian Ambassador in Istanbul was following all activities related to Caucasia. Through his agents he had learned that two Englishmen had left for Caucasia and the British Embassy was informed of their trip. Naturally, he had passed this information to his government.

            The Czar and  the Russian statesmen were disturbed by the news. After the Turks, the British were now tended involve in the affairs of Caucasia. Without much fuss, this had to be dealt with, they concluded.

            Marshal Rozen, the Commander- in-Chief of Russian Army in Caucasia was warned directly in an Edict signed by the Czar. The Edict ordered close surveillance of the two British’s and alert at the shores and Kuban front.

            The Czar's edict activated all the commanders at the borders. All brigades were put on guard.

            The Gelincik Bay was on the way to become an important Russian base. Ammunition depots, and barracks to accommodate thousands of soldiers were built. With the construction of  housing facilities for the officers and the civilian personnel, a new town was in the making. At the center of the settlement there towered a church bell.

            Something new was built each year. The garrison was fortified. That year, early in May, more than twenty war ships and cargo vessels had arrived in the bay. Large quantities of arms and ammunition and more than ten thousand soldiers had been disembarked.

            The Russians were cognizant of the importance of Tsemez. All of their preparations were aimed at its capture. They had attempted to land troops several times, but failed. Now, they wanted to try a different tactic.

            The fact that the vicinity of Tsemez was covered with forests, lack of approach roads hampered the progress of a land operation. So the Adiğes had repelled the Russian attack each time.

            The operations from the sea alone were not sufficient. Roads were needed for a land support. Their initial efforts hadn’t given satisfactory results. The subsequent ones too were foiled by the Adiğes. 

            The zone between Anapa and Tsemez had been tried. Now, they would advance towards the north from Gelincik. They had deployed excessive number of troops at Gelincik with the intent of employing them in road building.

            Similar activities had been going on at the Abin valley. Abin and Anapa were to be connected with a newly build road. Bloody skirmishes between the Russians and the local population continually occurred. The forests, hitherto used as hideout by the Adiğe fighters, were being cut or burnt down.

            But, the current activities went far beyond road building. The Russian forces were mobilized both at the Bay of Gelincik and along the banks of the river  Kuban.

            There were two reasons behind all these military dispositions. Firstly;  they were alarmed by the presence of the two Britishers. They were haunted by the possibility of commencement of a wide spread Adiğe resistance masterminded by the Britons.

            Secondly; The Russians had been informed by their agents about the forthcoming Spring Meeting . They suspected strongly that, besides the provincial representatives, the Britishers would also be attending the meeting. They planned to prevent the potentially dangerous gathering.

            Longworth was anxious to meet James Bell. But he had to wait for a while so that he could accompany Şemız and the other leaders, who would be attending the meeting.

            He visited Tsemez and neighborhood with Pşımef. He met, in addition to the well known leader, with numerous nameless heroes. He had interesting discussions with them.

            These seemingly ordinary persons had participated in the war for independence of Caucaia, had been  wounded and disabled at the battles.  They told him incredible stories. These old fighters offered him their strategic and tactical analysis of the situation like graduates of modern war academies. They had followed the changes in the Russian army and the evolution of their weaponry. They had devised means of protecting themselves from the recently introduced mass destruction  weapon they called the “grape-shot” , an early form of shrapnel.

            The narration of the Caucasian veterans helped him understand as to how the Caucasians had managed to stand against the unlimited resources of the Russian army. These unsophisticated people not only possessed blind courage, but also intelligence that translated what they observed into practical application.

            While Longworth has been listening  to the narration of the old men, the veteran soldiers' of war of liberation, there occurred incidents that horrified him. For a moment he thought that the end had come.

            General Vilyaminof appeared to have lost his balance of mind since his last defeat in the hands of Haci Huzbek. That so called “man of peace” of earlier times had been replaced by an angel of death.

            The General planned to attack and abort the Adegum Meeting. To this end he crossed the Kuban river with a ten thousand strong army. He was to be joined by the forces stationed at Gelincik, to destroy entire coast. He set out with such a design.

            The operation was designed to divide Adiğe forces to boost up  their own chances of success. Everything was calculated in detail during the last month, and the Russian forces went into action  according to the plan.

            Longworth was wary at the news. He supposed that the daily life would come to a standstill, or at least the meeting would be postponed,  though he had been looking forward to meet with all the leaders at Adegum.

            He had been also worried about James Bell, for presently he was in the area where soon the fightings would be taking place.

            But the events didn't turn up as disastrous as he had anticipated. The usual quiescence around him persisted. He noticed that his host Geriyiko Şemız and some of the leaders have quietly  disappeared.

            Bastiko Pşımef didn't go anywhere. He came to see him every day. He did tell him  that certain minor clashed had been taking place in the areas close to the coast. It was evident that the Prince of Tsemez had been trying to keep him calm, though himself evidently was anxious.

            Longworth was becoming impatient as the date of the meeting approached. Geriyiko Şemız was still away. Bastiko Pşımef’ vague as far as he could understood. Not knowing what has been going on,  he worried immensely.

            At last he was briefed about the actual situation by Pşımef; then only he was relieved.

            Geriyiko Şemız and his friends had blocked the path of the Russian troops moving from Gelincik to the north. They had ambushed the enemy at a difficult pass,  and had forced them turn back. Had the enemy move not been timely preempted, Tsemez could have been over-run, with possibly desastrous consequences.

            Similarly, a bloody confrontation had taken place in the north. The Adiğe forces under the command of Surukyiko Duğuj and Kalabatuko Hatuk confronted the army of General Vilyaminof. They had broken up the arrogant general's army through hit and run attacks.

            Both sides had suffered heavy losses. The clashes lasted for three days. At the end, Vilyaminof was forced to take shelter beyond the ramparts of Fort Anapa.

            Geriyiko Şemız had to stay for some time somewhere between Tsemez and Gelincik to ensure that the enemy did not resume the onslaught. He sent a message to Tsemez to the effect that they may not wait for him, and may forthwith proceed to Adegum.

            Longworth and Pşımef got on the road accompanied by a small group.

            To Longworth it was simply incredible: a handful of Adiğe worriers had fought against an army ten to twenty thousand strong equipped with modern artillery. After all that much of fighting they ought to takesome rest, and should forget about the meeting. Longworth reasoned.  But nothing doing!  They proceeded to Adegum, as if they were attending a wedding ceremony. He couldn't help saying by himself: "I wonder, are they showing off?"

            The trails in the forest areas were still packed with groups of fighters crossing those going to the Adegum meeting. They exchanged greeting and good wishes, and passed by.

            Among the groups in the move there were the wounded. Some were carrying the bodies of their friends the fell in the battle. Their tense faces reflected anger rather than sorrow. 

            Bastiko Pşımef stopped by each group they run into. For a couple of minutes he would express his sympathies and would comfort the chagrined people.

            Longworth listened to Pşımef’s  the conversations from a distance. He didn't ask Pşımef any questions. He hadn’t to. For everything was clear enough, there was no reason for further explanation.

            He was firmly convinced of one thing. The Adiğes lacked organization; nevertheless they had certain characteristics that compensated the lack of organization.

                                                         O0O

            On both sides of the Adegum stream, there extended a long strip of wide fertile land, party forest. The villages were situated on the deforested sectors as well as deep inside the valley, further away from the stream.

            The meadow, where the meeting was to be held, was surrounded on all four sides with aged oak trees climbing up like a natural curtain. The huge trees were the symbols of ancient traditions and concepts. Although with the advent of Islam these had lost most of their significance as sacred beings;  nevertheless  they still represented the memories of the past.

            When Bastiko Pşımef and Longworth left Tsemez, there were in all ten persons in their company.

            As they approached  Adegum, there were as many as three hundred riders with them.

            When Pşımef pointed at the oaks wood, the meeting site, Longworth  was excited. He notice the  drastic security measures taken there.  At the woods to the west several hundred young fighters were on guard against any possible attack.

            There was a Natuhay village close to the oaks. James Bell and some other notable leaders were hosted there.

            At the outskirts of the village Bastiko Pşımef dismounted his horse, so Longworth followed him.  Longworth was familiar by now with such traditional mannerism.

            Two young men came by them running. They took over the horses of the elders.

            The leaders at village were informed of their arrival. A large group came out of the house to meet them. Havuduko Mansur was at the fore, slightly limping. Years ago he had been rescued from being drowned in the icy waters of Kuban. He survived by sheer luck, but one of his legs was maimed.

            Pşımef whispered to Longworth: "The limping man at the front is Havuduko Mansur."

            Pşımef  spoke in Adige language. Though his words were not translated, the Longworth understood what he meant. Because, he had heard a lot about Mansur and all of that had been engraved in his memory.

            Longworth had had been told that Havuduko Mansur had been acting in place of Sefer Bey, and that he was the architect of the meeting to be held shortly. So elated to be received by the distinguished leader.

            Havuduko Mansur approached him with a sad face. He said "Welcome!" and held Longworth's hand. They turned  back and walked together hand in hand in to the house.

            Mansur had ordered  necessary angements be made  for the two British men to be left alone. He had charged Bell’s Georgian interpreter and one of his own men to took after their comfort.

            Longworth, with curious eyes, followed the Georgian interpreter, who ushered him to the guest house where Bell had been staying.

            Bell and Longworth both, under the spell of their reunion in a dreamland under a circumstance they had never expected, experienced an  interesting excitement,  Then, they became conscious of the responsibility of the hope vested in them. They agreed together an a common line of approach in the course of their association with the Adiğe leaders. 

            It was past noon time.  The representatives arriving from different regions had filled the meadow in the middle of the oak woods. Everyone was keen to see the meeting started sooner.

            Bell and Longworth flanked Havuduko Mansur as they entered the meeting area. Bastiko Pşımef, Kabatuko Hatuk, Surukyiko Duguj and many other renowned leaders were walking right behind them.

            The crowd opened up to make room for the elders. The provincial representatives grouped together at a certain reserved section. The comfort of the leaders from long distant places, such as Abzeh, Ubih, Abazin and Kemguy, had been taken care of. For the aged ones, wooden banks had been placed.

            Everyone stood up as the guests arrived in the meeting place. All  eyes were turned on them in a serene atmosphere.

            Leading personalities in the leadership, such as Kadi Haci Mehmet, Kadi Haci Ismail, Indaryiko Mehmet and Haci Huzbek, were seated under the oak with the widest crown. Havuduko Mansur introduced Longworth to them.

            Longworth had met Indaryiko Mehmet at Pşat. He remembered him instantly. He wondered how this old man in his nineties had traveled through all that long a distance way.

            Longworth gazed at the groups of representatives. He was impressed by their calm and proud posture. These men had won a battle against a ten thousand strong Russian Army only about a week ago. They were not boastful about their triumph, but did not crying over their losses either. This dignified behavior was a product of their stout traditional background.

            The young British said to himself: “That must be the source of their strength!"

            Havuduko Mansur asked for Kadi Haci Mehmet Efendi's permission to open the meeting. Then, he came a few steps forward. The assemblage silenced as he moved, and all the eyes focused on him.

            Mansur, has been using a walking stick since his left leg was disabled.

            He raised on his right leg slightly. He commenced addressing the assemblage loudly saying: "Welcome!"

            In the first part of his speech, he talked about the importance of the Caucasian-British relations that had started with David Urquhart’s visits. He explained how much they valued it. On behalf  of his community he thanked Bell and Longworth for their contribution in sustaining the continuity of the said relations.

            He expressed their expectations from the “British Kingdom”, and voiced their disappointment.

            - Davut Bey  had arrived here at a time when we were under siege both on the sea and on the land. He lent us hope and courage. Three or four years have gone by since, we haven't yet sighted any light illuminating the horizons of our land.

            He paused for a moment. He gazed  at British gentlemen.

            - You, in spite of all the difficulties, have taken the trouble to visit our land. You've proved us that we have not been forgotten. You inspired hope and courage to our people once again. 

            After a short silence he continued.

            - As you know, this is a war fought under unequal circumstances. We stand against one of the most powerful and ruthless states in the world. She is attacking us with a one million strong army. Yes, I am not exaggerating the strength of the enemy. I'm telling you the fact. There are more than a million men under arm waiting along the banks of Kuban and Terek. Only Almighty God knows how long we can stand against this power.

            He momentarily paused again.

            - Only a couple of days ago we were engaged in a bloody fighting with the Russians. We stopped them at the cost of hundreds of dead and wounded. We showed to the entire world our determination to stay independent.

            He looked down for a moment, his sorrow could be read from his expression.

            - You see here men who have dedicated their lives to  defend their dignity, their homeland. You can’t measure the pain suffered at their homes. Hundreds of young women have been deprived of their husbands, and God knows how many