Bastiko Pşımef had perceived  the  intense Russian troop dispositions in the south.  He frequently toured the Pşat, Şepsin and Cuga valleys to watch the developments. 
            The Prince of Tsemez had made his own assessment of what the Russians had been up to.  He was justified in most of his assessments.  A closer view of the situation did indeed lay bare some of his premonitions. 

            Firstly; the Russians sought to undermine the southward shift of commercial activities. For the Russian blockade had strained commerce in the Tsemez-Anapa neighborhood.  It had rendered Navigation to and fro the Anatolian coast of the Black Sea hazardous.  The Caucasian coast further south was still safer.  Traders on board of vessels sailing from Trabzon could reach the shores of Abhazya, and could trade their merchandise and return without much impediment.

            Secondly; The Russians sought to crush the resistance at the coast.  In the last encounter the enemy had over run Fort Sohum and Fort Poti.  It designed to impose a firm control over the entire coastal strip by completing the chain work of fortresses from Anapa to Poti. The attempts to build fortresses at Pşat, Şepsin and Vaye had been a part of the design. 

            The Indaryikos in Pşat, the Zaziyikos in Şepsin and Cuga, and the Abhaz leaders in Vaye had been doing whatever they could to disrupt the enemy activities.  They raided the construction sites day and night, as frequently as may be tactically permissible. 

            Pşımef estimated that one day the enemy would venture to add Tsemez in its chain-work of the fortresses, may be soon after they completed their work in the south.  Pşımef considered it imperative to hamper, and thereby to delay, the construction work already underway.  That explained Pşımef’s frequent trips to Şepsin.

            In the meantime Pşımef did not neglect the British visitors, notwithstanding the fact that he tended to suspect their integrity.  He visited them as often as he could, without letting them read his mind. 

            A third British national turned up in the coast late in the summer.  The unexpected visitor enhanced Pşımef’s suspicion, confused him, and hampered his Judgement.

            Here is the story relevant to the appearance of the third Englishman: 

            Zaziyiko Mehmet of Cuga set out for Istanbul in the middle of the summer season. On his way  he drooped in Tsemez, called on the Englishmen, and asked them if there was anything that he could for them in Istanbul.   The Englishmen gave him  letters to be delivered to the British Embassy there. 

            Zaziyiko  owned a locally made  sail boat.  It was too small.  It was unlikely that it would  be able to escape a chase by a Russian warship.  So he chose to travel on board of a Turkish vessel loaded with his merchandise.

            He safely disembarked at the Istanbul harbor, traded his goods, and visited the British Embassy. 

            He was warmly received by the Embassy personal, who gave him letters to be delivered to Bell and Longworth. 

            Satisfied as he had been for having gone through his business in Istanbul smoothly, he came to the harbor to take a ship sailing out into the Black Sea.  To his dismay, none was available.  He was not in a position to charter one either; for he had neither that much cargo, nor enough fund to finance a venture of that sort.. 

            Zaziyiko deposited his goods at the storage of a friend,  placed two of his servants on watch,  and himself was set to wait at ease until a vessel sailing into the Black Sea was available. For days he wandered at the harbor  and the market places of Istanbul.

            The Caucasians residing in Istanbul generally frequented the coffee houses in at the Sirkeci district.  Zaziyiko too often visited those places.  One day at one of the coffee houses he saw  an Englishman,  struggling to converse  with a Caucasian group. He spoke in English, while others in Adiğe or in a broken Turkish. 

            There was another stranger with the Englishman, whose nationality Zaziyiko could not make out then.  He was there to serve the Englishman as a city guide.  He was conversant in Adiğe; and had a smattering of a hodgepodge of some of the West European languages, which he used in interpreting between the Caucasians and his employer. 

            Zaziyiko remained with the  group for a while, listening to what they were talking about. He inferred that the Englishman wanted to travel to Caucasia, and had been on the look out for someone who could be of help to him. 

            He lost no time to let the Englishman know that he was the Prince of Cuga, that he was about to depart Istanbul for home, and that he could accompany him if he wished so. 

            Zaziyiko was known to a few in the group.  They let the Englishman know that he was a reliable person.  So the two readily agreed to travel together. 

            Zaziyiko in the meantime had found a number of his compatriots at the Istanbul harbor and market places, who intended to return to Caucasia. Together with the Englishman he chartered a vessel to the Caucasian coast, and in consultation with him, boarded the Caucasians seeking to return home. 

            It was good to have more people on board in the event of a threat.  The benevolence of the Price of Cuga was not without a reason.

            Preparations for the long voyage were completed in a matters of a few days, and the group, formed as a mere coincidence,  set sail into the Black Sea. 
The Englishman’s name was Hudson.  The Adiğes on board couldn’t  reconcile with it.  So they named him “Nadir Bey”. 

            In Caucasia the peoples called David Urquhart as “Davut Bey” ,  and James Bell as “Yakub Bey”. No one, however, had devised a substitute to Longworth’s name as yet. 

            The boat, piloted by Zaziyiko Mehmet, navigated to the east along the Anatolian coast line up to Trabzon, from where it steered northward.  As the Caucasian shores were sighted, the Russian patrol boats spotted the vessel.  Then there ensued hot pursuit.  The sail and the wind did not lend the vessel enough speed to escape being captured.  The extra passengers, whom the Prince of Cuga had allowed to board the vessel, saved the day.  All rowed the boat to safety. 

            They took refuge at the coast of Abhazya, and finally reached Vaye, negotiating the shores of the eastern Caucasian coastline, halting at a number of places. 

            Nadir Bey’s Captain had been highly scared at the sight of the Russian warships.  A few gun shots had dropped quite close to his boat.  It had been a miraculous escape indeed.  So he refused to go any further. 

            Zaziyiko Mehmet was aware that the Russian fleet guarded the shore further north between  Cuga and Gelincik more carefully.  Notwithstanding the extra labor involved in transporting his goods overland, advised Nadir Bey to disembark at Vaye. 

            The boat was moved as close to the shore as possible; and was let to ground on the sandy beach. 

            A crowd of spectators had formed on the beach in the meantime.  They brought timber logs, over which the vessel was glided and pulled out of water. 

            Nadir Bey had taken ill on the eve of his departure for Caucasia.  He alternately had attacks of  cold, high fever, and perspiration.  But yet he could not afford missing a good travel companion as Prince Zaziyiko.  So he had included a bag full of quinine and similar of the medicines to his baggage, before leaving Istanbul.

            Hudson, alias Nadir Bey, was essentially a brave person.  Nevertheless the sight of the Russian warships had spoiled his nerves.  That had adversely affected his health condition.  Zaziyiko’s servants had him wrapped up in a yamça cloak and carried him on to the shore over an improvised stretcher.

            Nadir Bey had been lucky to have found a guide and a protector, at the same time, in the person of Zaziyiko.  Had he attempted a disembarkation by himself at Vaye, he could have lost his belongings in the very first night at the coast. 

            Here, at  Vaye, there lived the Abazas, Natuhays, Abzehs, and Ubihs, each in smaller colony. Rivalry and minor clashes among them never ceased.  Vaye was a most famous slave market in Caucasia.  Piracy on sea and robbery on the land had been a common feature of the area. 

            Zaziyiko, being already aware of  the situation immediately took necessary precautions against the hazards, both for the safety of his own merchandise  as well as for Nadir Beys belongings. 

            Meanwhile he did not neglect publicity.  He presented Nadir Bey as a brother of the King of England. It worked very well.

            The news to the effect that Zaziyiko had returned from Istanbul accompanied by an Englishman, soon was heard all over the coast.  In no time it reached Tsemez.  Bell and Longworth first looked at each other in astonishment.  They were highly excited when told that the man was a very important person. 

            The two Englishmen declared that he could by no means be a brother of the King.  It was simply impossible, they stressed.  They admitted, however,  that he could be an official visitor. 

            Bastiko Pşımef , Geriyiko Ali, the Batmazıyikos and many others were very curious about the affair.  The guest houses of Şemız once again had been crowded by inquisitive visitors. 

            James Bell was a cool minded and experienced person.  “I think he will come and find us.  Then we shall find out who he is!” he said, and counseled to patiently wait. 

            Longworth, however, could hardly wait for the morning.  Along with  Geriyiko Ali and Bastiko Pşımef, he rushed to Vaye.  A few other enthusiasts also accompanied them. 

            The group galloped fast. 

            The Russians, in the meantime, had made a return  to Şepsin with a ship load of personnel and material, had cleared the debris of the construction site destroyed earlier by Pşımef, and had resumed the construction work. 

            This time they seemed highly determined.  Artillery batteries were positioned all around the place.  The positions were fortified by ditches and shields. 

            Longworth and his company took the pain of traveling through the mountain trails and the forests to avoid a clash with the Russians.  They came across with Zaziyiko Mehmet at the Cuga highlands. 

            Zaziyiko, informed of an impending Russian attack at Cuga, had rushed home, leaving Nadir Bey at Vaye.  He had mobilized all the fighters available in the area.  He was busy in preparations to brace a Russian attack. 

            Pşımef and Geriyiko Ali pulled Zaziyiko Mehmet out of the crowd into  privacy.  “Is it correct that you have returned from Istanbul together with a brother of the king of England?”, they asked him. 

             Zaziyiko possessed a very sharp intelligence. He needed collaboration of powerful persons for the safe keeping of his merchandise.  He glanced at his friends  from Tsemez and then at Longworth.  He had to look convincing.  For credibility sake he changed his lie a little.

            -  Honestly speaking, I don’t know whether he is a brother of the King or not.  He is indeed a very important person!  He says he carries the Kings massages to the Adiğe leaders. 

            The party spent the night at Cuga as the guests of Zaziyiko Mehmet.

            He got up early in the morning to receive a happy news.  They were informed that the guards at the “construction site in Şepsin” , the troops and  the workers inclusive, had been withdrawn by sea. 

            Zaziyiko seemed doubtful about it.  He insisted, 

            -  The enemy must have tactically evacuated the camp, as it had done earlier, just to deceive us. Believe me, they would come again.

            Zaziyiko had been vacillating between rage and excitement. 

            He asked his guests to excuse him for he was not going to accompany them to Vaye.  He had opted to stay at Cuga for a few days more to see if the Russians returned.  He requested them to wait for him at Vaye. 

            Zaziyiko was right. The Russians had affected a withdrawal, and made a surprise return a couple of days later.  They could afford to resort to any sort of deceptive maneuvers with the help of the extensive resources at their disposal. 

            Besides, the forces withdrawn were that of the marine infantry and artillery. 

            This time the enemy had raised an improvised timber fortress , and had placed a garrison in it composed of artillery and infantry units.  The artillery batteries were kept loaded, ready for instant firing.

            What Zaziyiko had been afraid of was not the force inside the fortress.  The poor inmates of the fort were condemned to remain confined for at least eight months to come.  They were helpless without being supported by the sea borne forces. He was afraid of a mischief on the part of the navy. 

            Longworth, Bastiko Pşımef, Geriyiko Ali and the rest of the party left for Vaye, leaving Zaziyiko at Cuga. 

            It was a very difficult journey all the way down to Tuaps.  The trail they followed passed through dense forests and a rough terrain.  It then opened up to the coastal strip.  After a tiresome journey the party at last arrived at Vaye.

            The Prince of Tsemez and Geriyiko Ali were well known to most of the people at the coastal strip.  The presence  of an Englishman in their company lent added sensation. 

            The visitors were led to the house where the mysterious Englishman had been staying.  The poor “brother of the King of England” was laying on a felt sheet, shivering. 

            Longworth at the first glance recognized him.   He was one of the daring British merchants, who would  be trying their luck throughout the globe under most adverse situations.  Yes, whatever that had been told about him were correct.  He deserved to be a brother of the King.

                                                               O0O

            Longworth talked with his compatriot for almost an hour.  He came to know that  Hudson was a person of a most typical characteristics.

            Yes! Nadir Bey, that is Mr. Hudson, was a merchant.  He was, however, unlike the other members of the profession.  He had come to Caucasia not in search of material profit, but in pursuit of an ideal.  He had been influenced by the Caucasians whom he had  come in contact with.  He had virtually forgotten about the business, and had decided to share the ideals of his Caucasians friends. 

            To him it had been not an easy job to find his way from Istanbul to Vaye:  For days he had to struggle with the waves of the Black Sea;  and past Trabzon, he had to brace with the bombardment of the Russian Warships. Moreover he had been seized by malaria all the way through.  It was really an incredible adventure.

            The ordinary Caucasians on board of the vessel not giving a dime to the Russian warships,  the worriers receiving the vessel on the shore,  and the riders galloping like wind,  thrilled him as being the early manifestations of the land of dreams which he cherished to visit. 

            He had been asking Zaziyiko Mehmet questions about Caucasia all along the way relevant to the traditions, the fightings and what not.  He had been dreaming about Caucasia whenever he retired to his cabin.  He had dreamed of his being engaged in the fighting on the side of the Circassinas.

            Zaziyiko had narrated him so much interesting things that he was impatient to step on the Caucasian soil.  To his misfortune, by the time he landed, malaria had already rendered him bedridden and dispirited.

            He had never met Longworth before.  But yet the two talked together as if they had been old friends.  Nadir Bey was highly candid in expressing his mind to Longworth.  He told him that he had come to Caucasia purely with the intent of fighting the Russians on the side of the Circassians. 

            The sickness had robbed of his energy.  Despite that,  he dressed up,  and forced himself to sit erect in an effort to pose as a healthy person. 

            He seemed most interested in narrations about the battles.  The first question he posed to Longworth was whether Bell and Longworth had taken part in the fightings. 

            -  Did you ever fight?, he asked again and again.

            The rumors to the effect that an English Prince had came to the coast with untold quantity of war material, soon was heard all over the land, including the hinterland of Abhazya and to the pastures of Ubih and Abzeh.  People from all around began pouring in to Vaye.  Everyone was curious about the fact of the matter. 

            In Vaye there was a oak wood, traditionally regarded as sacred, as the one in Adegum. A big meeting was held there  a few days later.  In addition to the leaders from the neighborhood, there was a large crowd of common men at the meeting place. 

            The picture at Vaye was different the one at Adegum meeting, both in terms of the way the people dressed and the way they conducted business.  It indicated that the people at Vaye were distinctly less developed than those in the north.

            The gray and blue eyed Abazians had been adversely influences for centuries by the Black Sea pirates.  That had made them skeptical and reticent.  The constant alertness to brace dangerous situations, had made them rather harsh in temperament. 

            However the situation may appear, the mandate of the traditions was supreme.  Even the most carefree individual  had to yield before the rigid rules of the traditions.  For instance, as the guests and the Thametes entered the meeting ground, silence prevailed, and everyone assumed a courteous attitude. 

            Some one had to address the meeting to satisfy the general curiosity.  Nadir Bey was ill.  Longworth was too shy to address so big a meeting.  Bastiko Pşımef suggested it would be more appropriate if one of the local leaders spoke. 

            Bastiko Pşımef, Zaziyiko Mehmet and the popular local leaders Hacı Süleyman agreed among themselves on what to say to the public. Nadir Bey’s pedantic guide was also present there.  Accordingly Süleyman Efendi and the guide were to speak in sequence. 

            Nadir Bey wished to demonstrate that he had not come to Caucasia empty handed.  To that end he decided to give away a part of the bullets and the gunpowder to the local leaders.  His wish was to be announced at the end of the meeting. 

            The horseback was a common platform used by the Caucasian public speakers. 

            As it had been agreed, Hacı Süleyman spoke first.  He belonged to a well to do family.  He had received religious training.  His attributes provided him with a privileged position. 

            He spurred his horse to move to the center of the crowd.  For a couple of moments he glanced the assemblage, and then loudly said, “Welcome!”  His thick voice echoed back from beyond the oak wood. 

            As a faithful Muslim he talked about the virtues of good conduct and about the new religion.  He urged that everyone ought to get used to the sense of equality enunciated by Islam, irrespective of race and creed,. 

            Hacı Süleyman was worried lest someone should do some thing disgraceful to foreign visitor.  That was why he commenced his talk with emphasis on good conduct and the faith. 

            To be more specific, he then referred to Longworth and Nadir Bey, who stood a few paces behind him.  He said,

            -   Here are visitors to our country from a foreign land.  They are representatives of the King of England.  They have come here as our friends.  They mean to be helpful to us. I thank them on behalf of myself, and on behalf of my people. 

            He concluded his talk by highlighting the Caucasian traditions, which required good treatment towards visitors.  He urged every individual to behave friendly and respectfully towards the foreigners. 

            Nadir Bey’s guide then addressed the gathering. 

            He was a middle aged person.  He had a personality too difficult to be described.  He had a good command on Turkish and Adiğe languages. No one could be sure in how many other languages he was conversant. 

            He that claimed his family once lived in the Taman region.  Physically, however, he carried the characteristics of several ethnic groups.  He seemed to have the slanted eyes of the Tatars, the chestnut hair of the Circassians, and the fair complexion of the Russians. While with the Muslims, he could pass as  a Hacı, while with the Christians he could be taken for a priest. Sentimentally he was more of a Caucasian. 

            Most probably Nadir Bey had been influence by him rather than otherwise to visit Caucasia.  Though his friends in Istanbul also must have helped him in the matter. 

            Hacı the guide,  most ably conveyed what he had been asked to tell the gathering.  He praised his master, and did not neglect to emphasize that himself was a Caucasian by blood. He said,

            -  Nadir Bey is a noble and wealthy person.  He is like a Caucasian Vork or a Marşan¹ .   His love and concern for us has brought him here.  He represents the English spirit more than the King of England does.  He is going to live with us, and if need be he would fight on our side. 

            A roar of applause raised up from the gathering, like a thunder.  Actually most of the audience did not understand what the Hacı meant to say.  The gathering had unconsciously applauded copying a small group at the foreground.

            Longworth was bemused.  In his lame Adiğe he asked Pşımef as to what was going on.  “He says Nadir Bey is a British Vork”.  The two reciprocally laughed.

            As the applause subsided, the guide went on:

            -  Nadir Bey has brought us the most valuable of all gifts, bullets and gunpowder!  In a short while these would be handed over to the elders. 

            The “shots and gunpowder” were the principal war material.  Since the beginning of the Russian blockade these items had been in short supply.  The Haci’s last words were received with cheers. 

            The assemblage did not disperse immediately.  It broke up into numerous groups, and group discussions went on until sunset. 

            Transportation of the cargo unloaded from the ship was now the most urgent problem to be attended on Zaziyiko’s  agenda. Neither those of himself nor that of Nadir Bey were amenable for land transpiration.  For at least 200 ponies were required  if it were to be moved overland. 

            Zazıyiko Mehmet Bey, aware of the problem involved, had already considered necessary measures.  He had seen to it that his small sail boat be brought to Vaye.  Notwithstanding the risks involved he shipped the goods to Cuga on board the sail.  An armed team followed the sail along the shore, ready to intervene, should it be attacked from the sea side. 

            It was out of question for the sail to navigate up to Tsemez.  For the Russian warships had been patrolling off  the quays of Gelincik and Pşat, providing cover to the garrisons on the coast.

            The sail was unloaded at Cuga.  Nadir Bey’s goods were moved to the courtyard of the Zaziyikos for safe keeping. 

            Mehmet Bey had thus completed his journey safely and without a cost.  In expression of his own satisfaction he gave a big feast in honor of the visitors. Besides he undertook transportation of Nadir Bey’s cargo to Tsemez. 

            Longworth, conscious of how much James Bell could have been anxious to meet Hudson, wished to reach Tsemez soonest possible.  Therefore, they stayed only for one night at Cuga.

            Zaziyiko promised that he would be sending Nadir Bey’s cargo, salt and other items,  in installments.  The items of immediate need, such as the gifts, were loaded on ponies.  The party set out for Tsemez.

            On the coast one expected to encounter  with the Russians any time.  So they preferred the trails least in use.

            Nadir Bey considered such precautions unnecessary. “We are here to fight, not to cover up!” he complained.  Longworth sighed a sigh of relief upon arrival in Tsemez.  Highly jubilant as he was for the conclusion of the trip without a mishap, he embraced James Bell, and in a few minutes narrated all what had happened since his abrupt departure.

            Pşımef wished to host Nadir Bey at his own house.  Şemız, however, did not let  him do that.  He ushered Nadir Bey to his place contending that it would  be wiser if the three Englishmen stayed together. 

                                                            O0O

            Nadir Bey’s arrival in Tsemez coincided with an interesting development.  It was considered as a sign of good luck. 

            Czar Nicholas planned to visit Tiflis, then the Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Forces in Caucasia.  He had come to Crimea by land.  He was supposed to cover the remaining distance to Georgia by sea, along the Caucasian coastline. 

            Nicholas had been very sensitive concerning Caucacia.  He sought the resistance be crushed without any further delay.  He was not satisfied with the briefings at the table.  He wanted to inspect the forces personally on the spot. 

            The commanders of the navy had assured the Czar that the Caucasian coasts were under their firm control.  They were keen to show him the forts they had built along the shore. 

            The naval installations at Gelincik was an object of pride for the commanders.  A huge amount of money had been spent to realize the project.  It had nearly been completed.  Gelincik was planned to be the first stop over of the Czar. 

            Shortly after his departure from Crimea, there was a fierce sea storm.  The steamship carrying the Czar was rocked by high waves like a cradle for one whole night.  It would neither move ahead nor be steered back. The Czar had a dreadful time in the dark waters of the Black Sea. 

            On the same night there was a big fire at the Gelincik Naval Installations.  The entire place, except the stone structure that housed the church and the gunpowder store, were destroyed.  All  the buildings, including the arsenal, the supplies stores, the officers quarters, the troops barracks, the stables and other amenities were all burnt to ashes. 

            By the time the Steamship of Czar Nicholas entered the Bay of Genlincik, everything on the shore had been consumed by fire.  Years of labor, and the pride of the commanders were no more  there. 

            The Russian monarch could not stand the sight of the ruin and the shivering soldiers on the sea shore.  He reprimanded the commanders, who anticipated being awarded, ordered the installation be shifted to Taman, and sailed off to the Fort Redut.²

            The incident was received by the Caucasians as a God sent blessing, and by the Russians as a mischief of the Satan.

            On the Russian side, the Gelincik Fire was perceived as a sign of bad luck, as much as it was received by the Caucasians as a harbinger of good luck. 

            The incident, which had coincided with the arrival of Nadir Bey to Tsemez, led to a host of rumors and premonitions.  The Christian Englishman was welcomed by the Muslim Caucasians as a saint.  Many of the local leaders, Geriyiko Şemız in particular, entertained him by offering sacrifice in the form of slaughtering domestic animals. 

                                                              O0O

            By the time of the arrival of Hudson, alias Nadir Bey, Bell and Longworth had already been sufficiently familiar with the situation in Caucasia, and with the characteristics of the leadership and common people.  Nadir Bey was yet a beginner in exploring the situation.  The unending entertainment’s arranged in his honor had rendered him tipsy. 

            He was fond of talking about the war with whomever he met for the first time.  He would tell him that he was interested to take part in a battle to conquer a Russian fortress.  On such occasions he would take seriously anything said by way of courtesy or for the sake of politeness. 

            The quinine he had been taking for sometime, and the fresh air of the Caucasus had helped him to recover.  He was no more a victim of malaria seizures. He spoke incessantly, jubilant of recovering his health. 

            He would invite  any nobleman or a local leader that he came by to visit England.  He would offer to meet his travel  expenses, and would promise to  help him to meet the British government authorities. 

            Bell and Longworth did their best to avoid causing any embarrassment to Nadir Bey.  They have been trying to appear in agreement with his views as far as possible.  They involuntarily attested what he said; for each of them had been as exuberant during their early days in Caucasia as Nadir Bay currently was.  Themselves once had persistantly been in favor of war.

            In due course of time, having grasped the Caucasian reality, they had learnt to be patient.  Most important than any thing else, they had become familiar with all the leaders in the coast, whose opinion mattered, and were able to comprehend the defense policy those leaders followed. 

            The leader in command of the will of the people,  had devised certain policy objectives, though not rigid rules.  They had come to believe that they would necessarily receive foreign assistance from one source or the other.  Until such time they wished to maintain their capabilities.  Hence they preferred a defensive posture to offensive actions.

            Nadir Bey could not of course be expected to grasp such details so soon. 

            Bell and Longworth had extensively traveled in the western regions of Caucasia, had discovered the physical structure of the terrain as well as the characteristics of  the people living there.  They wished a similar opportunity be allowed to Nadir Bey as well.  They requested Şemız to allow them to take Nadir Bey on a tour of the area to the north. 

            Old Geriyiko did not object.  He seemed to have positively received the proposal.  He regretted that he could not take part in the trip for there were other urgent matters to be attended to. 

            Nevertheless he tried to appease them by offering certain measures he intended to take relevant to the projected trip.

            Şemız intended to ask either Pşımef or Geriyiko Ali to accompany the three Englishmen on their trip to the north, in addition to his own son and two of his servant to groom their horses and to attend to other services. 

            Bell and Longworth had sufficient time to get to know Şemız very well.  But yet it was rather difficult to understand as to why he guarded his guests so jealously.  He must have a good reason to disdain entrusting them to someone else. 

            James Bell attempted to appease his colleagues saying, “Don’s ever bother about the condition of our host!”  He went on,

            -  Şemız is an outspoken person.  He wouldn’t have kept it to himself if there were anything wrong concerning ourselves.  He would have told us right away.  I guess there must be certain problems exclusively pertaining to himself. 

            Bell was right in his assessment.  There were other reasons as to why Şemız did not wish to go to the north.

            Kadı Hacı Mehmet and Havuduko Mansur wanted total compliance with the decisions taken at the Adegum Congress, and that no one was authorized to mount an arbitrary action against the Russian positions, without the concent of the Assembly. Otherwise the whole community would suffer the consequences of arbitrary actions, they contended. 

            The Adegum resolutions had been adopted unanimously. Geriyiko Şemız, Şurukyiko Duğuj and Hacı Huzbek, however, did not consider themselves obliged to abide by the resolutions. 

            The independent line adopted by the three famous leaders set a precedence contrary to the position approved by the Assembly.  Certain irresponsible young fighters caused confusion in the orderly defense efforts.

            Hacı Mehmet and Havuduko Mansur had seriously warned Duğuj and Şemız on account of their arbitrary activities. They had sent out messengers after Hacı Huzbek, whose whereabouts was never definite. 

            The arrogant Geriyiko was somewhat annoyed on that account.  He  avoided meeting Mansur and Hacı Mehmet; for both were his relatives, and therefore he could not afford  to enter into an argument with them.  That was why Şemız did not want to go to the north. 

            Şemız was sure that Ali and Pşımef would be the most suitable company for the Englishmen in his own absence.  Both, however, were not available.  They had gone to the south to see the Bay of Gelincik, after being evacuated by the Russians following the fire. 

            Old Geriyiko Şemız had to let his guests go on the trip to the north in the company of his son and a few of his relatives.  They formed a well matched  group. 

            It was late in October. The forest comprised of such species as beech, alder, oak, chestnut and walnut trees. The leaves had yellowed and begun withering away.  The villages, districts and farms covered up by the wood, were exposed to sight.  Any moment one could encounter a herd of deer or swine.  At each turn and twist of the trail the scenery changed.  Each valley presented a different magnificence. 
            Having moved fast, on the first day they reached to the dwelling of Daziyiko Şupaş, where they were hosted overnight. 
            The aged Tokov had taken part in many battles.  At one of the battles he had lost his son.  He was rich but sad.  Before the fall of Anapa to the Russians, he had been engaged in trade.  Since the blockade of the coast, he  has been preoccupied with cultivation and animal husbandry.

            Şupaş duly entertained the Englishmen and their entourage, and narrated his memories. 

            Nadir Bey listened to the old man with great interest.  Frequently asked him questions.  He also had a chance to talk with some the polish young men who had deserted the Russian army and had taken shelter with Şupaş as his vassals. 

            The next day the group was hosted at the house of another Tokov.  On the third day they reached the village of Kambur Djefs, near Vestogoy. 

            Zaniko Sefer’s wife and children had been staying at Djefs’ place since their farm-house was destroyed by the Russians.  The old Tokov, who was better known as “the  Hunched-man of Vestogoy” had been a terrible worrier.  He and Kass Demir, his neighbor, had raided the Russian lines across the Kuban on numerous occasions.  He very much familiar with the terrain on either side of the river Kuban.  He used to carefully watch the Russian dispositions.  He could accurately forecast what the Russian would be doing next. 

            Nadir Bey was highly impressed by the adventures of Dfej across the Kuban.  The keen interest of the young Englishman in his stories prompted Dfej to volunteer to take him for a survey of the Russian villages across the river, an offer which doubled Nadir Bey’s excitement. 

            Nadir Bey was already prepared to undertake such an  adventure.  He would have fixed with the old man a night trip to the Russian villages, provided Bell and Longworth did not restrain him. 

            Bell and Longworth were aware of the resolutions adopted at the Adegum Assembly.  They warned their friend to the effect that unauthorized crossing of the river was prohibited, and that he should dismiss such a possibility. 

            The next day they entered the Sebebsi Valley.  Havuduko Mansur lived at the lower sections of the valley, while the famous Armenian trader Artin lived upstream. 

            Artin maintained his business activities under the patronage of Mansur.  Not only Artin, but also all the few Armenians in the valley each had a protector.  The Armenians were generally engaged in trade and handicraft.

            Havuduko Mansur always had too many visitors. Anyone in the neighborhood with a problem or a dispute would rush to him in search for a solution. The people wanted him to act as an arbitrator in any form of dispute. 

            Kambur Djef had accompanied the group to the Sebebsi Valley.  He had sent an errand in advance to inform Masur about the plans of the foreign visitors  and their entourage; so that any possible inconvenience on the part of the host to be  or the visitors could be averted. For he  knew how busy Mansur usually had been. 

            Actually Mansur was not in a position to receive staying guests for that night.  Djefs had acted prudently by informing  Mansur well in advance.

            Mansur in the meantime had arranged for the visitors to be hosted for the night by Armenian trader, his neighbor.  Artin did not spare any hospitality throughout their stay. 

            Artin the Armenian had the honor to take the visitors to Mansur’s house the next day.  He took pride in that.

            Havuduko Mansur lived a modest life.  For many years he had been leading his people, and had been fighting the enemy at different fronts, despite of his injured leg.  He, therefore, could not spare enough time to attend to the welfare of his own household. 

            Given that Havuduko Masur had little lust for property, he had not acquired a large estate.  He used to take a small portion of the war spoils, out of consideration for the poorer fighters.  A time came when he himself was in need of support by his friends. 

            The well to do families in the neighborhood, such as the Daziyikos and Çorukyikos, never neglected him.  They saw to it that his livestock  should not diminish.  The younger fighters have always tilled and sowed his field, and at the harvesting  season have helped him reap his crop.

            At Mansur’s house modesty and moderation, rather than poverty or pomposity, prevailed.  He did not keep household items that showed off  prestige, or in access of requirement.  Everything was kept clean and orderly.  Indeed Mansur owed much to his wife for the serenely life style. 

            The  renowned leader received his visitors, supporting on to a walking-stick and painfully smiling.  The cool and humid autumn weather had brought with it an unbearable pain in his wounded leg, which was apparent at the first glance.

            He greeted them with a hearty “welcome!” , lamely led the visitors to his guest house.  He opened the door and unshelled them in.  He expressed his apology for not being able to receive them the previous day. 

            Unlike the other leaders, Havuduko Mansur had been a man of principles.  He allowed no compromise on matters detrimental the interests of the people and the country.  He could even challenge the rigid dictates of the traditions should his conscience so demanded.  He never betrayed the confidence of anyone else.  He could refrain disclosing matters that he deemed should remain confidential, even otherwise it earned him an advantage. 

            The Englishmen, particularly Nadir Bey, not adequately aware of Mansur’s  habits, were in a rash in broaching certain subjects.  Mansur was not forthcoming with his response. In an attempt to warn them he remained quiescent. 

            After the meals, he told Artin and the other young men in the group that the second guest house had been ready for their accommodation, and that they might like to go and spend the rest of the time as they wished. 

            He sponsored the Armenian trader not for his own selfish interests.  His people had been having a hard time since the Russians had imposed an economic embargo on Caucasia.  The people had been unable to procure items essential for their daily subsistence.  Through the services of Artin, Mansur could arrange the provision of such items. 

            Mansur allowed no privilege to Artin in return to his services other than the  profit he earned as a trader.  He  never shared his secrets with Artin.  He wouldn’t mind sending Artin back to his own house even at late hours of the evening, his security properly taken care of.

            Artin and the younger members of the entourage having departed, only Mansur and the Englishmen were left in the main room of the guest house.  Thence Havuduko Mansur showed up with his true self. He began  talking comfortably. 

            Nadir Bey had understood that in front of  him there was a man of principles.  He decided not to babble any more before he understood him very well.

            Mansur sadly smiled, He pointed out that the Adiğes did not have a clear idea about the rest of the world; that they had been living through a sort of crisis since  the Russian blockade, and therefore they could make mistakes; and that he was sorry for that. 

            -  Our people have no contact with the people outside.  It is the first time when most of them happen to see foreigners like you.  They have been under distress and have been deceived for so long a time that such human sentiments and concepts as love,  hatred, fear, anxiety and hope have lost their true meaning to them. I know that most of the people here admire you, and at the same time look upon you with suspicion.  I assure you that the friendly relation between Britain and Caucacia  would eventually come to fruition one day, and then everything would be all right!

            They talked for a long time on many different subjects. 

            The Englishmen had little difficulty in conveying their ideas.  They noticed that Mansur was no less receptive than themselves.  They carried on with the discussion so comfortably as if they had been talking with a European intellectual. 

            Nadir Bey carried various medicines and ointments in his hand bag.  He wished to have a look at Mansur’s ailing leg before he retired to bed.  He said may be he could be of some help. 

            Havuduko, like a shy child, bent down his head, smiled, “May be later, later!” he said ad he got up.  He wished his visitors  “ Good night”, and proceeded to leave the room.  Nadir Bey stopped him,  holding his hand.  He protested, 

            -  It is no good to delay treatment of an ailment! 

            The young English man pointed out that every where in the world there were individuals who risked their lives by covering up their illness or by putting of medication. He reminded that it was no good to be ashamed in this matter.  He tried to help Mansur to undress. 

The renowned Adiğe leader laughed as he said, ”Okay, Okay” .  He stepped back, sat down, removed his trousers, and  stretched out his wounded leg. 

Nadir Bey examined the wounded leg.  The flesh once slashed by a sharp edged ice  block had not all together healed up yet. 

            The young Englishman cleaned the wound with alcohol, and applied a mixture of two different ointments on it.  He let it rest for half an our, and then dressed it with a clean cloth. 

            Mansur took a deep breath of relief.  He caressed the young man’s shoulder, as he said, “May God bless you!” 

            It was a late hour after midnight. 

            Havuduko wished his guests “Good night!” and left the guest house.  He found a few of his men waiting for him outside.  He gave them necessary interactions, and proceeded towards his family residence at the far end of the courtyard. 

                                                                O0O

            That night Havuduko Mansur felt the pain had some  what eased.  Soon after having stretched on his bed, he went to sleep.  He slept that night with no interruption. 

            Too many persons had examined his leg.  The local surgeons had tried to cure him with all sorts of herbal medicines.  He had also consulted the Russian physicians in Anapa.  He was admitted in local military hospital as an ordinary civilian patient.  All those treatments had not been much effective. 

            Nadir Bey’s treatment miraculously  relived him of the pain.  His face was happily gleaming as he entered the guest house  the next morning.  He seemed contented. 

            The young Englishman was very happy at the sight of his cheerful host.  He took pride in being of service to the number one man on the coast.  He announced that the same treatment would be applied on each alternate day. 

            The breakfast table was decorated with honey, milk, cheese, walnut and similar other food.  The fragrance of fresh corn bread fill the room.  They sat around the table as the service boys retired. 

            Nadir Bey noticed how neat and tidy were the food on the table.  “The breakfast tables of the noblemen in England are no richer than this one, I guess!” he remarked to Bell and Longworth. 

            The young man reeled off on the first morsel.  He stressed that he definitely wished to take part in the event of any clash with the Russians;  and that the strategically important Fort Anapa ought to be liberated.  In a rapid succession he announced that a leader like Mansur would be highly welcomed in Britain; that if Mansur was prepared to go to England, he would be pleased to meet his expenses; and that he would arrange Mansur’s meeting with the British statesmen. 

            Bell and Longworth, though not apparently as enthusiastic as Nadir Bey,  did take part in the discussion.  They affirmed some of the views expressed by their you colleague. They supported the idea of a Caucasian envoy to visit Britain. 

            Mr.Bell, who looked the most solemn of the three Englishmen, dwelt on the subject of sending an Embassy Mission to Britain.  He explained the significance of the idea in a few short sentences.  He said,

            -  Not only Great Britain, the whole of the continent also should be informed of the plight of the Caucasians!  They should understand you.  The adverse propaganda of the Russians ought to be countered. 

            Mansur appreciated Nadir Bey.  He was impressed by his exciting talks.  He very much wished to do him something good; show him something real.  At least he wanted to take the young Englishman to the bank of the river Kuban and let him see the Russian fortresses across the river.  But as he remembered the pain in his leg, he kept quiet. 

            He thought of doing him some other favor rather than giving him false hope of something which he might not be able for accomplish.  He should better arrange for excursions to the nearby valleys and to the hinterland, Mansur concluded.  He explained to the visitors what he had in mind:

            -  Yakub Bey³  has been amongst us for nearly eighteen months now.  All the time he has been in the coastal region only.  He has not been to the hinterland.  Should you meet our people and try to find out their ideas and aspirations, and examine their way of life, you would be in a better position to make a more accurate assessment relevant to the Caucasian people.  Be my guest for some time, and have look around!

            Mansur paused for a moment and pondered.  His countenance reflected deep scars of distress.  His voice carried the  throbbing of a broken heart. He went on,

            -  Please do not over estimate the  authority of persons like me, who are leading the people. We are by no means  capable of doing whatever we wish.   We, the Caucasian peoples, are too much independent.  But yet the leaders can do nothing without the concent of the community.  The conservative rules imposed by the traditions have rendered  us free, and at the same time have enslaved us.  This you can  understand only if you examined it on the spot.   I want you see it with your own eyes. 

            After the breakfast, Havuduko Mansur charted out an excursion program for the visitors.  He assigned guides to accompany them, and sent out errands to the destinations to be visited. 

            The visitors were not supposed to make short tours to last two days each.   At the end of each tour they were supposed to return to the Sebebsi Valley, and to start for the next tour the next day.  Thus Nadir Bey could go on with his treatment of Mansur’s leg once in two days. 

            The Englishmen and their entourage continually toured in the neighborhood for nearly twenty days, each night staying at a different place.  They paid visit to Kadı Hacı Mehmet, Hacı Ismail, Kalabatuko Hatuk, Kass Demir, and others.  They visited most of the villages in the Adegum Region.   At each of the places where they stayed overnight, they listened to very interesting narrations. 

            The stories of bloody battles, the feats of famous heroes, the legends, and the poems and songs  related to those episodes followed one after the other.  The causes of the friction between social classes were explored.  The growing consolidation of the movement for emancipation of the Tokovs⁴  was narrated by different individuals, each class presenting a divergent picture.  The dispute between the Abbats and the Tokovs was also discussed in the meantime. 

            Nadir Bey listened to the narrations in amazement.  In private, the Englishmen made an assessment of what they had been told.  “This people have become orators without learning how to read;  and have become poets without learning how to write!” Nadir Bey, alias Hudson, remarked; which made the other two laugh. 

            Hacı Mehmet and Hacı Ismail, each a prominent Quadi⁵  of the area,  had a through insight of the peoples’ problems.  They have been engaged in devising a new order to reorganize the masses, which had been  molded into classes by the traditions, in the light of the teachings of Islam.  They advocated superiority of one individuals over another by virtue of his personal attributes rather than that of his parents claimed through inheritance. 

            Hacı Mehmet belonged to the Indar clan.  If it were to claim superiority by lineage, no one could have could have been better placed.  He had given up the status of being a nobleman, which he had acquired by birth, and has been trying to establish a precedence in being a virtuous individual. 

            Hacı Ismail was no less a humble person than Indar Hacı Mehmet.  He lived a modest life. He delivered a sermon at each Friday Prayer, imparting the basis tenets of Islam.

            Both the clerics regarded the life style of Prophet Muhammed as the example to be followed.  The Holy Prophet had unified the divided Arab tribes in one faith.  So they sought to rally the Adiğe tribes under the banner of the National Assembly.  Their speeches and actions were oriented to the same objective. 

            Furthermore; they nurtured respect to and confidence in the Ottoman Sultan, who was the standard bearer of Islam, by virtue of holding the title of the “Caliph”. Both of them believed that the Ottoman Sultan would not forsake the Adiğes to defeat their ill fate by themselves, and that one day his armies would certainly arrive on the coast to throw out the Russians from the area. 

            The British visitors conferred with the two Muslim clerics also.  They explained their own mission and the resolutions of the National Assembly in detail.  They pointed out that unity of faith and purpose was a precondition to victory. 

            Allegiance to the Resolutions of the National Assembly had been declared in certain regions.  The regions in the east had not yet made their positions clear. Emissaries on behalf of the Assembly were to tour the whole of the country to invite the people to take  the “Oath of Allegiance”.  This could not be accomplished as yet; because the leaders has been preoccupied. 

            Kadı Hacı Mehmet made an exciting proposal to the effect that the Englishmen could be place on an emissary to be dispatched to the east, if they wished so. 

            Longworth and Nadir Bey were thrilled by the suggestion.  James Bell also positively received it.  He noted that it would be interesting to watch the oath taking ceremoney. 

            The winter season had approached.  The weather had cooled down.  Nevertheless; Havuduko Mansur was consulted on the project.  With his concent a National Assembly Delegation, headed by Kadı Hacı Mehmet, was formed.  The three Englishmen joined the delegation as observers. 

            The delegation first visited the Abın Valley.  Then in turn it toured the Valleys of Antkur, Ubin and Pasıfabe.  At each village the delegation had talks with the local leaders and the people.

            In the Abın Valley the delegation was accompanied by Hacı Huzbek, while in the Psıfabe Valley  it was warmly received by Nemeruko Şahingeri.  At the Çığızaç Village it was hosted by the Basti Family.

            James Bell, having noticed the size of the Basti district in Çığızaç, had a better idea of  Pşımef’s lineage.  Basti Smayl and Basti Aslan briefed him on the background of the family.  He was surprised to know that a family living in an isolated village as Çığızaç, had for many years been involved in significant events. 

            In some of the villages, which  the delegation visited, Islam had not yet sufficiently permeated.  The people, though listened to Hacı Mehmet attentively, cold shouldered the idea of taking the oath.  Mostly they disliked being dependent. 

            Though not sufficiently aware of the substance of Islam, some of the people seemed to have adopted  certain Islamic rituals in form only.  The month of Ramadan⁶  commenced while the delegation was still on the tour.  Everyone, including the children, stopped eating and drinking in day time. 

            The Englishmen also adapted themselves to the circumstance. They had late supper at night together with Hacı Mehmet and others, and observed a sort of fast during the day.  Everybody was pleased with their conduct. 

            Two polish defectors from the Russian army, who had been assigned to groom the horses of Englishmen, were the first to revolt against fasting. 

            The Catholic poles refused to observe fast, because their creed did not allow it.  Bell and Longworth appeased them in a short time.  They could eat in private. 

            Actually no one had ever demanded the Christians to observe fast.  The three Englishmen had meant to observe fast as a demonstration of respect to the conviction of the people they happened to be together.  It was an absolutely voluntary affair. 

            Bell and Longworth were very much concerned over the attitude of the Poles. 

            The two Englishmen had hoped that  the Poles  might be useful in creating the nuclei of a regular Caucasian army. Several hundred of them  had taken shelter with the Adiğe community.  They were educated and well trained persons.  Bell and Longworth had been contemplating to get them organized ⁷. 

            James Bell and Longworth had taken up the issue of the Polish deserters on a number of occasions with the Adiğe leaders.  They had advised Havuduko Mansur, Bastiko Pşımef and Geriyiko Şemız to consider testing  the Poles in  battles, rather than employing  them as manual labor.  They had invited the attention of the leaders to the possibility that the Poles might be useful in organizing an army.  The idea was accepted in principle.  The question of financing of an army, however, had been in suspense.  No sources were in sight to produce the funds required to raise an army. 

            The problem encountered relevant to observing the fast suggested the possibility of emergence of other impediments to the idea of creating a regular army.  How would the Christian Poles react when confronted with the Christian Russian soldiers?  True; they had deserted the Russians.  But how they would behave at war?  That remained unpredictable. 

            The Oath Taking Ceremonies went on till the first week of January. Though the delegation experienced disdain in varying degrees at some places, generally speaking the mission was successfully accomplished.  More significantly, as a result of the activities of the delegation, the idea of National Unity received extensive publicity. 

            The final and the longest stop over of the delegation was at the house of Şahingeri, from where contacts were made with the Minor Kabardey and the Abzeh tribes.  The delegation held meetings with certain leaders from the area. 

             There was snow fall.  The cold weather had set in, and  the streams were frozen.  So they decided to return to the coast. 

            Though they had  planned to follow trails other than those they had passed through before;  so that more villages could be visited; the weather conditions forced them the move on faster.  They did not stop overnight unless essential.