The three Englishmen had left Caucasia, each at different time and by different means. This gave the impression that there had been no particular ties between them, and that they had been thrown together simply by chance.

            Many different views were expressed about them after their departure. Some said that they were Russian agents, others commented that they looked like fugitives from laws. Yet others simply said "They were just ordinary profit seeking merchants!"

            Leaders like Şemız, Bastiko Pşımef, Havuduko Mansur never said a demeaning word of them. Bastiko Pşımef, the most mistrusting among them, regarded the three foreigners as instruments of the British imperial policy. He always maintained the same contention.

            Whatever may have been told of them, on the whole the Englishmen had left positive impressions on both the leaders and on the common men. They represented the civilized world. They had the will and ability to secure assistance for Caucasia, only if the circumstances had so permitted.

            Geriyiko Şemız was a rigid and realistic person. He would have preferred to keep the British in the Caucasia, even by force if required. Alas, he didn't have enough support from his colleagues to do so.

            In his view, if he had managed to keep the Britishers in the Caucasia, their presence could have helped realization of administrative reforms. Furthermore, they could perhaps secure assistance from Britain. At least, the future of Caucasia would have been kept as an issue between Russia and Britain.

            Bastiko Pşımef  too held the same views.
          Even though, the Prince of Tsemez  lately had grown suspicious of the three foreigners, he still believed in the benefits of keeping them in the Caucasia. Their constantly being pro-war,  had made him suspect their integrity. Perhaps, they were not influential enough at home to secure military assistance. But, they would have facilitated obtaining advanced weapons of the west, paid fffor in cash or in exchange of raw material. The fact that the Englishmen had been able to send goods to Istanbul and receive merchandise in exchange was a strong  evidence in support of the latter argument.

            Havuduko Mansur had appreciated their ability to generate new ideas and projects. None of the three were fighting-men. But, they knew that war was a matter of organization and strategy. They had always emphasized this point. In the face of Russian artillery, they had wanted Adiges to obtain similar weapons. They advised the Adiğe fighters be organized in the form of specialized units, however small they might be. They always advocated arming and using the Cossack and Polish deserters against the Russians.

            Kadı Hacı Mehmet, during his stay in Istanbul, had seen foreigners in the ranks of the Ottoman Army. He had realized the importance of their contribution in the restructuring of the Turkish army. He thought the same could be done in Caucasia. He regretted that they were not able to benefit from the Britishers to this end.

            The persons like a Şuruyiko Duğuj, Hacı Huzbek and Kass Demir, who were had been at the front lines most of the time, had little chance to get to know the Britishers well enough. To them the foreigners were travelers who had brought an unusual tinge or flavor  to Adiğey. 

            Those were the opinions that spread in waves from the coast to hinterland, where the Britishers were talked about with local additions  for a long time. For months the people hoped they would come back. Some anticipated ships carrying weapons,  some others waited for British troops to land at Caucasian coasts to exterminate the Russians.

            In due course of time they were forgotten, especially by the communion people.  Only a few of the leaders rembered them.

                                                             O0O

            In north-western Caucasia the soil salinity was quite low. It was evident in the fact that the land was covered with the richest flora in the world. This richness of the flora could not be explained simply by the climatic condition.

            Because of the Russian blockade, it was not possible to obtain weapons and essential needs. Scarcity of salt developed into a real crisis. At the coastal areas, it seriously threatened the livestock.

            Salt mines had been discovered on the mountains between Anapa and Tsemez, before the departure of the Britishers. But the mines could not be then exploited for want of mining know-how.

            Batmazyiko Ali Bey tried hard to meet the demand for salt through supplies from the Ottoman territories. But, it proved too difficult to transport the bulky cargo due to the Russian blockade.

            About a month after the departure of Longworth from Caucasia, a Turkish ship arrived from Trabzon. The captain of the ship was an intelligent and outgoing person. He had heard about the salt situation. He considered something could be done about it.

            Two Polish army deserters had lent him the idea. The three had heard the stories about the salt deposits in the mountains between Anapa and Tsemez. The Polish-man argued that they had conrete evidence relevant to the salt deposits.

            Batmazyiko concentrated on solving the salt problem. He formed a team including the Turkish captain and the two Polish men. He persuaded Bastiko Pşımef to join in the interprise.

            They went around in the forest areas for about three days, examined the rocks in the flood beds and occasionally did excavations. The salt content of the samples were low. They thought, though, it might be sufficient for the needs of the animals. They even concluded that the dissolution of the rocks in water could provide table salt.

            Ali Bey proposed to start salt production in partnership withPşımef.

            The Prince of Tsemez had been marginally involved in trade since the death of his cousin Janbek. During the troubled days following the Russian invasion of Tsemez, he had installed his second son Ahmet and his nephew Selim with Batmazyiko. Ahmet did not prove a capable trades-man. So he appointed his own younger son Osman for the job. He gave him a few men to work with.

            Osman, with Ali Bey, created a operational system. The salt containing rocks were mechanically crushed, the usable pieces were transported to be processed.

            The news of domestic salt production spread. It caught everyone’s interest in spite of  inferior quality of the product.

            The new salt market at Tsemez became a place for trading other goods as well. The Bay of Tsemez that had lost its importance after the bloody Russian invasion, regained its old dynamism. The ponies and small sail boats began to transport salt to the hinterland and to the Abhazian coasts respectively in spite of the Russian blockade.

            Bastiko Pşımef was one of those who believed that a long term over all armed struggle involving the entire people wouldn't be possible to sustain. The agriculture and other activities relevant to providing the essentials for subsistence could not be neglected for long. His son Osman had never shown any real interest in weapons and war. Therefore, he could be more useful such areas.

            In temperament Osman was like his mother Şayze. He spoke softly, and approached others with a smile. Very seldom he showed the Basti temper; even if he did, it never lasted long.

            He enjoyed working in the field, He was interested in breeding livestock.  He was as much  interested in horses. One of the greatest pleasures for him was to follow the herds, and to watch the animals grazing.

            Bastiko Osman was already on his way to be come a good example of "merchant cum peasant" type. This attitude of him seemed to be generally accepted by the people around him. His relatives who were actively involved in the fight, participated in night time raiding never complained. They never embarrassed him saying "Why don't you come to fight along with us?"

            Pşılı Marde's youngest son Samir had two daughters and one son. The girls as they grew up, began to visit Şayze. They were helping out the elder lady of the household. Their little brother Kundey never left alone his sisters, followed them around all the time.

            Being together most of the time, helped creat a close relationship between Osman and Kundey.

            Osman was few years elder to Kundey. In spite of the difference in age, the two became good friends as they were growing up.

            Kundey was like Osman's shadow. Their close relationship continued when they left their childhood behind and as they were coming to age. They herded the animals together, and then started to ride on wild horses together.

            When Osman began to manage the salt pits, Kundey was again at his side as his right hand. He was a healthy and able young man. He grasped the intricacies of salt mining process quickly.

            Once Basti Janbek and Kundey's father Samir had worked in harmony. Now the new generation was doing the same. Osman and the young Pşılı had formed a good team. They were cognizant of their social position and their obligation in carrying on their job.

            It was impossible for Bastiko Pşımef to let go his habits. Having reorganized his family business, he resumed his position among the leaders. He participated in meetings; and when he deemed it necessary, he went out to check the Russian garrisons at the coast. He observed the changes in their dispositions. Sometimes, he took a small group of fighter with him to check the Kuban shores.

            His elder son was a brave and able man. Alas, he had lost him in battle of Tsemez.

            Pşımef used to take Ismail along with him wherever he went. Now, Ahmet had replaced his late elder brother. Pşımef wished to train Ahmet to develop a personality capable to replace himself in the future. 

                                                             O0O

            Geriyiko Şemız was one of the oldest of the leaders on the coast. Nevertheless he was still the most vigorous. Physically too he was in good condition;  agile as ever.

            After the departure of the Englishmen, he became somewhat calm and pensive. In a short time though he recovered from the depressive mood and  regained his former excitement.

            He enjoyed teasing Pşımef. At times it was difficult to guess if he was serious or otherwise. Whenever he started addressing Pşımef with the phrase "Prince of Tsemez", it was certain that a joke would follow.

            Pşımef didn't the take ill the teasing of old Geriyiko, with whom he had family ties through his wife, He knew deep inside that Şemız cared for him. He usually allowed his jokes pass by in good humor.

            Şemız was terribly perturbed by the Russians building fortresses along the Black Sea coast while appearing to want peace. He went to the construction sites whenever opportunity permitted. He watched the enemy at work. If the circumstances permitted, he ordered the young fighters to open fire. He was trying to satisfy himself by at least creating a nuisance for his advisories.

            The Russian efforts were concentrated mostly in the south. It troubled the Ubih and Abhaz tribes most. As the situation aggravated, not only the coastal areas but also the hinterland began to be affected. The Abzehs and Ubihs began to believe in the necessity of taking counter-action.

            Upon the proposal of Hacı Degumuko, an Ubih leader, a meeting was called for mid-July. Ardler valley was chosen as the meeting place. Messengers were sent out to invite the Abzeh, Natuhay and Şapsığ leaders.

            The young horsemen carrying  the meeting invitation went directly to Geriyiko Şemız's home.

            It was a late afternoon. A large crowd was at Şemız's guest house. The conversations, as always had been the case, had turned into a bothersome quarrel. Geriyiko and Pşımef were having a minor row.

            When the young messengers were shown in, everybody stood up. They were offered seats.

            The eldest one, because it was urgent, told them the date of the meeting without giving any background information. A short lived silence prevailed in the room.

            Şemız was extremely pleased. He murmured to himself: “Finally Ubihs and Abzehs are going into action!" Habitually, he never directly expressed himself, but showed his satisfaction in some other way.

            He did the same again. In a very serious manner he pointed to Bastiko Pşımef. "There is our Prince!" he said.

            - If he takes the lead and gives us his permission, we will certainly come to the meeting!

            Some of the people present, including Geriyiko Ali and Batmazyiko, smiled. On the contrary, Pşımef’s eyes were sparkling in anger. The messengers could not  grasp what  Şemız meant to say. Troubled, they looked at Pşımef and then at Şemız.

            Bastiko Pşımef, still in anger, murmured.

            - God damn it! Your beard has turned all white, but you don't give up acting like a child!

            Şemız, in the same serious manner, stood up. He took few steps towards Pşımef.

            - Are you not the Prince of Tsemez? Where is the childishness in it? If you have given up your title, that's another thing!

            The people in the room couldn't hold themselves back any longer. A thunder of laughter broke out.

            The young Ubihs caught on the joke after a while, couldn't help laughing.

            But, when Bastiko Pşımef left the room yelling "With you, huh! I won't even go to heaven!" the young men felt uneasy. Perhaps it was the first time in their life to witness such a thing. It was unusual for the elders carry on teasing in such a fashion.

            It was a momentary incident. The young Ubihs were surprised to see the two men a couple of days later leaving for the south driving side by side.

            Hacı Dogumuko, a Berzeg by descent, had become known for his attacks on Russian fortresses. For the last few years, he didn't let go off his grip on the Russian garrison at Tuaps Fortress. The officers and the soldiers there had been practically beseiged. The commandant of the Poti region, went in to action when he heard about the meeting to be held under the leadership of Hacı Dogumuko. He wanted to take advantage of the existing dual leadership in Abhazya. Assuming that some people would be vulnerable to bribing; he promised one thousand gold rubles for anyone who would bring him the Ubih leader, dead or alive.

            The General's plan backfired both in Abhazya and in the Ubih region. Hundreds of pamphlets distributed secretly were dumped at the feet of Hacı Dogumuko, at the meeting. The Russian presence at the coasts was condemned in passionate speeches. Everyone took oath to fight to the end.

            The provocative pamphlets should have never entered the territories in the first place. Since these were there, that showed there were enemies within; there were traitors working for the Russians. Decision for drastic measures were taken to combat the culprits.

            The following decisions, reflecting the general popular tendency, were adopted:

             1. No contact was to be made with the Russians.

            2. Persons proved to have worked for Russians would be declared traitors, and would be punished severely. No one would be able to offer protection to the  convict for the sake of his status or blood ties.

            3. Tribunals would be set up in each region to bring  the traitors to justice. Their kins would not be allowed to serve as judges at thetribunal.

            The participants of the meeting from the north were pleased with what they saw and heard. From now on the resistance offered by smaller groups would interate to expand to assume a mass action, they visualized. 

            The Ubihs, who lived on the coastal area professionally were seamen. They earned their living mostly by pirating. They never had established respectable business. The Russian blockade had taught them a lesson.

            Şemız and Pşımef, on their way back to Tsemez, visited Indaryiko Mehmet at Pşat. Once a thunderous person, he had aged and was reduced to a quiet and pessimist individual.

            The old Indar had participated in raids deep into the Kuban basin for years. Lately, he had bravely fought against the Russian attacks on the coast. But now he exhibited weariness and frustration.

            - It is extremely difficult for us to measure up to the Russian forces. On the sea, they are almost capable of building floating cities. They can present themselves anywhere at any given time, landing countless men and material at our shores. I don't know how we could cope with them.

            He paused for a moment, and continued,

            - When their camps at Gelincik burned down last year, they pulled out. We were hopeful then that they would never come back. But they did return this spring. They disembarked thirty ships loads of soldiers and equipment on our shores in two days time. Right now  they are working like anything to establish a bridgehead and to permanantly settle on our land.

            Indaryiko's words impressed even the intractable Şemız. In the vicinity of Gelincik, they stopped at the forest heights and watched the Russian camps.

            The aged leader was right in what he had said. In fact within a few months, the walls of the fortress were raised again, about thirty barracks were rebuilt. The cannons were placed in the trenches that were dug facing the hinterland.

                                                             O0O

            It has been seventy years since the Russians started penetrating the Kuban basin. During this time they could only have been attempting to hold grip on the steps to the north of the river. Their attempts to spread towards the south had always been successfuly thwarted.

            But the situation had changed after the fall of Anapa. Since then the Black Sea had been reduced to a Russian lake. In a span of ten years, the Russians occupied the most beautiful and strategically the most important parts of the shore. They raised strongholds and fortresses there like mushrooms.

            Bastiko Pşımef felt the continuous tightening of enemy enrichment.  He had been  increasingly troubled by it. He spent most of his nights sleepless, waiting for the dawn to come with new hopes.

            As he was passing through the vicinity of Gelincik in the company of Şemız, Pşımef was terribly agonized at the sight of the rebuilt fortress. Geriyiko's words "Let them continue, we will see how long they'll last!", sounded to him like a prophecy of an approaching miracle. He envied his valiant attitude.

            Bastiko Pşımef was of course not a man indulged in reveries. He knew Şemız very well. He realized that in spite of his dispassionate appearance, he was troubled in sprit. He had observed the change in him since the departure of the Englishmen. The old Geriyiko went down to the shore as frequently as  opportunity presented itself, and watched the hazy Black sea skyline for hours; as if he was waiting for some one he expected to arrive.

            Towards the end of the summer two Turkish boats entered the Bay of Tsemez. Geriyiko received them with much excitement. He hosted the captains in his home. Alas, the men didn't have the sort of news he expected.

            He was disappointed further by the words of the captains. Caucasia was no longer on the foreign affairs agenda. The circles close to the Ottoman Palace had abandoned the issue.

            For Şemız, however, there was a limit to everything. It was useless to be troubled too long. Even the most negative incident could affect him for a few hours or for a few days only. At least, he was able to manage to put up a brave front. He saw the captains leave as enviously as he had received them.

            It was a few days after the departure of the Turkish merchant ships. One afternoon Pşımef noticed Şemız going down to the shore on his horse with his shoulders stooped. He was alone. Pşmef pulled his horse to follow Şemız.

            By the time Pşımef was ready, the Şemız had taken some distance. He didn't hurry to catch him. He chose to follow him from distance.

            He had thought Şemız would go by the rebuilt trading baracks at the far end of the Bay. But Şemız took a different direction. He followed the hill to the right side towards the ruins by the old Soğucak fortress.

            While following Geriyiko, Pşımef watched from the above, the desolate state of the once lively old town of Tsemez. He drove on in an acrid feeling.

            Şemız dismounted at the ruins.  He tied his horse to a stunted tree and disappeared inside the collapsed citadel. 

            The external walls of the fortress had been riddled with cannon balls. The roofs of the structures in the inner court had collapsed. The space was invaded by weeds.

            A while later Pşımef arrived at the fortress as well. He tied his own horse next to the Şemız’s anirnal. He walked around the ruins, inhabited by owls now, in no hurry. He thought about the past. He remembered the words of old Trah, and the old Basti who had built this place.

            He was so absorbed in his thoughts, that he nearly had forgotten all about Şemız. It took him  a while to spot him again.

            Geriyiko was sitting at the edge of an embrasure over looking the sea. At this part, a piece of the main wall and some of the stairs climbing up had remained erect.

            Şemız was looking towards the sea, he seemed to be preoccupied. He appeared as if he was trying to see something in the horizon, rather than being lost in meditation. He was looking, from time to time, through the binoculars James Bell had presented him.

            Pşımef walked up the stairs slowly and quietly. As he reached to the wide terrace, Şemız stood up suddenly. He seemed to have noticed something that excited him. His binoculars were directed to a target in the distance.

            Geriyiko turned back when he heard the pebbles crushed by the footsteps of Pşımef. He was terribly annoyed to see him. "God! Is that you?" he yelled. "You are sneaking like a wolf on a hunt." Then he lifted his binoculars back to his eyes with an angry grunt. He started to look into the western horizon again.

            Pşımef’s curiosity was aroused. He looked at the sea that gave a feeling of infinity. But, he couldn't see anything significant. Only there was a spot far far away. It seemed like a column of smoke.

            Şemız turned to Pşımef happily. He smiled as he said "A ship is coming!"

            - I have a feeling that it is a friendly ship. I think it is a British steamer. I suppose, our friends haven't forgotten us.

            Obviously he was extremely excited. He was panting, and he kept looking through the binoculars into the sea. "Yes, I am not mistaken! It is a British ship!" he said, repeatedly.

            Pşımef didn't see anything but a smoke column that was  clearly visible by naked eye. It was not possible yet to discern the flag of the ship. Geriyiko thought it was a British ship, because he wished it to be so.

            Pşımef felt the urge to warn him, to protect him from a disappointment. With a smile he said, "Don't rush to conclusions, let it come closer. We'll know who are they once we can see the masts."

            In half an hour, the steamer was there within their full view with all of its grandeur. It had slowed down and was making a large loop towards the south. When it stopped about two hundred meters away from the rocky cape, everything became clear. Because, there was a familiar flag flapping on top of the tall middle mast.