spread the cry, "Gharai, gharai!" (alarm,) and in
one hour the Tchetchenetzes and Kabardinetzes were assembling from
all sides. To avoid treason, no one but the leader knew where the
night-camp was to be, from which they where to cross the river. They
were divided into small bands, and were to go by almost invisible
paths to the peaceful village, where they were to conceal themselves
till night. By twilight, all the divisions were already mustered. As
they arrived, they were received by their countrymen with frank
embraces; but Djemboulat, not trusting to this, guarded the village
with sentinels, and proclaimed to the inhabitants, that whoever
attempted to desert to the Russians should be cut in pieces. The
greater part of the Ouzdens took up their quarters in the saklas of
their kounaks or relations; but Djemboulat and Ammalat, with the
best of the cavaliers, slept in the open air round a fire, when they
had refreshed their jaded horses. Djemboulat, wrapped in his bourka,
was considering, with folded arms, the plan of the expedition; but
the thoughts of Ammalat were far from the battle-field: they were
flying, eagle-winged, to the mountains of Avar, and bitterly,
bitterly did he feel his separation. The sound of an instrument, the
mountain balalaika, (kanous,) accompanying a slow air, recalled him
from his reverie, and a Kabardinetz sung an ancient song.

"On Kazbek the clouds are meeting,
like the mountain eagle-flock;
up to them, along the rock,
Dash the wild Ouzdens retreating;
Onward faster, faster fleeting,
Routed by the Russian brood.
Foameth all their track with blood."

"Fast behind the regiments yelling,
Lance and bayonet raging hot,
And the seed of death their shot.
On the mail the sabre dwelling
Gallop, steed! for far thy dwelling--
See! they fall--but distant still
Is the forest of the hill!"

"Russian shot our hearts is rending,
Falls the Mullah on his knee,
To the Lord of Light bows he,
To the Prophet he is bending:
Like a shaft his prayer ascending,
Upward flies to Allah's throne--
Il-Allah! O save thine own!"

"Ah, despair!--What crash like thunder!
Lo! a sign from heaven above!
Lo! the forest seems to move
Crashes, murmurs, bursts asunder!
Lower, nearer, wonder! wonder!
Safe once more the Moslem bold
In their forest mountain-hold!"

"So it was in old times," said Djemboulat, with a smile, "when ou