CHAPTER XII.

THE LESGHIAN MOUNTAINS.

Gerdaoul--Shooting partridges--Native wine-vaults--Expedition among the hills--Native houses--An inhospitable village--A dangerous ride--A welcome reception--Shepherd-boys--The Lesghians--Russian love for the Czar--Unsuitable education--Mountain-climbing--Magnificent scenery--Red deer--Vegetation--A chamois--A weary descent--A happy people--Photographing the scenery--A ‘Baboushka’--‘Developing’ our photographs--A mountain châlet--The snow peaks--Wild goats and sheep--Difficult mountaineering--An alluring chase--Suspended over a precipice--A bleak night’s lodging--Mountain turkeys--Black pheasants--Lammergiers--Advice to travellers--Return to Goktchai 255