Page:My Climbs in the Alps and Caucasus.djvu/375

322 contraction of the forest area, and leaves it a mere question of time when the last tree in that valley shall be cut down and burnt.

At Bulungu we found our hoped-for baggage had, not arrived, and we were in consequence forced to cross to Bezingi, as our scanty wardrobe was in sad need of replenishment. The next morning we accordingly rode across the low grass pass which connects the two villages. We found on our arrival that the village was en féte, and I promptly received an invitation to join in the festivities. I followed the tall native who had asked me, and we made a fairly straight line to his residence, occasionally scaling one side of a house, walking over the flat grass-grown roof, and dropping down on the other side. Arrived at the scene of the festivity, I was led to a seat provided with great down cushions of a gaudy colour and pattern, and left to watch the proceedings. The youth and beauty of Bezingi, attired in silk dresses and trousers of various and brilliant hues, were gathered in force, but, as sometimes happens nearer home, dancing men were very scarce; a strong tendency to lean up against convenient doorways and shirk their duty having to be combated with much vigour by the stewards of the ceremony. The chiefs son, and an individual who appeared to be his cup-bearer, proved, however, indefatigable in their exertions. The ladies disappeared between each set of dances,