Page:Ossendowski - From President to Prison.djvu/116

104 a striking spectacle, that was enhanced by the boldness of their expressions. The Cossacks quickly searched them, but the Georgians had kept their word and brought out no arms.

"You can go," I said to the first one who came out, "and do not trouble us in our work. Also you had better not enter any of these shafts again, as they can easily fall in and trap you there."

The young Georgian, with a strong, refined face set with fiery eyes, expanded the nostrils of his aquiline nose, showed with a smile a set of even, white teeth and answered:

"We took shelter here, as we were afraid of the hunghutzes." As he finished, he lowered his eyes and betrayed in his lips the tremble of a hidden laugh.

"Yes, I thoroughly understand! Seven such djighits (a rider or warrior) must, of course, be afraid of the hunghutzes! The Georgians are no warriors."

The young man raised his head and blushed. He seemed about to give a sharp and provoking reply, but, as he caught my eye, he broke out in a laugh. The other Georgians turned away their heads to avoid following the lead of their careless companion.

"Then we may go?"

"I have already said so once."

"Thank you," exclaimed the young Georgian, and quickly advanced to me. "My name is Eristoff, Prince Eristoff."

With those words he extended his hand. I pressed his small, strong palm and gave him my name. Each of his associates came up and repeated this urban ceremony in the midst of these wild surroundings, and then they all turned and filed quietly away.

We started at once to explore the realm of these elves,