On This March Westwards They Kept Southwards Close To Circassia,
And Turned Off Towards The Don And The Sea Of Asof, Both Of Which Were
Frozen Over.
In order to find food for their cattle and horses, they
marched in separate parties, at so great a
Distance from each other, that
some crossed the river Don at a place called Palastra, while others crossed
it where it was covered with ice, near Bosagaz, which two places are 120
miles separate from each other; yet so well were their movements combined,
that they came upon Ulu-Mohameth quite unexpectedly, and he was constrained
to fly with his wife and children, leaving every thing in confusion behind
him, as Khezi Mohameth became emperor or khan in his stead, and again
crossed the Don in the month of June.
Proceeding westwards to the left from Tanna or Asof, along the coast of the
sea of Zabachi, or the Palus Maeotis, and then for some distance along the
Great or Black Sea, quite to the province of Mingrelia, one arrives, after
three days journey, at the province of Chremuch, Kremuk, or Kromuk, the
sovereign of which is called Bisserdi[3], and his son is named
Chertibei[4], which signifies the true or real lord. Bisserdi possesses a
beautiful country, adorned with fertile fields, considerable rivers, and
many fine woods, and can raise about a thousand horse. The higher order of
the people in this country chiefly subsist by plundering the caravans. They
have excellent horses; the people are valiant, inured to war, and very
artful; but have nothing singular in their manners and appearance. Their
country abounds in corn, cattle, and honey; but produces no wine. Beyond
this country there are other provinces, which have a different language,
and are not far from each other[5]. These in their order, considering
Kremuk as the first, are, 2. Elipehe (Chippiche, or Kippike); 3.
Tartarkosia (otherwise Tatakosia, Titarcossa, Tatartofia, or
Tatartussia); 4. Sobai; 5. Chernethei (otherwise Cheuerthei,
Khewerthei, Kharbatei, Kherbarthei, or Khabarda); 6. As, or the Alani. All
these provinces extend for twelve days journey, quite to Mingrelia; which
latter province borders on the Kaitacchi or Chaitaki, who live about the
Caspian mountains; and partly also near Georgiana, and on the shores of
the Black Sea, and on the range of mountains which extends into Circassia.
On one side likewise Mingrelia is encompassed by the river Phasis, which
falls into the Black Sea. The sovereign of this country is called
Bendian, or Dadian, and is in possession of two fortified towns near the
sea, one of which is called Vathi, or Badias, and the name of the other
is Savastopol[6]. Besides these he has several other castles and fortified
rocks. The whole country is stony and barren, and millet is the only kind
of grain that it produces. They get their salt from Kaffa. They manufacture
some dark coarse stuffs, and are a gross and barbarous people. In this
country Tetarti signifies white, and the word is likewise used to
denote silver coin:
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