"O fear not for me, Sir," replied Javis, "my life is of but little value to any one, and the danger is not so great as it appears; for those thick-headed Russians are not likely to distinguish me at night from the Armenian. I shall also, I have no doubt, be able to gain some further information from the man to-morrow." The next morning the Armenian appeared with his packs on his horses' backs, as if prepared for a journey. He smilingly saluted the chiefs who were assembled in front of the guest-house; but alarm took the place of his smiles, when he observed the stern looks which met him on every side; and more so when he found himself surrounded by a number of their armed followers. "Whither go you so fast, Armenian?" said the Hadji, sternly. "Are you hastening to visit your friends the Urus? What, do you turn pale? Drag the treacherous spy from his horse," he added, turning to his attendants, "and bring him along. We will judge his case; and if he prove guilty, he knows the punishment of spies." The unfortunate pedlar trembled violently as he was dragged along to an open glade surrounded by trees, at a short distance from the village. Here the chiefs soon assembled, as well as several rich Tocavs or yeomen, and other influential men in the neighbourhood, who were summoned to give the criminal the fairest trial. The judges seated themselves, with due formality and gravity, in a semi-circle, on a grassy bank, when the terror-stricken Armenian was brought before them. The witnesses against him, Javis and his guide, were also summoned into their presence. Javis first gave his evidence, which Ivan interpreted, as also did his guide. "Said you not, Armenian, that you were a man of peace, and a friend to the Atteghei?" demanded the chief of the village, who acted as president. "See that you have not spoken lies, and proved that you are a friend of our enemies. Answer this one question: where went you last night?" "Where went I?" tremblingly echoed the Armenian. "I went forth from the house of my good konag, to cool my brow after the heat of the day. Surely I went no where beyond the hamlet." "Oh thou son of the evil one! Think you to elude our vigilance? Answer truly, or you die on the spot. Why went you to the camp of our enemies?" "Oh! spare my life, noble chiefs!" cried the Armenian, falling on his knees. "I am but a poor trader, and I went but to sell my goods. Oh slay me not, valiant nobles!" "Do you not know that it is prohibited to have any dealings with the enemy?" said the president. "And of what use are such goods as you carry to the Urus? But you are full of lies. You went without your goods, secretly, and by night. You know the enemy's password. You were seen to enter their fort, and shortly after to return. Your own words condemn you. What say you, Uzdens?" turning to the other judges, "has the Armenian proved himself to be innocent, or is he guilty?"