"Chieftain," he cried, addressing Arslan Gherrei; "again, I ask you, where is my brother? If dead, say who slew him, that I may know my enemy; or, if he fell before the foe, why brought you not away his corpse, and arms?" "Khan," answered the chief; "is it not enough to say, that I cannot tell you of your brother? then ask me no more." Saying which, the whole body returned to their former position, leaving the Khan alone. He again followed them, when the council slowly rising, the aged chief, who had before spoken, again addressed him: "Twice have we warned you, Khan, not to question us of your brother. Now learn his fate; he died a traitor's death--fighting in our foemen's ranks, he fell, attempting treachery. He lies now amongst a heap of cursed Urus; his name disgraced and blotted from our memories. Now go, and ask no more of him. His name is foul." "Chieftain, whoever says my brother died a traitor's death, lies black as Eblis. Back in his mouth, I'll throw the calumny," cried the Khan. "My brother was ever a foe to Russia, and deeply will I avenge his slandered honour." At these words, the chiefs half drew their swords; but, recollecting that he stood one among many, and having compassion upon him for his grief, and his brother's crime and death, they returned them to their scabbards, and spoke not. "Uzden Arslan Gherrei, from henceforth know me as your deadly foe," cried the Khan; "whatever death my brother died, 'twas you that caused it, and I will have revenge, if I die to gain it." Uttering which, with a fierce tone and aspect, he strode from the spot, mounting his war horse, rode furiously from the camp, followed by the troop of his wild clansmen, without waiting to salute any of the chiefs he met. We must leave the Khan to pursue his headlong course, while we follow the movements of the Baron Galetzoff, and the small army under his command. After marching from Anapa, they proceeded to the newly erected fort, we have described on the south side of the Kouban, which was built on slightly elevated ground, at no great distance; though beyond gun shot of the range of mountains, which girt the territories to which the tribes of the Atteghei are now confined. On the other side extended a broad plain, formed of the marshes of the Kouban, from which the heats of summer draw forth the noxious miasma, so prejudicial to the health of the soldiers; but the flat marshy nature of the country, added to the security of the position, lessens the chance of a surprise, and gives full scope for the deadly fire of grape and rockets.