The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-05-28

I idyls as he comes upon a picturesque
shepherd tending his flock, grazing In
infinite peace on solitary mountain
meadow.
The Abkhasians of the coast were
the Vikings Of the Black sea before
that body Of water came under Rus
sian dominion. In their long galleys
holding 100 to 300 men they raided the
coasts of the Crimea, Anatolia, and
even European Turkey. After Rus
sian ships piled the sea these marine
forays had to be given up. Then In
1888 the Muscovite forces came to the
isolated northeast coast itself and the
land became Russian territory. The
Abkhasians were not happy under the
Russian yoke and thousands Of them
moved into Turkey. When Turkey
was at war with Russia in 1877, the
Abkhasians helped the invading Tur-
kish armies, and when the Russians
won the war, 10000 Of them emigrated
in body to Asiatic and European Tur-
key. The region was almost depopu-
lated by this movement and has re-
manned largely unoccupied since. The
old inhabitants were forest lovers,
practicing their religious rites among
the trees and holding the oak sacred
as did the Druids. Offerings were
hung to the branches, and even some
of the dead were disposed Of in this
way.
He who searches in the forests,
among the underground, and even be-
meath the sea, will find many evidences
of the past north of this fringe OF
coast land. During the Roman regime
there was a highway along the coast
and a few of the milestones are still
standing, though all traces Of the road
have disappeared. To the natives OF
today these staunch reminders of
past civilization are merely fairy al
tarS'
Ruins Of Greek City.
Changes in the level Of the shore
line have helped to obliterate marks OF
the past. At Sukhum ruins Of the old
Greek city of Dioscurias can be seen
under the waters Of the harbor.. The
very sands are filed with evidences OF
past civilization, and after severe
storms old coins, rings and various 9TH
er objects have been found on the
beach.
Herodotus knew tho Caucasus for
the highest mountains with which the
civilized world was acquainted. He
reported that the people lived on fruit,
and SO they do to great extent, even
today. Leaves for making fast dye
were obtained in the forests, he wrote,
and the people were insensible to laws
of decency or morality. To the Black
sea shore of the Caucus came Jason
in his tiny ship in search Of the golden
fleece. Perhaps the golden fleece
was merely an excuse, a business
trip" which would permit him to spend
a summer at what the world has re-
discovered as an attractive vacation
resort.
Prometheus was bound by the gods
to the frozen TANKS of Elbruz, legend
has it. He was the god Of fire and
cultural progress, a friend of man, and
it was for frustrating acts of despotic
deities that he was chained to the high
est peak in Europe.
Elbruz is constantly topped with
kingly ermine snow" but visitors say
1t does not compare In majesty to
many other famous peaks. Like Mt.
Rainier, Elbruz is a volcanic cone.
Many peaks of the Caucasian barrier
were once volcanoes spewing lava.
Though 1t is the highest mountain In
Europe, it's 1910 feet are exceeded
by Alaskan peaks, many In South
America and a few in Africa and Asia.
A quick way to see the northeast
coast at its best is to sail In a coasting
steamer from Batum to Novorosiisk.
The vessel is In sight of land all the
way. and from its deck the rugged
coast-line with its background OF peaks
stands out in all its grandeur. Often
the tops Of the range are shrouded In
clouds, but from time to time the veil
shifts and discloses sparklingly White
peaks.