and forced them to
mount on horseback behind them.

The passage of the Alazana was accomplished with great danger, and when
they reached the other side the half-naked ladies were wet, chilled,
and miserable. Strange to tell, Princess Baratov, a beautiful girl of
eighteen, had not lost any article of dress, and was as richly attired
as if she had been on her way to a ball. But poor Mdme. Drançay,
the French governess, had nothing left but a chemise and a corset. A
handful of Georgians attempted a rescue; the Lesghians mistook them
for the skirmishers in advance of an army, and fled. Princess Nina
Chavchavadze had an infant in her arms, and after riding for some
distance she was so wearied that the baby fell and was trampled under
the horses' feet. She would have leaped after it,Having boldly attacked the Turks, and driven them
out of every part of his dominions, he set himself to rebuild cities,
fortresses, and churches, purged the state and the church of many
abuses, and liberally encouraged education. These deeds have won for
him the name of David the Renewer. Georgia enjoyed prosperity for
the next hundred years, and then came the zenith of the national glory.

In 1184 Queen Tamara succeeded her father, and reigned twenty-eight
years, the happiest and most glorious period in the history of the
country. The queen had the good fortune to be surrounded by wise
counsellors and brave generals, but it is chiefly to her own virtues
that her success is to be ascribed. The military exploits in which she
was engaged spread her fame throughout the whole of Asia. Erzerum,
Dovin, Trebizond, Sinope, Samsun,