[30] A superintendent.

[31] The house, in Tartar, is "ev;" "outakh," mansion; and
"sarái," edifice in general; "haram-khanéh," the women's
apartments. For palace they employ the word "igarát." The
Russians confound all these meanings in the word "sákla,"
which, in the Circassian language, is house.

"Mayest thou be victorious," said Sultan Akhmet Khan to Ammalát Bek, who
received him at the threshold. This ordinary salutation, in the
Circassian language, was pronounced with so marked an emphasis, that
Ammalát as he kissed him, asked, "Is that a jest or a prophecy, my fair
guest?"

"That depends on thee," replied the Sultan. "It is upon the right heir
of the Shamkhalát[32] that it depends to draw the sword from the
scabbard."

[32] The father of Ammalát was the eldest of the family, and
consequently the true heir to the Shamkhalát. But the Russians,
having conquered Daghestán, not trusting to the good intentions
of this chief, gave the power to the younger brother.

"To sheath it no more, Khan? An unenviable destiny. Methinks it is
better to reign in Bouináki, than for an empty title to be obliged to
hide in the mountains like a jackal."

"To bound from the mountains like a lion, Ammalát; and to repose, after
your glorious toils, in the palace of your ancestors."