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BATUM TO TIFLIS 53
An American representative of the Near East Relief was
also present, who hospitably invited us to stay at the house
of that organization while wc were in Batum ; but wc were
informed that the Government of the Transcaucasian republics
had sent a special railway carriage vvhich was to be at our
disposal for the entire journey through Georgia and Armenia,
and wc decided to move into it at once with our luggage and
take up our quarters there, after which wc could have a look
at the town. The tram to Tiflis was to leave at 6 p.m.
Wc went ashore. A crowd was waiting there to see the
strange new arrivals ; there were several photographers on
the spot, and even a cinematographer who turned the handle
all the time wc were leaving the boat and getting into the
waiting cars. So far it did not feel much as if wc were in
another continent. Wc drove to our carriage, which was
waiting for us on the railway-line, and were met there by an
Armenian named Narriman Ter Kasarian, an ofncial of the
Transcaucasian Government, who was to be our companion
and adjutant during the whole journey through the Trans
caucasian republics. As he had some likeness to Napoleon 111
wc generally called him Napoleon, which was easier to
remember.
When wc entered the roomy saloon of our carriage he
made a short, neatly expressed speech in Russian, welcoming
us cordially on behalf of his Government and the Trans
caucasian republics. Several other speeches foliowed ; wc,
and especially my unworthy self, were lauded to the skies as
friends and benefactors of the Soviet republics, of whom they
expected great things. It made us feel rather anxious, to
hear that so much was expected of us. I said a few words
in reply in English, which was translated into Russian by
Captain Quisling, assuring them that wc had come with
excellent intentions to do our best for the Armenian refugees
and the Armenians generally, but that wc anticipated great
difficulties and did not as yet know what could be done.
Our carriage was convenient and spacious in the Russian
style, with a large saloon and sleeping compartments • and wc
proceeded to settle in, treating it as our permanent home.
Then wc had to make up our minds as to what wc wanted to
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