I left Phasis on the 4th of July, accompanied by Nicholas Capella, and crossed the river Mare on a float.  That day and the next, we travelled through a considerable portion of Mingrelia, always among woods and mountains.  Towards the evening of the 5th, we came to the habitation of prince Bendian, whom we found, with all his court, reclining on a plain, under the shade of some trees.  I sent Nicholas Capella to inform him of my quality, and to ask permission to pay him my respects, which was accordingly granted.  I saluted him, therefore, with great respect, as he sat on the ground with his wife and children, and he made me sit down beside him.  After explaining the purpose of my journey, I requested he would have the goodness to appoint me a guide.  He expressed his satisfaction at my arrival in his dominions, and granted my request.  He afterwards sent me some bread, a piece of beef, and the head of a sow, but so under done, that it required the extreme necessity in which we then were to induce us to eat of his provisions; but when we cannot get what we like, we must put up with what can be had.  We had to wait a whole day for the promised guide.  The plain in which we found prince Bendian, is surrounded by very fine trees, resembling box, but much more lofty.  The prince seemed about fifty years of age, and had a tolerably handsome countenance, but his manners were perfectly ridiculous.

On the 7th of July we continued our journey, always among woods and mountains, and next day passed the river which divides Mingrelia from Georgia, having to pass the night in the open air, and, what was worse, we had nothing to eat.  On the 9th, we arrived at a small city named Cotachis[3], which is defended by a stone fort, and where we saw a temple that seemed very ancient.  We had here to pass a bridge over a large river, before reaching the plain in which the huts of Plangion, king of Georgia, are situated.  The fort and city of Cotachis belong to Plangion.  I waited upon the commander of this place who invited me to dinner.  He was seated on the ground, on which I, and those of my suite who accompanied me, and some friends of the governor, all sat down.  Before us was laid a greasy skin, on which they served us with bread, radishes, some flesh, and other execrable articles with which I was not acquainted.  They continually offered me wine in large goblets, to fill me drunk, according to their abominable customs, as they are as foolish and beastly as the Mingrelians.  Finding that I would not join them in deep drinking, they held me in great contempt, insomuch that I found it extremely difficult to get leave to retire and to continue my journey.  But at length they brought me a guide to conduct me to the king of Georgia.