When a purchase is made the teeth are examined, to see that they are neither few nor discoloured.

At the same time the more hidden parts of the body are carefully inspected, and if a mole, excrescence, wound, or other latent defect is discovered, the bargain is rescinded.

But notwithstanding these investigations the cunning slave-dealers and brokers succeed in cheating the buyers; for when they have valuable boys and girls, they do not at once produce them, but first fatten them, clothe them in silk, and put powder and rouge on their cheeks, so as to sell them at a better price.

Sometimes beautiful and perfect maidens of our nation bring their weight in gold.

This takes place in all the towns of the peninsula, but especially in Kaffa."* * Michalonis Litvani, "De moribus Tartarorum Fragmina," X., Basilliae, 1615.
To protect the agricultural population of the Steppe against the raids of these thieving, cattle-lifting, kidnapping neighbours, the Tsars of Muscovy and the Kings of Poland built forts, constructed palisades, dug trenches, and kept up a regular military cordon.