Part 14 (2/2)
”All the tribe asse with Aneouta Ourwith the Zingari, I had retained their dress I had now again taken the stains froth on the banks of thefor the appearance of a stea lately with so ot ht be asked for ht be stopped, and sent to prison I had fastened my money about my body, but I kept a few roubles ready at hand in case of necessity There is nothing like a bribe in Russia to alter a person's vision--black is made white, and white black I had never before seen a steamer I was struck with aht On it cae sithout apparent effort When it drew nearer I saw that it had huge wheels driving it along I could scarcely contain my admiration; yet it would not do to exhibit it, lest I should appear a novice in the world When the vessel stopped, people rushed on board; I followed them They were all too busy about their own affairs to think of me I passed on with a number of mujicks into the fore part of the vessel, where we stood huddled together like a flock of sheep in a pen Everybody was talking, or laughing, ora noise of some sort Several had sed more vodka than their heads could stand, and were still more vociferous; but the confusion added to my security I talked away as fast as anybody else, and tried to learn who people were, and struck up acquaintances with the the , and sleeping on deck; but the weather was fine, and itfriends wherever I have been, and on this occasion I fell in with a nised as one of the Molokani Although he took me by my dress only for a huot into intimate conversation with hiht assist hiht he could succeed in procuring me a pass, which would enable me to proceed on to Moscow He had been often to Nishni, also h many other parts of Russia As he knew somewhat of the world, therefore, his advice was of rees I learned to place confidence in him, and told him part ofthe Eain the friendshi+p of so to Moscow, and would allow me to accompany them In that way the pass he could procure me would be unquestioned, and they would afterwards probably assistaccess to the Enanirant entlemen, I have told you my history; far more of it, I own, than I at first purposed My object in so doing, you have, I doubt not, divined I earnestly beseech you to allow me to accompany you to Moscow, to reetting access to the Emperor Every word I have told you is true You will run none of the risks of offending against the laws of the country which Russians in your position , not only on ed parents, and on , happiness to a whole family”
”Tell him that we are all deeply interested in his history, and that we believe it to be perfectly true,” said Cousin Giles, as soon as Mr Allwick had ceased translating; ”but that I do not see hoe can assist him, as he proposes, while I certainly cannot suppose that we can in any way enable hiet access to the Emperor”
”I hope that you will allow me to plead for him myself,” returned Mr Allwick ”I knew his parents I have been to their village, and he hi in the crowd, and that induced him to pay us this visit The truth is, I have seen ious people do not exist When travelling in the south of Russia with a gentleman, to whom I was attached as secretary, we have had thirty of theh peasants of the huentleht them not only to be kind and courteous to each other, but to put aside all dirty habits and customs, and I am certain that no persons in the most polished society would have acted in a more refined manner than they did”
”If that is the case, and you are willing to be responsible for your friend, I, for my part, shall be happy to run any risk which ive him every assistance in ht be proud Tell him that ish him every success, and will help hiree with me?”
asked Cousin Giles
”Oh, certainly, certainly,” answered Mr Evergreen, with his usual bland sht also; so, Mr Allwick, tell hi hand whenever I can; and if we can get back his old father and mother from Siberia, or rather from their way there, ill see what can be done for theer, as soon as Mr Allwick had told hilishratitude Mr Allwick assured thehtly in thus affording the stranger their protection So it was arranged that he was to return in the ed publicly to act as their servant
They proposed reh the country, before returning to Moscow for the coronation
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Cousin Giles meets an old Friend--Excursion into the Interior--Fine View on the Volga--Scenes on the Road--The Count's Estate--Welcomed with Bread and Salt--The Count's old-fashi+oned Mansion--A Fishi+ng Excursion--Winter in Russia--Russian Stoves--Modes of keeping out Cold--Mode of Dressing in Winter--Result of a Snowless Winter
”I know that man, I am certain,” exclaimed Cousin Giles, as the travellers were on their way from their hotel to the busy part of the fair Just before the-jacket, with a stout stick in his hand, and walking along with that free and independent air which generally distinguishes a seaman ”Hallo, old shi+p! Where are you bound to? Heave-to till I can co out Cousin Giles, in a loud, jovial voice, which instantly made the person who has been described turn his head His countenance brightened as he did so, and with extended hands he came back, and heartily shook those of our friend
”Well, Fairhted to see you,” he exclaiht you to this part of the world?”
”The love of travel, and the pleasure of showing a s lads,” answered Cousin Giles ”But I assure you, Ivanovitch, I ah I should little have expected to find you acting the part of a country gentleman when last we parted on the deck of the _Asia_”
”I have been through a good deal since then, but ill talk of that another tihtest foreign accent ”Well, we have met most opportunely I stopped a day at this place to see the humours of the fair, on my way to take possession of an estate which has lately been left me, and if I can induce you to accompanyI should like; and as I know you are sincere, I will accept your invitation; but I have several companions, and I fear we shall crowd you,” said Cousin Giles
The Russian laughed heartily
”A dozen people, more or less, makes no difference in on? Of our houses,” he answered; ”I shall be delighted to see them, and any more you may like to ask”
”My present party, with a servant we engaged yesterday, are all I will bring,” said Cousin Giles ”When are we to set off?”
”To-, at daybreak, to enjoy as et there in two days without fatigue”
So it was all arranged Nothing could be more pleasant or convenient
The travellers would thus see country life in Russia to great advantage, and be able to get back to Moscow in time for the coronation
Alexis Ivanovitch, Cousin Giles' old friend, had been educated in England, and afterwards served for several years on board a Britishseaation
Several Russians have been allowed by the British Government to study on board their shi+ps; and they have, with perfect impartiality, allowed Turks, in the same way, to learn the art of naval warfare It hile serving together afloat that Cousin Giles and Alexis Ivanovitch, now a Count, had for of the second day the carriages of the travellers reached a village standing on a height overlooking that father of European rivers, the Volga The scene was a lovely one The cloudless sky had a faint pinkish tint, while a rich loas cast over the landscape Far in the east, across the river, were boundless steppes, their verdant hue depending entirely on the dews of heaven, there not being a well or water-spring throughout their whole extent To make amends for the want, Nature has planted on them the juicy water-melon, which those only who have luxuriated on it, in a hot country, can appreciate Here and there ht be seen the caht, or of herdso out there to prepare fodder for the winter food of their beasts; while in the west the eye wandered over ranges of hills, cultivated fields, and populous villages, with their grey wooden houses peeping out froe before theable-ends of all, formed of wood, and often tastefully decorated with carved work, being turned towards the road
On the river below theainst the sluggish streaes deeply laden with corn; the voices of thechorus