,P>T #c3 ,SIB]IA1 ,SECTION #d 

#ahiiahii 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,PET] ,KROPOTK9 

,TEXT 3 

  

,PHOTO BY ,TOMATO ,UMLAUT1,C,C ,B,Y-,N,C-,N,D ,LIC5SE ,SEE+ ?AT !RE WAS NO?+ MORE TO BE DONE AT ,*ITA 9 ! WAY ( RE=MS1 ,I GLADLY ACCEPT$ ! (F] TO VISIT ! ,AMUR ?AT SAME SUMM] ( #a#h#f#c4 

,! IMM5SE DOMA9 ON ! LEFT 7NOR!RN7 BANK ( ! ,AMUR1 & ALONG ! ,PACIFIC COA/ AS F> S\? AS ! BAY ( ,PET] ! ,GREAT 7,VLADIVO/OK71 HAD BE5 ANNEX$ TO ,RUSSIA BY ,C\NT ,MURAVI(F1 ALMO/ AGA9/ ! WILL ( ! ,/4 ,PET]SBURG AU?ORITIES & C]TA9LY )\T MU* HELP FROM !M4 ,:5 HE CONCEIV$ ! BOLD PLAN ( TAK+ POSSESSION ( ! GREAT RIV] :OSE S\!RN POSITION & F]TILE L&S HAD = ! LA/ TWO HUNDR$ YE>S ALWAYS ATTRACT$ ! ,SIB]IANS2 & :51 ON ! EVE ( ! OP5+ ( ,JAPAN TO ,EUROPE1 HE DECID$ TO TAKE = ,RUSSIA A /RONG POSITION ON ! ,PACIFIC COA/1 & TO JO9 B&S )2 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 HE HAD ALMO/ EV]YBODY AGA9/ HIM AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG3 ! M9I/RY ( W>1 :I* HAD NO M5 TO DISPOSE (2 ! M9I/RY ( F9ANCE1 :I* BAD NO MONEY = ANNEXATIONS2 & ESPECIALLY ! M9I/RY ( =EIGN AFFAIRS1 ALWAYS GUID$ BY ITS PREOCCUPATION ( AVOID+ 0DIPLOMATIC COMPLICATIONS40 ,MURAVI(F HAD ?US TO ACT ON HIS [N RESPONSIBILITY1 & TO RELY UPON ! SCANTY MEANS :I* ?9LY POPULAT$ ,EA/]N ,SIB]IA C\LD AF=D = ?IS GR& 5T]PRISE4 ,MOREOV]1 EV]Y?+ HAD TO BE DONE 9 A HURRY1 9 ORD] TO OPPOSE ! 0ACCOMPLI%$ FACT0 TO ! PROTE/S ( ! ,WE/ ,EUROPEAN DIPLOMATI/S1 :I* W\LD C]TA9LY BE RAIS$4 

,A NOM9AL OCCUPATION W\LD HAVE BE5 ( NO AVAIL1 & ! IDEA WAS TO HAVE ON ! :OLE L5G? ( ! GREAT RIV] & ( ITS S\!RN TRIBUT>Y1 ! ,USURI1 - FULL #be MILES1 - A *A9 ( SELF-SUPPORT+ SETTLEM5TS1 & ?US TO E/ABLI% A REGUL> COMMUNICATION BETWE5 ,SIB]IA & ! ,PACIFIC COA/4 ,M5 W]E WANT$ = !SE SETTLEM5TS1 & AS ! SCANTY POPULATION ( ,EA/ ,SIB]IA C\LD NOT SUPPLY !M1 ,MURAVI(F WAS =C$ TO UNUSUAL MEASURES4 ,RELEAS$ CONVICTS :O1 AFT] HAV+ S]V$ !IR TIME1 HAD BECOME S]FS TO ! IMP]IAL M9ES1 W]E FRE$ & ORGANIZ$ AS ,TRANSBAIKALIAN ,COSSACKS1 P>T ( :OM W]E SETTL$ ALONG ! ,AMUR & ! ,USURI1 =M+ TWO NEW ,COSSACK COMMUNITIES4 ,!N ,MURAVI(F OBTA9$ ! RELEASE ( A ?\S& H>D-LABOR CONVICTS 7MO/LY ROBB]S & MURD]]S71 :O W]E TO BE SETTL$ AS FREE M5 ON ! L[] ,AMUR4 ,HE CAME HIMSELF TO SEE !M (F2 & AS !Y W]E GO+ TO LEAVE1 ADDRESS$ !M ON ! BEA*3 0,GO1 MY *ILDR51 BE FREE !RE1 CULTIVATE ! L&1 MAKE IT ,RUSSIAN SOIL1 />T A NEW LIFE10 & SO ON4 ,! ,RUSSIAN PEASANT WOM5 NE>LY ALWAYS1 ( !IR [N FREE WILL1 FOLL[ !IR HUSB&S1 IF ! LATT] HAPP5 TO BE S5T TO H>D LABOR 9 ,SIB]IA1 & MANY ( ! W\LD-BE COLONI/S HAD ?US !IR FAMILIES ) !M4 ,BUT ?OSE :O HAD NONE V5TUR$ TO REM>K TO ,MURAVI(F3 0,:AT IS AGRICULTURE )\T A WIFE6 ,WE \<T TO BE M>RI$40 ,:]EUPON ,MURAVI(F ORD]$ ! RELEASE ( ALL ! H>D-LABOR CONVICT WOM5 ( ! PLACE - AB\T A HUNDR$ - & (F]$ !M !IR *OICE ( ! M54 ,BUT !RE WAS LITTLE TIME TO LOSE2 ! HI< WAT] 9 ! RIV] WAS RAPIDLY GO+ D[N1 ! RAFTS HAD TO />T1 & ,MURAVI(F1 ASK+ ! PEOPLE TO /& 9 PAIRS ON ! BEA*1 BLESS$ !M1 SAY+3 0,I M>RY Y\1 *ILDR54 ,BE K9D TO EA* O!R2 Y\ M51 DON'T ILL-TREAT Y\R WIVES1 - & BE HAPPY40 

,I SAW !SE SETTL]S SOME SIX YE>S AFT] ?AT SC5E4 ,!IR VILLAGES W]E POOR1 ! L& !Y HAD BE5 SETTL$ ON HAV+ HAD TO BE CLE>$ FROM UND] VIRG9 =E/S2 BUT1 ALL ?+S CONSID]$1 !IR SETTLEM5TS W]E NOT A FAILURE & ! ,MURAVI(F M>RIAGES W]E NOT LESS HAPPY ?AN M>RIAGES >E ON ! AV]AGE4 ,?AT EXCELL5T1 9TELLIG5T MAN1 ,9NOC5TUS1 BI%OP ( ! ,AMUR1 AFT]W>DS RECOGNIZ$ !SE M>RIAGES1 AS WELL AS ! *ILDR5 ?AT W]E BORN1 AS QUITE LEGAL1 & HAD !M 9SCRIB$ ON ! *UR* REGI/]S4 

,MURAVI(F WAS LESS SUCCESSFUL1 H[EV]1 ) ANO!R BAT* ( M5 ?AT HE ADD$ TO ! POPULATION ( ,EA/ ,SIB]IA4 ,9 HIS P5URY ( M51 HE HAD ACCEPT$ A C\PLE ( ?\S& SOLDI]S FROM ! PUNI%M5T BATTALIONS4 ,!Y W]E 9CORPORAT$ AS 0ADOPT$ SONS0 9 ! FAMILIES ( ! ,COSSACKS1 OR W]E SETTL$ 9 JO9T H\SEHOLDS 9 ! VILLAGES ( ! ,SIB]IANS4 ,BUT T5 OR TW5TY YE>S ( B>RACK LIFE UND] ! HORRID DISCIPL9E ( ,NI*OLAS ,I4'S TIME SURELY W]E NOT A PREP>ATION = AN AGRICULTURAL LIFE4 ,! SONS DES]T$ !IR ADOPT$ FA!RS1 & CON/ITUT$ ! FLOAT+ POPULATION ( ! T[NS1 LIV+ FROM H& TO M\? ON OCCASIONAL JOBS1 SP5D+ *IEFLY 9 DR9K :AT !Y E>N$1 & !N WAIT+ AS C>E-FREE AS BIRDS = NEW JOBS TO TURN UP4 

,! MOTLEY CR[D ( ,TRANSBAIKALIAN ,COSSACKS1 ( EX-CONVICTS1 & 0SONS0 - ALL SETTL$ 9 A HURRY1 & (T5 9 A HAPHAZ>D WAY1 ALONG ! BANKS ( ! ,AMUR - C]TA9LY DID NOT ATTA9 PROSP]ITY1 ESPECIALLY 9 ! L[] P>TS ( ! RIV] & ON ! ,USURI1 :]E ALMO/ EV]Y SQU>E Y>D ( L& HAD TO BE WON FROM A VIRG9 SUBTROPICAL =E/1 & :]E DELUGES ( RA9 BR\<T BY ! MONSOONS 9 ,JULY1 9UNDATIONS ON A GIGANTIC SCALE1 MILLIONS ( MIGRAT+ BIRDS1 & ! LIKE1 CONT9UALLY DE/ROY$ ! CROPS1 F9ALLY R$UC+ :OLE POPULATIONS TO %E] DESPAIR & APA?Y4 

,CONSID]ABLE SUPPLIES ( SALT1 FL\R1 CUR$ MEAT1 & SO ON HAD !RE=E TO BE %IPP$ EV]Y YE>1 TO SUPPORT BO? ! REGUL> TROOPS & ! SETTLEM5TS ON ! L[] ,AMUR1 & = ?AT PURPOSE SOME HUNDR$ & FIFTY B>GES W]E YE>LY BUILT AT ,*ITA & FLOAT$ ) ! E>LY SPR+ HI< WAT] D[N ! ,+ODA1 ! ,%ILKA1 & ! ,AMUR4 ,! :OLE FLOTILLA WAS DIVID$ 9TO DETA*M5TS ( FROM TW5TY TO ?IRTY B>GES1 :I* W]E PLAC$ UND] ! ORD]S ( A NUMB] ( ,COSSACK & CIVIL-S]VICE (FIC]S4 ,MO/ ( !SE DID NOT KN[ MU* AB\T NAVIGATION1 BUT !Y C\LD BE TRU/$1 AT LEA/1 NOT TO /EAL ! PROVISIONS & !N REPORT !M AS LO/4 ,I WAS NOM9AT$ ASSI/ANT TO ! *IEF ( ALL ?AT FLOTILLA1 - LET ME NAME HIM1 - ,MAJOR ,M>OVSKY4 

,MY FIR/ EXP]I5CES 9 MY NEW CAPACITY ( NAVIGATOR W]E NOT 5TIRELY SUCCESSFUL4 ,IT SO HAPP5$ ?AT ,I HAD TO PROCE$ ) A FEW B>GES AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE TO A C]TA9 PO9T ON ! ,AMUR1 & !RE TO H& OV] MY VESSELS4 ,= ?AT PURPOSE ,I HAD TO HIRE M5 FROM AMONG ?OSE V]Y 0SONS0 :OM ,I HAVE ALREADY M5TION$4 ,NONE ( !M HAD EV] HAD ANY EXP]I5CE 9 RIV] NAVIGATION2 NOR HAD ,I4 ,ON ! MORN+ ( \R />T MY CREW HAD TO BE COLLECT$ FROM ! PUBLIC H\SES ( ! PLACE1 MO/ ( !M BE+ SO DRUNK AT ?AT E>LY H\R ?AT !Y HAD TO BE BA!D 9 ! RIV] TO BR+ !M BACK TO !IR S5SES4 ,:5 WE W]E AFLOAT1 ,I HAD TO TEA* !M EV]Y?+ ?AT WAS TO BE DONE4 ,/ILL1 ?+S W5T PRETTY WELL DUR+ ! DAY2 ! B>GES1 C>RI$ ALONG BY A SWIFT CURR5T1 FLOAT$ D[N ! RIV]1 & MY CREW1 9EXP]I5C$ ?\< !Y W]E1 HAD NO 9T]E/ 9 ?R[+ !IR VESSELS UPON ! %ORE3 ?AT W\LD HAVE REQUIR$ SPECIAL EX]TION4 ,BUT :5 DUSK CAME1 & IT WAS TIME TO BR+ \R HUGE1 HEAVILY LAD5 B>GES TO ! %ORE & FA/5 !M = ! NI<T1 ONE ( !M1 :I* WAS F> AHEAD ( ! ONE ?AT C>RI$ ME1 WAS /OPP$ ONLY :5 IT WAS FA/ UPON A ROCK1 AT ! FOOT ( A TREM5D\SLY HI<1 9SURM\NTABLE CLIFF4 ,!RE IT /OOD IMMOVABLE1 :ILE ! LEVEL ( ! RIV]1 TEMPOR>ILY SWOLL5 BY RA9S1 WAS RAPIDLY GO+ D[N4 ,MY T5 M5 EVID5TLY C\LD NOT MOVE IT4 ,I R[$ D[N TO ! NEXT VILLAGE TO ASK ASSI/ANCE FROM ! ,COSSACKS1 & AT ! SAME TIME DISPAT*$ A MESS5G] TO A FRI5D1 A ,COSSACK (FIC] :O WAS /AY+ SOME TW5TY MILES AWAY1 & :O HAD HAD EXP]I5CE 9 SU* ?+S4 

,! MORN+ CAME2 A HUNDR$ ,COSSACKS M5 & WOM5 HAD COME TO MY AID1 BUT !RE WAS NO MEANS :ATEV] ( CONNECT+ ! B>GE ) ! %ORE1 9 ORD] TO UNLOAD IT1 SO DEEP WAS ! WAT] UND] ! CLIFF4 - ,&1 AS SOON AS WE ATTEMPT$ TO PU% IT (F ! ROCK1 ITS BOTTOM WAS BROK5 91 & ! WAT] FREELY 5T]$1 - SWEEP+ AWAY ! FL\R & SALT :I* =M$ ! C>GO4 ,TO MY GREAT HORROR ,I P]CEIV$ NUMB]S ( SMALL FI% 5T]+ ?R\< ! HOLE & SWIMM+ AB\T 9 ! B>GE1 & ,I /OOD !RE HELPLESS1 )\T KN[+ :AT TO DO NEXT4 ,!RE IS A V]Y SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE REM$Y = SU* EM]G5CIES4 ,A SACK ( FL\R IS =C$ 9TO ! HOLE1 TO ! %APE ( :I* IT SOON ADAPTS ITSELF1 :ILE ! \T] CRU/ ( PA/E :I* IS =M$ 9 ! SACK PREV5TS WAT] FROM P5ETRAT+ ?R\< ! FL\R2 BUT NONE ( US KNEW ?IS AT ! TIME4 

,HAPPILY = ME1 A FEW M9UTES LAT] A B>GE WAS SI<T$ COM+ D[N ! RIV] T[>DS US4 ,! APPE>ANCE ( ! SWAN :I* C>RI$ ,LOH5GR9 WAS NOT GREET$ ) MORE 5?USIASM BY ! DESPAIR+ ,ELSA ?AN ?AT CLUMSY VESSEL WAS GREET$ BY ME4 ,! HAZE :I* COV]$ ! BEAUTIFUL ,%ILKA AT ?AT E>LY H\R 9 ! MORN+ ADD$ EV5 MORE TO ! POETRY ( ! VISION4 ,IT WAS MY FRI5D1 ! ,COSSACK (FIC]1 :O HAD REALIZ$ BY MY DESCRIPTION ?AT NO HUMAN =CE C\LD DRAG MY B>GE (F ! ROCK1 - ?AT IT WAS LO/ - & WAS BR++ AN EMPTY B>GE :I* BY *ANCE WAS AT H&1 TO TAKE AWAY ! C>GO ( MY DOOM$ CRAFT4 

,N[ ! HOLE WAS /OPP$1 ! WAT] WAS PUMP$ \T1 ! C>GO WAS TRANSF]R$ TO ! NEW B>GE1 & NEXT MORN+ ,I C\LD CONT9UE MY J\RNEY4 ,?IS LITTLE EXP]I5CE WAS ( GREAT PR(IT TO ME1 & ,I SOON REA*$ MY DE/9ATION ON ! ,AMUR )\T FUR!R ADV5TURES WOR? M5TION+4 ,EV]Y NI<T WE F\ND SOME /RET* ( /EEP BUT RELATIVELY L[ %ORE :]E TO /OP ) ! B>GES1 & \R FIRES W]E SOON LI<T$ ON ! BANK ( ! SWIFT & CLE> RIV]1 AMID ! MO/ BEAUTIFUL M\NTA9 SC5]Y4 ,9 DAY-TIME1 ONE C\LD H>DLY IMAG9E A MORE PLEASANT J\RNEY ?AN ON BO>D A B>GE1 :I* FLOATS LEISURELY D[N1 )\T ANY ( ! NOISE ( ! /EAM]2 ONE OR TWO /ROKES BE+ OCCASIONALLY GIV5 ) ITS IMM5SE /]N SWEEP TO KEEP IT 9 ! MA9 - CURR5T4 ,= ! LOV] ( NATURE1 ! L[] P>T ( ! ,%ILKA & ! UPP] P>T ( ! ,AMUR1 :]E ONE SEES A MO/ BEAUTIFUL1 WIDE1 & SWIFT RIV] FL[+ AMID M\NTA9S RIS+ 9 /EEP1 WOOD$ CLIFFS A C\PLE ( ?\S& FEET ABOVE ! WAT]1 (F] SOME ( ! MO/ DELI<TFUL SC5ES 9 ! WORLD4 ,BUT !SE SAME CLIFFS MAKE COMMUNICATION ALONG ! %ORE ON HORSEBACK1 BY WAY ( A N>R[ TRAIL1 EXTREMELY DIFFICULT4 ,I LE>N$ ?IS ?AT V]Y AUTUMN AT MY [N EXP5SE4 ,9 ,EA/ ,SIB]IA ! SEV5 LA/ /ATIONS ALONG ! ,%ILKA 7AB\T #ab MILES7 W]E KN[N AS ! ,SEV5 ,MORTAL ,S9S4 ,?IS /RET* ( ! ,TRANS-,SIB]IAN RAILWAY- IF IT IS EV] BUILT - WILL CO/ UNIMAG9ABLE SUMS ( MONEY2 MU* MORE ?AN ! /RET* ( ! ,CANADIAN ,PACIFIC L9E 9 ! ,ROCKY ,M\NTA9S1 9 ! CANON ( ! ,FRAS] ,RIV]1 HAS CO/4 

,AFT] ,I HAD DELIV]$ MY B>GES1 ,I MADE AB\T A ?\S& MILES D[N ! ,AMUR 9 ONE ( ! PO/ BOATS :I* >E US$ ON ! RIV]4 ,! /]N ( ! BOAT WAS COV]$ 91 & 9 ! B[ WAS A BOX FILL$ ) E>? UPON :I* A FIRE WAS KEPT TO COOK ! FOOD4 ,MY CREW CONSI/$ ( ?REE M54 ,WE HAD TO MAKE HA/E1 & !RE=E US$ TO R[ 9 TURNS ALL DAY LONG1 :ILE AT NI<T ! BOAT WAS LEFT TO FLOAT ) ! CURR5T1 & ,I KEPT ! WAT* = ?REE OR F\R H\RS TO MA9TA9 ! BOAT 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! RIV]1 & TO PREV5T IT FROM BE+ DRAWN 9TO SOME SIDE *ANNEL4 ,!SE WAT*ES - ! FULL MOON %9+ ABOVE & ! D>K HILLS REFLECT$ 9 ! RIV] - W]E BEAUTIFUL BEYOND DESCRIPTION4 ,MY R[]S W]E TAK5 FROM ! A=EM5TION$ SONS2 !Y W]E ?REE TRAMPS1 :O HAD ! REPUTATION ( BE+ 9CORRIGIBLE ?IEVES & ROBB]S1 - & ,I C>RI$ ) ME A HEAVY SACK FULL ( BANKNOTES1 SILV]1 & COPP]4 ,9 ,WE/]N ,EUROPE SU* A J\RNEY1 ON A LONELY RIV]1 W\LD HAVE BE5 CONSID]$ RISKY2 NOT SO 9 ,EA/ ,SIB]IA4 ,I MADE IT )\T EV5 HAV+ SO MU* AS AN OLD PI/OL1 & ,I F\ND MY ?REE TRAMPS EXCELL5T COMPANY4 ,ONLY1 AS WE APPROA*$ ,BLAGOVES*5SK1 !Y BECAME RE/LESS4 0,KHAN%9A0 7! ,*9ESE BR&Y7 0IS *EAP !RE10 !Y REASON$1 ) DEEP SI<S4 0,WE >E SURE TO GET 9TO TR\BLE6 ,IT'S *EAP1 & IT KNOCKS Y\ OV] 9 NO TIME1 FROM WANT ( BE+ US$ TO IT60 ,I (F]$ TO LEAVE ! MONEY :I* WAS DUE TO !M ) A FRI5D :O W\LD SEE !M (F ) ! FIR/ /EAM]4 0,?AT W\LD NOT HELP US10 !Y REPLI$ M\RNFULLY4 0,SOMEBODY WILL (F] A GLASS1 - IT'S *EAP1 & A GLASS KNOCKS Y\ OV]60 !Y P]SI/$ 9 SAY+4 ,!Y W]E REALLY P]PLEX$1 & :51 A FEW MON?S LAT]1 ,I RETURN$ ?R\< ! T[N1 ,I LE>N$ ?AT ONE ( 0MY SONS10 AS PEOPLE CALL$ !M 9 T[N1 HAD REALLY GOT 9TO TR\BLE4 ,:5 HE HAD SOLD ! LA/ PAIR ( BOOTS TO GET ! POISON\S DR9K1 HE HAD COMMITT$ SOME !FT & HAD BE5 LOCK$ UP4 ,MY FRI5D F9ALLY OBTA9$ HIS RELEASE & %IPP$ HIM BACK4 

,ONLY ?OSE :O HAVE SE5 ! ,AMUR1 OR KN[ ! ,MISSISSIPPI OR ! ,YANG-TZE-KIANG1 CAN IMAG9E :AT AN IMM5SE RIV] ! ,AMUR BECOMES AFT] IT HAS JO9$ ! ,SUNG>I1 & CAN REALIZE :AT TREM5D\S WAVES ROLL OV] ITS B$ IF ! WEA!R IS /ORMY4 ,:5 ! RA9Y SEASON1 DUE TO ! MONSOONS1 COMES 9 ,JULY1 ! ,SUNG>I1 ! ,USURI1 & ! ,AMUR >E SWOLL5 BY UNIMAG9ABLE QUANTITIES ( WAT]2 ?\S&S ( L[ ISL&S USUALLY COV]$ ) WILL[ ?ICKETS >E 9UNDAT$ OR WA%$ AWAY1 & ! WID? ( ! RIV] ATTA9S 9 PLACES TWO1 ?REE1 & EV5 FIVE MILES2 WAT] RU%ES 9TO ! SIDE *ANNELS & ! LAKES :I* SPREAD 9 ! L[ L&S ALONG ! MA9 *ANNEL2 & :5 A FRE% W9D BL[S FROM AN EA/]LY QU>T]1 AGA9/ ! CURR5T1 TREM5D\S WAVES1 EV5 HI<] ?AN ?OSE :I* ONE SEES 9 ! E/U>Y ( ! ,/4 ,LAWR5CE1 ROLL UP BO? ! MA9 RIV] & ! SIDE *ANNELS4 ,/ILL WORSE IS IT :5 A TYPHOON BL[S FROM ! ,*9ESE ,SEA & SPREADS OV] ! ,AMUR REGION4 

,WE EXP]I5C$ SU* A TYPHOON4 ,I WAS !N ON BO>D A L>GE DECK$ BOAT1 ) ,MAJOR ,M>OVSKY1 :OM ,I JO9$ AT ,BLAGOVES*5SK4 ,HE HAD RIGG$ HIS BOAT SO ?AT %E W\LD SAIL CLOSE TO ! W9D1 & :5 ! /ORM BEGAN WE MANAG$ TO BR+ \R BOAT TO ! %ELT]$ SIDE ( ! RIV]1 & TO F9D REFUGE 9 A SMALL TRIBUT>Y4 ,!RE WE /AY$ = TWO DAYS1 :ILE ! /ORM RAG$ ) SU* FURY ?AT1 :5 ,I V5TUR$ = A FEW HUNDR$ Y>DS 9TO ! SURR\ND+ =E/1 ,I HAD TO RETREAT ON ACC\NT ( ! NUMB] ( IMM5SE TREES :I* ! W9D WAS BL[+ D[N >\ND ME4 ,WE BEGAN TO FEEL V]Y UNEASY = \R B>GES4 ,IT WAS EVID5T ?AT IF !Y HAD BE5 AFLOAT ?AT MORN+1 !Y NEV] W\LD HAVE BE5 ABLE TO REA* ! %ELT]$ SIDE ( ! RIV]1 BUT MU/ HAVE BE5 DRIV5 BY ! /ORM TO ! BANK EXPOS$ TO ! FULL RAGE ( ! W9D1 & !RE DE/ROY$4 ,A DISA/] WAS ALMO/ C]TA94 

,WE SAIL$ \T AS SOON AS ! FURY ( ! /ORM HAD ABAT$4 ,WE KNEW ?AT WE \<T SOON TO OV]TAKE TWO DETA*M5TS ( B>GES2 BUT WE SAIL$ ONE DAY1 TWO DAYS1 & F\ND NO TRACE ( !M4 ,MY FRI5D ,M>OVSKY LO/ BO? SLEEP & APPETITE1 & LOOK$ AS IF HE HAD JU/ HAD A S]I\S ILLNESS4 ,HE SAT :OLE DAYS ON ! DECK1 MOTIONLESS1 MURMUR+ 3 0,ALL IS LO/1 ALL IS LO/40 ,! VILLAGES >E FEW & F> BETWE5 ON ?IS P>T ( ! ,AMUR1 & NOBODY C\LD GIVE US ANY 9=MATION4 ,A NEW /ORM CAME ON1 & F9ALLY1 REA*+ A VILLAGE AT DAYBREAK1 WE LE>N$ ?AT NO B>GES HAD PASS$1 BUT ?AT QUANTITIES ( WRECKAGE HAD BE5 SE5 FLOAT+ D[N ! RIV] DUR+ ! PREVI\S DAY4 ,I WAS EVID5T ?AT AT LEA/ =TY B>GES1 :I* C>RI$ A C>GO ( AB\T TWO ?\S& TONS1 MU/ HAVE BE5 LO/4 ,IT MEANT A C]TA9 FAM9E NEXT SPR+ ON ! L[] ,AMUR IF NO SUPPLIES W]E BR\<T 9 TIME1 = IT WAS LATE 9 ! SEASON1 NAVIGATION W\LD SOON COME TO A CLOSE1 & !RE WAS !N NO TELEGRAPH ALONG ! RIV]4 

,WE HELD A C\NCIL1 & DECID$ ?AT ,M>OVSKY %\LD SAIL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO ! M\? ( ! ,AMUR4 ,SOME PUR*ASES ( GRA9 MI<T P]HAPS BE MADE 9 ,JAPAN BE=E ! CLOSE ( NAVIGATION4 ,MEAN:ILE ,I WAS TO GO ) ALL POSSIBLE SPE$ UP ! RIV]1 TO DET]M9E ! LOSSES1 & DO MY BE/ TO COV] ! TWO ?\S& MILES UP ! ,AMUR & ! ,%ILKA1 9 BOATS1 ON HORSEBACK1 OR ON BO>D /EAM] IF ,I MET ONE4 ,! SOON] ,I C\LD W>N ! ,*ITA AU?ORITIES1 & DISPAT* ANY AM\NT ( PROVISIONS AVAILABLE1 ! BETT] IT W\LD BE4 ,P]HAPS P>T ( !M W\LD ?IS SAME AUTUMN REA* ! UPP] ,AMUR :5CE IT W\LD BE EASI] TO %IP !M 9 ! E>LY SPR+ TO ! L[ L&S4 ,IF ONLY A FEW WEEKS OR EV5 DAYS C\LD BE SAV$1 IT MI<T MAKE AN IMM5SE DIFF]5CE 9 CASE ( A FAM9E4 

,I BEGAN MY TWO ?\S& MILES J\RNEY 9 A R[-BOAT1 *ANG+ R[]S AT EA* VILLAGE1 EV]Y TW5TY MILES OR SO4 ,IT WAS V]Y SL[ PROGRESS1 BUT !RE MI<T BE NO /EAM] COM+ UP ! RIV] = A =TNI<T1 & 9 ! MEANTIME ,I C\LD REA* ! PLACES :]E ! B>GES W]E WRECK$1 & SEE IF ANY ( ! PROVISIONS HAD BE5 SAV$4 ,!N1 AT ! M\? ( ! ,USURI 7,KHAB>OVSK7 ,I MI<T SECURE A /EAM]4 ,! BOATS :I* ,I F\ND AT ! VILLAGES W]E MIS]ABLE1 & ! WEA!R WAS V]Y /ORMY4 ,WE KEPT ALONG ! %ORE1 ( C\RSE1 BUT WE HAD TO CROSS SOME BRAN*ES ( ! ,AMUR1 ( CONSID]ABLE WID?1 & ! WAVES DRIV5 BY ! HI< W9D CONT9UALLY ?REAT5$ TO SWAMP \R LITTLE CRAFT4 ,ONE DAY WE HAD TO CROSS A BRAN* ( ! RIV] NE>LY HALF A MILE WIDE4 ,*OPPY WAVES ROSE LIKE M\NTA9S AS !Y ROLL$ UP ?AT BRAN*4 ,MY R[]S1 TWO PEASANTS1 W]E SEIZ$ ) T]ROR2 !IR FACES W]E :ITE AS PAP]2 !IR BLUE LIPS TREMBL$2 !Y MURMUR$ PRAY]S4 ,BUT A BOY ( FIFTE51 :O HELD ! RUDD]1 CALMLY KEPT A WAT*FUL EYE UPON ! WAVES4 ,HE GLID$ BETWE5 !M AS !Y SEEM$ TO S9K >\ND US = A MOM5T1 BUT :5 HE SAW !M RIS+ TO A M5AC+ HEI<T 9 FRONT ( US1 HE GAVE A SLI<T TURN TO ! BOAT & /EADI$ IT ACROSS ! WAVES4 ,! BOAT %IPP$ WAT] FROM EA* WAVE1 & ,I BAIL$ IT \T ) AN OLD LADLE1 NOT+ AT TIMES ?AT IT ACCUMULAT$ MORE RAPIDLY ?AN ,I C\LD ?R[ IT \T4 ,!RE WAS A MOM5T1 :5 ! BOAT %IPP$ TWO SU* BIG WAVES1 ?AT AT A SIGN FROM ONE ( ! TREMBL+ R[]S ,I UNFA/5$ ! HEAVY SACK1 FULL ( COPP] & SILV]1 ?AT ,I C>RI$ ACROSS MY %\LD]4 4 4,= SEV]AL DAYS 9 SUCCESSION WE HAD SU* CROSS+S4 ,I NEV] =C$ ! M5 TO CROSS1 BUT !Y !MSELVES1 KN[+ :Y ,I HAD TO HURRY1 W\LD DECIDE AT A GIV5 MOM5T ?AT AN ATTEMPT MU/ BE MADE4 0,!RE >E NOT SEV5 DEA?S 9 ONE'S LIFE1 & ONE CANNOT BE AVOID$10 !Y W\LD SAY1 &1 SIGN+ !MSELVES ) ! CROSS1 !Y W\LD SEIZE ! O>S & PULL OV]4 

,I SOON REA*$ ! PLACE :]E ! MA9 DE/RUCTION ( \R B>GES HAD TAK5 PLACE4 ,=TY-F\R ( !M HAD BE5 WRECK$ BY ! /ORM4 ,UNLOAD+ HAD BE5 IMPOSSIBLE1 & V]Y LITTLE ( ! C>GO HAD BE5 SAV$4 ,TWO ?\S& TONS ( FL\R HAD BE5 DE/ROY$4 ,) ?IS NEWS ,I CONT9U$ MY J\RNEY4 

,A FEW DAYS LAT]1 A /EAM] SL[LY CREEP+ UP ! RIV] OV]TOOK ME1 & :5 ,I BO>D$ H]1 ! PASS5G]S TOLD ME ?AT ! CAPTA9 HAD DRUNK HIMSELF 9TO A DELIRIUM & JUMP$ OV]BO>D4 ,HE WAS SAV$1 H[EV]1 & WAS N[ LY+ ILL 9 HIS CAB94 ,!Y ASK$ ME TO TAKE COMM& ( ! /EAM]1 & ,I HAD TO CONS5T2 BUT SOON ,I F\ND TO MY GREAT A/ONI%M5T ?AT EV]Y?+ W5T ON BY ITSELF 9 SU* AN EXCELL5T R\T9E WAY ?AT1 ?\< ,I P>AD$ ALL DAY ON ! BRIDGE1 ,I HAD ALMO/ NO?+ TO DO4 ,AP>T FROM A FEW M9UTES ( REAL RESPONSIBILITY1 :5 ! /EAM] HAD TO BE BR\<T TO ! L&+-PLACES1 :]E WE TOOK WOOD = FUEL1 & SAY+ A WORD OR TWO N[ & !N TO 5C\RAGE ! /OK]S TO />T AS SOON AS ! DAWN P]MITT$ US FA9TLY TO DI/+UI% ! \TL9ES ( ! %ORES1 MATT]S TOOK C>E ( !MSELVES4 ,A PILOT :O W\LD HAVE BE5 ABLE TO 9T]PRET ! MAP W\LD HAVE MANAG$ AS WELL4 

,TRAVEL+ BY /EAM] & A GREAT DEAL ON HORSEBACK1 ,I REA*$ AT LA/ ,TRANSBAIKALIA ,! IDEA ( A FAM9E ?AT MI<T BREAK \T NEXT SPR+ ON ! L[] ,AMUR OPPRESS$ ME ALL ! TIME4 ,I F\ND ?AT ON ! ,%ILKA ! SMALL /EAM] DID NOT PROGRESS UP ! SWIFT RIV] RAPIDLY 5\<2 - SO ,I AB&ON$ IT & RODE ) A ,COSSACK A C\PLE ( HUNDR$ MILES UP ! ,>GUN1 ALONG ONE ( ! WILDE/ M\NTA9 TRACKS 9 ,SIB]IA1 NEV] /OPP+ TO LI<T \R CAMP-FIRE UNTIL MIDNI<T HAD OV]TAK5 US 9 ! WOODS4 ,EV5 ! T5 OR TW5TY H\RS ?AT ,I MI<T GA9 BY ?IS EX]TION W]E NOT TO BE DESPIS$1 = EV]Y DAY BR\<T NE>] ! CLOSE ( NAVIGATION2 ICE WAS ALREADY =M+ ON ! RIV] AT NI<T4 ,AT LA/ ,I - S5T ! ,GOV]NOR ( ,TRANSBAIKALIA & MY FRI5D ,COLONEL ,FADA%5KO ON ! ,%ILKA1 AT ! CONVICT SETTLEM5T ( ,K>A1 & ! LATT] TOOK 9 H& ! C>E ( %IPP+ IMM$IATELY ALL AVAILABLE PROVISIONS4 ,AS = ME1 ,I LEFT IMM$IATELY TO REPORT ALL AB\T ! MATT] AT ,IRKUTSK4 

,PEOPLE AT ,IRKUTSK WOND]$ ?AT ,I HAD MANAG$ TO MAKE ?IS LONG J\RNEY SO RAPIDLY2 BUT ,I WAS QUITE WORN \T4 ,H[EV]1 ,I RECUP]AT$ BY SLEEP+1 = A WEEK'S TIME1 SU* A NUMB] ( H\RS EV]Y DAY ?AT ,I %\LD BE A%AM$ TO M5TION IT N[4 0,HAVE Y\ TAK5 5\< RE/- ! GOV]NOR-G5]AL ASK$ ME1 A WEEK OR SO AFT] MY >RIVAL4 0,C\LD Y\ />T TO-MORR[ = ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 AS A C\RI]1 TO REPORT !RE Y\RSELF UPON ! LOSS ( ! B>GES80 

,IT MEANT TO COV] 9 TW5TY DAYS - NOT ONE DAY MORE -ANO!R DI/ANCE ( #cb MILES BETWE5 ,IRKUTSK & ,NIJNI ,NOVGOROD1 :]E ,I C\LD TAKE ! RAILWAY TO ,/4 ,PET]SBURG2 TO GALLOP DAY & NI<T 9 PO/ C>TS1 :I* HAD TO BE *ANG$ AT EV]Y /ATION1 BECAUSE NO C>RIAGE W\LD /& SU* A J\RNEY FULL SPE$ OV] ! FROZ5 ROADS4 ,BUT TO SEE MY BRO!R ,ALEX&] WAS TOO GREAT AN ATTRACTION = ME NOT TO ACCEPT ! (F]1 & ,I />T$ ! NEXT NI<T4 ,:5 ,I REA*$ ! L[ L&S ( ,WE/ ,SIB]IA & ! ,URALS1 ! J\RNEY REALLY BECAME A TORTURE4 ,!RE W]E DAYS :5 ! :EELS ( ! C>TS W\LD BE BROK5 9 ! FROZ5 RUTS AT EV]Y SUCCESSIVE /ATION4 ,! RIV]S W]E FREEZ+1 & ,I HAD TO CROSS ! ,OB 9 A BOAT AMID FLOAT+ ICE1 :I* ?REAT5$ AT EV]Y MOM5T TO CRU% \R SMALL CRAFT4 ,:5 ,I REA*$ ! ,TOM ,RIV]1 ON :I* ! FLOAT+ ICE HAD JU/ FROZ5 TOGE!R DUR+ ! PREC$+ NI<T1 ! PEASANTS REFUS$ = SOME TIME TO TAKE ME OV]1 ASK+ ME TO GIVE !M 0A RECEIPT40 

0,:AT SORT ( RECEIPT DO Y\ WANT80 

0,WELL1 Y\ WRITE ON A PAP]3 ',I1 ! UND]SIGN$1 H]EBY TE/IFY ?AT ,I WAS DR[N$ BY ! WILL ( ,GOD1 & ?R\< NO FAULT ( ! PEASANTS1' & Y\ GIVE US ?AT PAP]40 

0,) PLEASURE - ON ! O!R %ORE40 

,AT LA/ !Y TOOK ME OV]4 ,A BOY - A BRAVE1 BRI<T BOY :OM ,I HAD SELECT$ 9 ! CR[D - HEAD$ ! PROCESSION1 TE/+ ! /R5G? ( ! ICE ) A POLE2 ,I FOLL[$ HIM1 C>RY+ MY DISPAT* BOX ON MY %\LD]S1 & WE TWO W]E ATTA*$ TO LONG L9ES1 :I* FIVE PEASANTS HELD1 FOLL[+ US AT A DI/ANCE1 - ONE ( !M C>RY+ A BUNDLE ( /RAW1 TO BE ?R[N ON ! ICE :]E IT DID NOT SEEM /RONG 5\<4 

,F9ALLY ,I REA*$ ,MOSC[1 :]E MY BRO!R MET ME AT ! /ATION1 & !NCE WE PROCE$$ AT ONCE TO ,/4 ,PET]SBURG4 

,Y\? IS A GR& ?+4 ,AFT] SU* A J\RNEY1 :I* LA/$ TW5TY-F\R DAYS & NI<TS1 >RIV+ E>LY 9 ! MORN+ AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 ,I W5T ! SAME DAY TO DELIV] MY DISPAT*ES1 & DID NOT FAIL ALSO TO CALL UPON AN AUNT1 OR RA!R UPON A C\S9 ( M9E4 ,%E WAS RADIANT4 0,WE HAVE A DANC+3 P>TY TO-NI<T4 ,WILL Y\ COME80 %E SAID4 ,( C\RSE ,I W\LD6 ,& NOT ONLY COME1 BUT DANCE UNTIL AN E>LY H\R ( ! MORN+4 

,:5 ,I REA*$ ,/4 ,PET]SBURG & SAW ! AU?ORITIES1 ,I UND]/OOD :Y ,I BAD BE5 S5T TO MAKE ! REPORT4 ,NOBODY W\LD BELIEVE ! POSSIBILITY ( SU* A DE/RUCTION ( ! B>GES4 0,HAVE Y\ BE5 ON ! SPOT 80 0,DID Y\ SEE ! DE/RUCTION ) Y\R [N EYES 80 0,>E Y\ P]FECTLY SURE ?AT '!Y' HAVE NOT SIMPLY /OL5 ! PROVISIONS1 & %[N Y\ ! WRECK ( SOME B>GES80 ,SU* W]E ! QUE/IONS ,I HAD TO ANSW]4 

,! HI< FUNCTION>IES :O /OOD AT ! HEAD ( ,SIB]IAN AFFAIRS AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG W]E SIMPLY *>M+ 9 !IR 9NOC5T IGNORANCE ( ,SIB]IA4 0,MAIS1 MON *]10 ONE ( !M SAID TO ME1 - HE ALWAYS SPOKE ,FR5*1 - 0H[ IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT =TY B>GES %\LD BE DE/ROY$ ON ! ,NEVA )\T ANY ONE RU%+ TO SAVE !M 80 0,! ,NEVA60 ,I EXCLAIM$1 0PUT ?REE - F\R ,NEVA'S SIDE BY SIDE & Y\ WILL HAVE ! L[] ,AMUR60 

0,IS IT REALLY AS BIG AS ?AT80 ,& TWO M9UTES LAT] HE WAS *ATT+1 9 EXCELL5T ,FR5*1 AB\T ALL SORTS ( ?+S4 0,:5 DID Y\ LA/ SEE ,S*W>TZ1 ! PA9T]8 ,IS NOT HIS ',IVAN ! ,T]RIBLE' A WOND]FUL PICTURE8 ,DO Y\ KN[ :Y !Y W]E GO+ TO >RE/ ,KUKEL80 & HE TOLD ME ALL AB\T A LETT] ?AT HAD BE5 ADDRESS$ TO HIM1 ASK+ HIS SUPPORT = ! ,POLI% 9SURRECTION4 0,DO Y\ KN[ ?AT ,*]NY%EVSKY HAS BE5 >RE/$8 ,HE IS N[ 9 ! =TRESS40 

0,:AT =8 ,:AT HAS HE DONE80 ,I ASK$4 

0,NO?+ 9 P>TICUL>1 NO?+6 ,BUT1 MON *]1 Y\ KN[1 - ,/ATE CONSID]ATIONS6 4 4 4 ,SU* A CLEV] MAN1 AWFULLY CLEV]6 ,& SU* AN 9FLU5CE HE HAS UPON ! Y\?4 ,Y\ UND]/& ?AT A GOV]NM5T CANNOT TOL]ATE ?AT3 ?AT 'S IMPOSSIBLE6 9TOL]ABLE1 MON *]1 DANS UN ,ETAT BI5 ORDONNE60 

,C\NT ,IGNATIEFF ASK$ NO SU* QUE/IONS3 HE KNEW ! ,AMUR V]Y WELL1 - & HE KNEW ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 TOO4 ,AMID ALL SORTS ( JOKES & WITTY REM>KS AB\T ,SIB]IA1 :I* HE MADE ) AN A/\ND+ VIVACITY1 HE SAID TO ME1 0,IT IS A V]Y LUCKY ?+ ?AT Y\ W]E !RE ON ! SPOT & SAW ! WRECKS4 ,& '!Y' W]E CLEV] TO S5D Y\ ) ! REPORT4 ,WELL DONE6 ,AT FIR/ NOBODY WANT$ TO BELIEVE AB\T ! B>GES4 ',SOME NEW SW9DL+1' IT WAS ?\<T4 ,BUT N[ PEOPLE SAY ?AT Y\ W]E WELL KN[N AS A PAGE1 & Y\ HAVE ONLY BE5 A FEW MON?S 9 ,SIB]IA2 SO Y\ W\LD NOT %ELT] ! PEOPLE !RE1 IF IT W]E SW9DL+2 !Y TRU/ 9 Y\40 

,! ,M9I/] ( ,W>1 ,DMITRI ,MILUT91 WAS ! ONLY MAN HI< 9 ! ADM9I/RATION AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG :O TOOK ! MATT] S]I\SLY4 ,HE ASK$ ME MANY QUE/IONS3 ALL TO ! PO9T4 ,HE MA/]$ ! SUBJECT AT ONCE1 & ALL \R CONV]SATION W5T ON 9 %ORT S5T5CES1 )\T HURRY1 BUT )\T ANY WA/E ( WORDS4 0,! COA/ SETTLEM5TS TO BE SUPPLI$ FROM ! SEA1 Y\ MEAN8 ,! REMA9D] ONLY FROM ,*ITA8 ,QUITE RI<T4 ,BUT IF A /ORM HAPP5S NEXT YE>1 - WILL !RE BE ! SAME DE/RUCTION ONCE MORE80 0,NO1 IF !RE >E TWO SMALL TUGS TO CONVOY ! B>GES40 0,WILL IT DO80 0,YES2 ) ONE TUG ! LOSS W\LD NOT HAVE BE5 HALF SO HEAVY40 0,V]Y PROBABLY4 ,WRITE TO ME1 PLEASE2 /ATE ALL Y\ HAVE SAID2 QUITE PLA9LY - NO =MALITIES40 

7,S\RCE3 ,MEMOIRS ( A ,REVOLUTIONI/1 ,FIR/ ,$ITION1 ,H\<TON ,MIFFL9 ,COMPANY1 ,BO/ON & ,NEW ,YORK1 #a#h#i#i47 

,FROM 3 ,AN>*Y ,>*IVES4 

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