The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-24

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ant. Commander Do Long and his com.
panions. By George W. Melville,
Chief Engineer. o. 8. NJ, Il Tho title
Of book just pnblishsd. Although
the principal incidents Of the loss Of
The jeanette, the rescue Of the survivors
and the finding Of the bodies Of De-
Long and his boats crew, have been
repeatedly told, Mr.. Melville gives the
painful topic . frssh interest. Passing
over this ios.iourney and the strange
Siberian adventures, to which Mr.. Mel
vile gives an Unexpectedly fresh inter
est. we copy an extract from one Of the
pleasant final chapters, describing the
reception Of Mr.. Melville BY the Car 81
Russia.
During the day ws hsd been waited
upon BY I'D aid, . colonel Of engineers,
who delivered invitations to myself and
two seameu Of the Jeanette and Lieut..
Berry, Of the Rodgers, TO bs presented
to their raajesties, the car and czarine
at Peterhof, an imperial summer palace
about sixteen miles out of the city. An
usher in civilian clothes next made his
appearance, and directed US how to pro-
coed. Our dress, If not uniform, should
be full evening dress, with white ties;
the carriages at st. Petersburg were to
be of our own providing; but special
car on the train leaving at II .. M,
would be placed at our disposal, and the
royal carriages would await us at Peter.
hof.
Promptly at the appointed time w
were at the depot, where our usher met
and conducted Us to tile proper railway
coach. Minister Hunt was to be pre-
sented at court the same day, but hs
was under q different escort. We were
soon whirled to Peterhof, and alighted
from the train in company with .
numerous party Of officers, diplomats
and court officials, all under separate
and appropriate guards. Here We were
shown into an open barouchs bearing
the imperial arms, and attended BY
coachmen in gold-laced liveries, with
cooked hats, cutaway coats and buff
waistcoats, and were driven to the royal
gardens and dormitories, where there
was series OF Withdrawing rooms with
small breakfast rooms attached. We
were first seated in one of these, and
presently an officer IN uniform followed
by on amanuensis entered, and politely
saluting us in English opened rum
ming conversation, which continued for
q few minutes, while the amanuensis
wrote upon large and separate sheets
of paper the name, rank and nativity of
each of our party. Both then with
drew.
The next formality was decidedly less
irksome. We we're conducted into the
breakfast room and RECALLED with q light
repast, which included tea, coffee, and
wine; cognac, pousse-cafe, and liqueurs,
cigarettes and cigars. In little while
another officer, in uniform and under
arms greeted us and requested that we
follow him. Entering carriage We
were driven to the audience chamber
and usherel into large anteroom
hung with portraits of the royal fam
lily, battle scenes. etc. Here there was
brilliant gathering of officers and
functionaries of high rank, generals,
admirals, ministers and diplomats all
in gorgeous uniform and glittering with
stars and decorations, humbly awaiting
their turn for brief chance at the I'M
perial ear. Our conductor proclaimed
TO the assemblsge who we were, and for
q moment every eye was riveted on us,
and some of the Russian officials came
forward and spoke to us. At the same
time our names were announced to the
Gear. Minister Hunt had preceded us,
and our attendant now said that we
would be received by the Gear in the
reception room, after which we would
be presented to the Czarina in an ante
room.
As soon, then, as Minister Hunt had
departed We were conducted to . door
opening into q passegeway which led
directly to the audience chamber. This
door was thrown open by an usher, who
called out our names and vanished. We
advanced q few PAGES two abreast, and
as we did SO Gear Alexander Ill, En-.
peror of all the Russias, crossed the room
with outstretched hands and greeted us,
saying in English:
Good morning, gentlemen. These
are Messrs. Melville and Berry; which
is Mr.. Melville?"
I set him right by Introducing the
others, and Lieutenant Berry perform.
ed the same service for me.
"Preferez vous parler en- Francois on
en- Anglais, MONSIEUR" the Gear in
quired.
I assured him that English being my
native tongue I preferred to speak it.
At this juncture the Czarina approach
ed and graciously greeted us, appearing
quite SOLICITORS about our health, and
asking many questions in regard to our
suferings. She carefully and with
kindly show of interest examined my
hands and fingers, which still bore the
marks of their old sores.
We then began q cross-fire of CONVEX
sation, each of the royal pair converting
at times with one or another of our par.
ty. Finally the car expressed his regret
that any of us should have come to grief
on his territory, however remote; and
II trust" said he, "that it was the rig
or of our climate alone, and not the
GOODNESS of heart Of any of my people,
which caused the death of your com.
rades."
The czarine commeded our fortitude
and courage, which, she said were pc
culiarities of the American character.
"But I hope, she remarked, "that you
will not again attempt fortune in the
frozen north"
Speaking of our own land, she OBJ
served, with gentle sorrow in her
tone, Il had hoped in my youth to Wis.
it America, but now, I fear, it can new
er be-"
There coming lull at length in our
talk, We shook hands second time,
and with mutual farewells and my hon.
est wish that the imperial couple might
be blessed with future peace and happi-
q