The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01
BOATING ON THE AMUR.
CURIOUS SIGHTS FROM RUSSIAN
STEAMER IN EdSTERN SIBERIA,

From Blagoveat ohensk to the Chinese CITY
OF Aigouin by Wnter-Characteriatic. Of
the Men and Women-FAshion of tho
Latter Up to Date in Some Respects.
From the 81 LomS Globe Democrat
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Siberia. June 10 Two
companies run steamers in the summer between
Nicolaievsk, at the mouth Of the Amur and
Blagovestchensk, 1859 vcrsts touching at Kin.
barovk and other points AT Blagovestchensk
passengers for more distant places take smaller
steamers bound for Suetyinsk, practically the
head OF river navigation. The regular and o,.
casional steamers tow barges carrying latp,
cargoes, and the General MooravieiI, of the old
company, on which we were to travel was no
exception 10 the towing rule. We expected tn
leave Khabarovk the I'd OF June Our steamer
was late, and we did not get of until the 9Th
Failure to connect is inseparabe from frontier
travelling, and must be accepted az an inevitable
feature OF Siberian touring. Steamers for Blago-
vestchensk are supposed 10 leave Khnbaro,k
every Ave days in the season, and We were told
later this schedule is maintained In order 10
get as far as Stretyinsk by boat and so reduce
the land travelling, we had arranged TO start Ivy
one of the first boats Of the year. The Ammr
is the main artery Of eastern Siberia, and with
Its tributaries covers most Of the trading places
in large portion Of that region The liver 10
in the year from Nicolaievsk TO Blagovestcbensk,.
and for three months from Blagovestchensk,
The distances are: Nicolaievsk TO khabarovk
935 versts: Khabarovk TO Blagovestchensk, 9l8
versts: BlagovestChensk 10 Stretyinsk liz
versts. The vcrst is five ghths OF a mile
The Mooravietf is q side wheel steamer OF feet
draft 2l5 feet long, sharp forward bullying al
the paddle wheels, setting low in The water, and
accommodating eleven first class and twenty two
second sec class passengers. Her tow was barge
long md vin dc 10
freight Of which 504 900 pounds was black tea
brought 10 Nicolaicvsk by steamers from Hankow,
Al geo the Mooravef began whistiIng and,
at $40 after series Of Russian farcwells, men
school girls; women and girls tearfully embrao-
Ing, much shouting and laughing and good natur-
ed ios'ln ing. the steamer moved out into the ream
hint from our practical travelling companion,
We looked up our cabin This; at the foot Of shors
shaped with deep; wide, soft. spring cushion seats
along the outer side and broad end The como
point IT., had a. table and chair and small portfolio;
so close were We 10 the water. The single attempt
al decoration was bright Llue silk curtain over
room Tas paneled in polished oak, and the ceiling
given up panel, polish and curtain for dozen
strong hooks there were but two and looking
glass The Sibeans are certainly no, vain
combed and shaved on the say so Of each other
and small hand glass for week running For.
tunately, our travels have taken us where personal
appearance has not counted. and days beard or
an uneven side comb has not barred us from the
The majority Of Russian men are not as heavily
bearded as We imagined. Few are smooth faced,
but many Of them wear only mustaches Nature
has been kind as 10 locks, but the barbers art
keeps the fairly. wellgIoomed Russian close cut
to head and face, The common class woman
head, and the ladies went bareheaded Hats arc
worn only when absolutely necessary, and CON
Russian lady will e trim and modern in dress.
with head dsheveled TO the comical point Tho
head and feet of the women give themtthe least
havoc with loose strands, yet the women defy
dripping decks and muddy roads in the thinnes,
vanity. Men wear the heaviest of high boots
with the theTmometeI a. 30, and women put on
he latter are moi the hall shoe ' Of our Country.
but The old fashioned strap crossing, ribbon:
bowed slipper Harmony Of toilet and symmetry o!
Of the Cars domain. The shirt waist has wedged
in not the natty American waist This one has
many buttons and numerous frls making II often
feminine terror. There are some well dressed
sdes up 1S dae ~ GSs
The MoorayeiI ran from q. 80 to 10 p. NJ, start
ing day, and then anch red. The, night was
and navigation difticuli The next morning
was bright and warm, and we ran the day long
banks, with tall grass back to the mountains.
s hs Ts ss vRS sy brown 9Ha S ss .Ssnns
We reached the Cossnck village Of Mithayllow
Semenovskia, il is a memory OF soldiers, pea
SAINTS in long red, pink and green belted blouscs
women bareheaded or 'kerchiefcd and barcfooted,
tered along a high bank Early in the evening.
OF the next day, after passing through miles 81
forest, TIE steamer wooded at the village OF Akat-
crime Nicos. Though the bell In the onion:
topped church rang for prayer as we dropped
anchor, the peasant women, with butter. eggs.
bread, potatoes and wild flowers, fiocked TO iho
landing and silently awaited custom. Sunday
the banks Of the river ran low, villages on tho
Siberian side grew more numerous, and the south
ManChuraD side Of the river began 10 show
signs Of life. Monday the river narrowed and
ran between high hills. large and brilliant
yellow lily was noticeable flower along tho
waters edge. Al night the steamer wooded
time on the trip. About p. NJ the next day
we came Ia the Chinese city Of Aigouin. and for
over an hour ran along its front Our captain
said il was thought 10 have 100, 600 Inhabitants.
Low mud houses with matched roofs numbcrlcss
junks. on absurd mud fort with an outlying
fleet Of small boats high and dry on the beach,
equipped with muzzle loading cannon. caught
our attention, and about this time were driven
below by. n thunderstorm. An hour later we
were on deck again. To find the river glsssy and
the air freshened by its bath. The steamer ran
within 100 feet Of the low northern bank. and
every mile two the people. peacefully fishing
and blissfuly unconscious OF pending trouble.
find themselves waist deep in the swell Of tho
steamer; their baskets, bait and fish afioat, and
united boats drifting down the stream. AZ
o'clock the lights OF Blavogestchcnsk were sig htcd.
and half an hour later. Ave days and three hours
from Khabarovk, the Mooravief tied to her float