Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28

intention to start upon a difficult Journey
In the interest of science, provided him not
only with letters of recommendation, out
with all the comforts procurable in land
where the word comfort was the stock in
trade of the local satirist But Langs-
dorff although punctiliously acknowledging
the favors, never quite forgave the indif-
ference Of a mere AMBASSADOR and cham
berlain, rejoicing in the dignity Of an
honorary membership in the st. Petersburg
Academy Of Sciences, to the supreme d.
vision of natural history.
The first stage Of the journey-from Ok
hotSk to Yakutsk-was about six hundred
and fifty English miles, not as the crow
few, but over the Stanovoi mountains in
q southwesterly direction to the Maya
river. along the latter's wavering course
to the Youdoma. then northward to the
Adan. and south along the Lena. The
beaten track lay entirely alongside the
rivers at this season, upon their surface
in winter; and besides these great streams
map. but as erratic in course and as ire
sistible in energy after the first rains OF
autumn.
Capt DWolf had proved himself capable
had been in Okhotsk a week; twenty for
immediate use, twenty for relief, or sub
stitutes in almost certain emergency. AS
there were but one or two stations or any
Importance between Okhotsk and Yakutsk,
and as a week might pass without the
shelter of SO much as a hut, 1t was neces-
sary to take tents and bearskin beds for
the Chamberlain. his Cossack guard, valet
set of fine blankets and linen cooking
utensils, axes. arms, tinder-boxes, provi-
sions for the entire trip, besides a great
quality of personal luggage.
Rezanov lost no time. He had changed
his original plan and dispatched Davidov
on the Avos from Oonalaska. Guns and
provisions awaited the Juno at Okhotsk,
and in less than week after his arrival
~
journey with mind at rest. Although the
almost extravagant delight that his body
had taken In the comforts of his manager s
home, after ten weeks on the Juno, warned
him that he might be in a better condition
to start on journey Of 10000 versts, he
hearkened neither to the hint nor to the In
sistence of his host. His impatient energy
and stern will, combined with the passion
ate wish to accomplish the double object OF
his journey, returning in the least possible
time to California with his treaty and the
consent Of the Pope and king to his mar
rage, would have carried him out of Ok
hotsk In forty-eight hours had disease de-
clared itself. Nor were there any induce
ments, aside from comfortable bed and
refined fare, in the fiat unhealthy town.
with its everlasting rattle of chains, and
the hideous physognomies of criminals al
ways at work to the rumbling accompani-
ment of Cossack oaths.
For the first week the exercise he loved
best and the long days-in the crisp open
dlT reviewed. MS ViSOT, ana ne even looked
forward to the four months Of what was
then the severest travelling in the world,
in a boyish spirit of adventure. He re-
dected that he might as well give his brain
a relief from the constant revolving of
schemes and plans for the advancement of
his country, his company, and himself, and
let his thoughts have their carnival of an
ticipation with the unparalleled happiness
and success that awaited him in the future
There was no possible doubt of the ac-
quiescence and assistance of the car, and