Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-18
CHAPTER XIV

SAue SW1ul plCGuIS VI .lhS, olduSAISA
and rapine, and the thousands trampl-
ed by horses, cut down by the sword
or driven to death in the turbid Amur
Illustrated In Hardy's mind, one phase
OF the advance of Russian civilization;
another and more pleasing phase was
symbolized by the large white gymnas-
ium OF Blagovestchensk the first build
Ing Of that progressive modern city
that could be seen from the decks of
the ;Alexsay.
Several hours were passed in Biago-
vestchensk, during which Hardy and
Smielders tore about in a droshky and
here 1t was that the former began
to get an idea Of that growth and COM
mercial activity Of which Emery had
spoken so enthusiastically; for Blago-
vestchensk has wide streets and de-
partment stores, is lighted by electric
ity,s and is rapidly growing, as was at
tested by the large number of new
buildings in process of erection.
The imperial mail steamer, on which
they embarked about dark, was a
much smaller boat than the Alexsay,
and Of lighter draft There were only
six first-class cabins, all forward, and
the poor Princess was Obliged to
squeeze into three of these, the gener-
al talking the other three. Hardy
managed to obtain an upper berth in
a ssecond-class cabin aft, but was soon
driven out of this, as the Russian be-
meath him smoked some filthy brand
Of cigarettes all night, lighting them
every five minutes with old fashioned
sulphur matches, the acrid fumes of
, which mingled with the smoke<e arose
inhstifiing clouds to his nostrils and
filled the entire cabin. The Russians,
much to Hardy's surprise, kept the
door and window tightly closed, and,
though he arose several times to open
one or the other, his fellow passengers
Immediately shut 1t again.
He arose at last, dressed and went
out on deck, taking his blankets with
him. The air was balmy and he soon
fell asleep, lulled by the breathing of
the engine and the whispering of the
waters. But he was not allowed to
enjoy his repose long, for about mid
night the passengers end the baggage
were changed over to another steamer
that drew trifle less water and was
unfortunately for the comfort of the
passengers, all save the Princess and
lty. This new steamer brought down
the disquieting rumor that the Amur
and the Shilka, which latter river for
med the waterway higher up, were
rapidly falling. 49,
All night they were engaged at, the
work by the aid Of bonfires, and Har
dy was obliged to seize his own trunks
and drag them across the decks and
help lower them into the small boat
By the glare of the primitive illumina-
ton he could see the Romanovna's
triumphant and isolated crossing-over
and could behold her standing on the
deck OF the new ship, leaning on the
generals arm, watching with amused
interest the grand scramble Of the less
fortunate rabble, to which he now be-
lUnged. He was even obliged to sling
great bundle upon his back and drop
1t Into the sl1iff, full aware that he
doomed as monstrous and clear lis
Achilles amid the flames Of burning
Troy, though py no means. so heroic.
Never in his life did he realize the
great gulf fixed between himself and
the Princess so keenly as at that
crucial moment There is nothing
romantic about mans soiled linen.
Here, too, they trok on detach-
ment of Bouriat cavalry in faded, dir
ty and dusty uniforms, returning from
some murderous ana unrecorded raid
into Manchuria. They seemed half
Chinese and half North American IN
dian, and they swarmed on every
available portion Of the deck, dispos-
ing themselves in compact rows, like
sardines in box
The ship was off again at dawn feel
ing its way cautiously. to avoid the
shallow places. There were six first
class cabins on this boat also, Hardy
learned, which were given over as q
matter of course, to the Princess and
tie general. Hardy. being plentifully
supplied with money through old
Emery's liberality, made an effort to.
obtain one of these, but his request,
preferred through Smulders to the
captain who spoke a little German,
was treated with polite surprise Cab
ms on steamers he learned, were OBJ
tanned in Russia like most other de-
sirabie things, through official influ.
ence.
Assshe continued her course for sew
B >udy IL Welo ASCSoSdly lOI sI1dIuy
and Smulders to preempt places on.
the deck for lying down, for the time
comes at last when a man must sleep,
and not being provided, like horse
with four legs, "one on each corner, ;"
he finds it necessary to measure his
length on something.
The spectacle afforded by the
steamer as seen, by the light of dawn
Swas most picturesque. The main body
.sof the passengers. without reference
to- wealth or social position, were
crowed together on an upper deck,
beneath an awning. There they seiz-
ed on places to lay tier blankets and
slept at night or sat about all day roll
Ing cigarettes. playing cards and
gossiping. 1t was a dappled conglomer.
ate scene, a medley of STANCE cos
tunes bright handkerchiefs tied
about feminine heads, long boots,
blouses, ribbons of Little Russia,
Tattars, Bouriats, Germans, French,
muzhiks, Jews and one American.
From the rafters of the awning hung
most extraordinary assortment of