Gilpin observer., 1910-03-17

the stern, was passed through pulley
at the top of the mast and the other
end attached to shaggy horse. The
generals baggage was piled into one
of these dugouts and he seated him
self comfortably in the midst. A muz-
hik with a paddle occupied the stern.
another mounted the horse and they
rode of, the animal scrambling over
the stones by the shore or splashing
through the shallow water, while the
man with the paddle kept the boat
clear of the bank. This is the ancient
mode of ascending Russian rivers, the
method of "loshat and lotka," and two
military stations, or about 80 miles,
can thus be made in day under
favorable circumstances, by getting
under way at four o'clock in the morn
ing.
To Hardy's CONSERVATION the prin-
cess and her maid followed in sec
ond dugout. But there were two more
waiting on the bank, their owners
hoping that others of the passengers
would wish to avail themselves of
| their use.
Come on" cried Hardy to Smul-
ders. Lets follow them. 1t will be
lark"
"a lark? What's that?"
"A lark? Why, fun, sport"
But Smulders sighed and shook his
head. thinking of the fair Viennese.
"Ah, no." he said, 81 do not care if it
be an eagle. / cannot leave Chulia.
l loaf her too heavy"
Hardy lost no time. BY signs he
conveyed to one of the sailors that he
wished his luggage carried ashore and
piled into the dugout Soon he, too,
was seated in the bottom, reclining
gracefully against his impedimenta, his
horse scrambling along in the wake of
the princess lotka.
They made but one military station
the first day-a large square building,
where a samovar is kept always ready
for travellers and the sledges that car
ry the mails over the ice in winter.
To Hardy's delight the old general
and the princess were extremely cour-
teous to him and made him under
stand by signs that he was welcome.
The generals orderly foraged and pro-
duced some black bread, some milk
and a quantity of delicious fresh
caviar of the kind the Russians do not
export
The princess presided charmingly
at the samovar, after which she disap-
peared for the night. Hardy spread
mis- blankets on the floor and was soon
fast asleep. But he seemed no sooner
to have closed his eyes than he was
awakened again by the voice of the
general shouting at him in Russian.
1t was only three o'clock, but the
place was all a-bustle with prepara-
tions for departure. Ere the mists
had risen from the river they were
again under way, dim as ghosts.
Hardy reclined against his luggage
and slept deliciously until the sun
arose, when he was awakened by the
singing of a cloud of gnats. Sitting
upright, he noticed that the lotka of
the princess was deserted by its fair
passenger. Casting his eyes about, he
observed maid and mistress strolling
along the government road that fol-
lows the course of the Shilka and that
serves as a channel for the stream of
Cossacks that pours into Manchuria.
| The bank was high at this point and
the women We're above him. plainly
visible in the bright sun. The Ro-
manovna, twirling her Japanese para
sol on her shoulder, walked rapidly
and with a joyous freedom of motion
that testified to her love of the open
air.
! Il wonder if she plays golf" mused
| Hardy, and at that very moment he
perceived that he, too, was cramped,
sitting there in the boat He got out,
accordingly, and struck vigorously
across wide stretch of sand de-
posted during high water. He was
sopo Is minutes climbing the steep
bank, and when he at last reached the
road, the princess was nowhere to be
seen. Indeed. the road at this point
turned sharply away from the river
and disappeared around the foot of
hill. Hardy knew, however, that it
must wind back to the river, and he
therefore followed the wide dusty trail
confidently, although it seemed to
plunge into the heart of the wilder
ness. Once or twice he asked him
self why he was walking so rapidly,
and each time made answer: why,
to keep up with my lotka. of course"
He was too thorough gentleman to ad
init to himself that he was pursuing the
princess; he would not have done such
a thing on Beacon street; why should
he do it on government road in ST.
IBERIA? At any rate, it would be an
indiscreet thing to do, as she would
be sure to crush him for his pr rasump-
ton. But he certainly had just as
good right to get out and walk as
she. AS he was soliloquizing thus and
had about come to the conclusion that
he was in fair way at last of making
an ass of himself he thought he heard
a ShriQ scrna In tho dirtnx,1.1, i..4..,