JOHN LEDYARD. 317 



here, all of which would be at my service. The 

 difficulty of the journey I was aware of; but when I 

 assented to its impracticability it was a compliment, 

 for I do not believe it is so, nor hardly any thing 

 else." . 



During the delay which thus ensued in the pro- 

 gress of this intrepid traveller, a singular and mys- 

 terious reverse of fortune overtook him. Without 

 any previous notice or warning whatever, he was 

 suddenly arrested by the express order of the Em- 

 press of Russia, and was hurried back under the 

 guard of two soldiers, upon the interminable road 

 toward St. Petersburg. He was thus rapidly con- 

 veyed from post to post, through the vast realms 

 which he had but a short time before traversed 

 under the protection of the same autocrat who now 

 commanded his return. His guards conducted him 

 to the confines of Poland, set him free, and then 

 informed him that he might go where he pleased, 

 except that, if he ever again returned into the 

 dominions of the empress, he would certainly be 

 hanged. He thus speaks of this mysterious vicissi- 

 tude in his fate : 



"I had penetrated through Europe and Asia, 

 almost to the Pacific Ocean, but, in the midst of my 

 career, was arrested a prisoner to the Empress of 

 Russia, by an express sent after me for that purpose. 



27* 



