PETCHORA 223 



March 13. 



On Saturday, the 13th of March, we remained at M. 

 Vorakin's house all day and made full arrangements for 

 our sledge journey. 



We took a walk in the town, and saw innumerable 

 Jackdaws, Hooded Crows, and Tree Sparrows, and one or 

 two Eavens and Magpies. 



March 14. 



The morning of Sunday, the l-lth of March, was cloudy 

 and warm when we left Vologda, at 8.15 a.m. We have 

 a roomy sledge with hood, which belongs to a gentleman 

 in Archangel, and for the use of which we are charged 

 nothing. 



As a sledge journey — though it was new to us — soon 

 becomes monotonous, I can but give the itinerary of our 

 route from a list of the stations which is furnished to 

 travellers by the stationmaster. ' Paderojnaya ' are now 

 not required, the list answering every purpose. We got 

 all our luggage stowed away, but as our journey proceeded 

 we made various changes for the better. 



Leaving Vologda at 8.15 a.m., the thermometer being 

 at 16° Fahr., we sledged merrily along by the side of the 

 Volga, arriving at the first station at 10.15 a.m., and at 

 the second station at 1.30 p.m. The roads were bad, 

 and one of our three horses broke down and had to be 

 taken out of the sledge. The third stage was fast and 

 merry, and we finished it at 3 p.m. 



The fourth station was reached at 5.20 p.m. Hitherto 

 we have had three horses abreast, but here, owing to the 

 narrower road, two of the horses were put in front. We 

 left at 6 p.m., and arrived at the fifth station at 8.20 p.m. 

 Our horses were now placed tandem fashion. 



It is snowing, the snow-flakes formed of innumerable 

 minute six-rayed stars, each ray beautifully feathered. 

 Later, when the snow became denser, the spaces between 



