RETURN TO ST. PETERSBURG 295 



railway now being- open to the public — was due to 

 start that verv ni^ht at eleven. Our bao-o-ao-e was 

 hurriedly carried over by voluntary porters, mostly 

 soldiers, to the station, half a mile distant, in pitch 

 darkness, and we considered ourselves lucky to get off 

 so cheaply as we slowly steamed out of Stretensk. 

 Ten days later we parted with Littledale at Moscow, 

 and safely arrived at St. Petersburg. 



Recalling to mind this trip to the furthermost east, I 

 may say, in conclusion, that, although three years have 

 since elapsed, reminiscences of the voyage and success- 

 ful sport will ever remain clear and bright, and though 

 great were the hardships and discomforts undergone, 

 I cannot share the well-known sentiment of the French 

 writer who avers that "travels are a delightful inven- 

 tion on account of the pleasure they afford in preparing 

 for them and recollecting them, the most tiresome part 

 being their accomplishment." 



