76 THIRTY-FIVE YEARS IN THE EAST. 



From Orenburg I continued my journey by post over 

 Kazan to Nishni-Nowgorod, and I arrived, without any 

 material accidents, at the latter city. It was just the time 

 of the fair, to which people from the nearest and remotest 

 countries were flocking, to purchase and sell their merchandise. 

 Provided as I was with cash, I lent a willing ear to some 

 friends, who, from their local knowledge, advised me not to 

 take ready money with me, but to buy sable skins. They gave 

 me this advice, as sables would not increase the bulk of 

 my luggage like other merchandise, and added that the 

 skins could be disposed of with considerable profit. For 

 that purpose, I called on one of the principal houses 

 which dealt in sable skins, where I had the opportunity 

 of making the personal acquaintance of the governor of 

 the place, whotn 1 met by accident. I made a bargain ia 

 his presence, the merchant engaging to be content with 

 a profit of ten per cent. This induced me to purchase 

 to a considerable amount, which I immediately paid, after 

 having received the goods. During these transactions, 

 the governor asked my interpreter who I was, whence I 

 came, and whither I was going. Having got satisfactory 

 information, and having learned at the same time that 

 1 was in possession of a beautiful horse of the finest 

 breed, be requested me to show it to him when it arrived. 

 When 1 left the merchant, my interpreter told me that the 

 sable-dealer wished that none should be acquainted with 

 our arrangements, and that he would send me, the following 

 morning, a man who knew well how the skins ought to be 

 packed. This circumstance created in my mind a suspicion 

 of his dishonesty. To ascertain the fact, I went early on 

 the following morning to a merchant whom I knew, and com- 

 municated to him my impression. After having examined 

 the skins, he declared there was not a doubt about my 

 having been cheated by the dealer, and he himself offered 

 to supply me with the same quality of article for half the 

 price which I had paid. He advised me to go instantly to 

 the merchant, and propose to him either to add a portion 

 more of sabies, or that I would make him a present of the ten . 



