A Drunken Driver. 



He was a big, shaggy-bearded individual and stood stiffly at 

 attention when I addressed him through Khatimski, caHing me 

 " Your Exalted Excellency," and apparently regarding me as 

 a second Czar. When I embarked in my sledge he wished me 

 long hfe and happiness, and gave a salute as though I were the 

 high and mighty Czar himself. 



I enjoyed this part of the long sledge drive immensely 

 despite the terrific cold, as the horses 

 were first rate and simply flew over 

 the ground. 



At one or two of the post houses 

 some difficulty was experienced in 

 obtaining Government animals as the 

 Imperial mails had but recently passed 

 through, and all available horses had 

 been taken for their conduct to the 

 posts ahead. With the aid, however, 

 of the officers who accompanied me I 

 was able to engage others from the 

 peasantry who showed no reluctance 

 in complying with our requests, a 

 state of affairs for which the appear- 

 ance of my escort, booted and spurred, 

 and adorned with clanking swords, 

 was largely responsible. 



This ready compliance was yet 

 another proof of the awe in which 

 officials are held in the Russian 

 Empire, and the alacrity with which 

 their behests are obeyed. 

 All the drivers were now Siberians, fine stalwart fellows, and 

 they handled the teams of three horses in a manner that com- 

 pelled my unqualified admiration. The roads were in good 

 condition from the heavy snowfalls and hard frosts, so that the 

 iron shod runners on the sledges glided over the surface at great 



410 2 E 2 



•ORTLY Sn;ERIAN. 



