224 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



the rays became partially filled up, and the rays, in con- 

 sequence, less feathery. 



We reached the sixth station at 11.20 p.m., in the 

 moonlight. 



We reached the seventh station on Monday, the 15th 

 of March, at 1.45 a.m., the eighth at 4 a.m., and the 

 ninth at 7 a.m. The stationmaster here was drunk, and 

 we found Seebohm's bearskin rug missing ; it must have 

 fallen out of the sledge. 



The tenth stage, along a beautiful road through pretty 

 country, with pine forests on either side and undulating 

 country around, was finished at 10.20 a.m. 



On the eleventh stage, which brought us to 12.45 p.m., 

 our * yemstschick,' or driver, was a most energetic old 

 fellow, and most liberal in his terms of abuse to his 

 horses or to other yemstschicks who did not get out of 

 his way. On arriving at the station also he continued 

 his garrulous talk, and apparently quarrelled with all 

 about the place. 



March 15. 



We reached the twelfth station at 3 p.m., and the 

 thirteenth at 6 p.m. Here we got eggs, Eussian butter, 

 some more bread, etc., in addition to our supplies, and 

 made a good meal. We left at 7.30 p.m., and arrived at 

 the fourteenth station at 9.30 p.m., and the fifteenth at 

 12.45 midnight. 



March 16. 



On Tuesday, the 16th March, we reached the sixteenth 

 station Slovodka at 4.30 a.m. For the second time our 

 sledge-runner came loose, and some time was lost in 

 having it hammered up again. It was a beautiful morn- 

 ing. At this place is now being held a great triannual 

 fair. We found a baker here from Hesse-Cassel, who 

 spoke German, the only one we have yet met who could 

 speak anything but Buss. We had half expected to meet 



