EUROPEAN BIG GAME 163 



an invitation to join an expedition into the province of Novgorod, 

 organised by Count Alexander Miinster, son of the distinguished 

 Ambassador of that name so well known to us from his long 

 residence in England. 



Our third 'gun ' was M. Constantine Dumba, First Secre- 

 tary to the Austrian Embassy, whose agreeable companionship 

 added considerably to the pleasure of the trip. 



With these gentlemen I arrived at Malo Vyschera, a 

 station 152 versts down the direct line from St. Petersburg to 

 Moscow, at 7.30 P.M., March 2/14, 1889, had supper, and after 

 packing ourselves, our trusty henchmen, and our provisions 

 into country sledges which baffle description, started a la 

 belle etoile at 9.15 P.M. The moon was nearly at her full, the 

 thermometer at 9 Reaumur (about 9 Fahr., or 23 degrees of 

 frost), and not a breath of wind. The sensation of gliding 

 along through the silent night, comfortably wrapped up and 

 extended at full length on the hay with which each sledge was 

 amply provided, was most enjoyable. The weird beauty of the 

 forest scenery by moonlight, the countless rows of dark firs, 

 the silvery birches, the sudden clearings, all exciting the 

 imagination, whilst the constant jolts and dislocation of the 

 body, resulting in curses loud as well as deep, forbade sleep 

 till the small hours. I had, however, begun to slumber, 

 when we were tumbled out to change sledges at a small village 

 called Falkova, at about 1.15 A.M. While fresh horses and 

 drivers were being collected we had tea in the principal room 

 of the posting house, which we found very clean, dry and 

 comfortable. I am afraid we disturbed the family in their beds 

 on the top of the stove, which may sound strange in. English 

 ears ; but these stoves, being made of brick and cement and 

 about the size of a pianoforte van, whole families can, and do, 

 sleep atop of them without inconvenience. At 2 A.M., or a little 

 after, we were again en route. 



I have experienced extreme cold in various quarters of the 

 globe, but recollections of nocturnal expeditions in Canada at 

 Christmas time, and of middle watches on the fore bridge 



