ii2 GOLOVINSKY. 



degree, Stepan was not a favourable specimen of 

 the benefits of woodland isolation to mankind. 

 Instead of giving me a kindly welcome as, to do 

 them justice, all Russian peasants had hitherto 

 done, he eyed me in the doubtful manner in which 

 some big dog might eye a too familiar stranger 

 before snapping at the would-be caressing hand. 

 His face was shrivelled and yellow with fever, and 

 a frequent deep cough formed no pleasant accom- 

 paniment to our cottage life. Gradually his 

 sullenness gave way to surprise at the presence of 

 an English gentleman in those evil places, for such 

 he evidently deemed Golovinsky ; and when I ex- 

 plained to him that I wished to hire his services 

 and the use of his hut, as well as to put all game 

 killed at his disposal, his delight knew no bounds. 

 His terms were a rouble a week, that is about 

 half a crown ; but that seemed so unfair to me that 

 I trebled it, and added to it a promise of ten 

 roubles additional for the skinning of the first 

 bear I should kill ; and considering that he gave 

 me house-room, black bread, and his whole time, 

 I think Is. Qd. per week was not an exorbitant 

 charge. 



However, he was delighted, and though rather 

 startled to find that his whole larder consisted of 

 some black bread, onions, and pork fat ('salo'), 

 I consoled myself with the reflection that with the 

 addition of tea and sugar, which I had brought 



