36 THROUGH RUSSIA ON A MUSTANG. 



from Moscow to the Black Sea ; then return by way of 

 the Don and the Volga. 



It was deemed that the best plan of getting into 

 genuine contact with the Russian people, and of study- 

 ing them and the way in which they are governed, at 

 close range, would be to take a long horseback journey 

 through the country. This being an extraordinary 

 proposition, and everything out of the ordinary being 

 always regarded with suspicion in Russia, difficulties, 

 of course, presented themselves at the outset. Ken- 

 nan's exposures had prejudiced the Minister of the In- 

 terior against American correspondents in particular, 

 and to approach him for permission to undertake an 

 extraordinary ride on horseback, through the heart of 

 Russia, would probably be equivalent to putting one's 

 head in the lion's mouth. Permission would be re- 

 fused ; or, if granted, care would be taken that every- 

 thing should be prepared along the route, in advance, 

 to prevent one doing anything in the nature of honest 

 investigation. 



It was resolved to ignore the authorities entirely, 

 and — well, simply go ahead. This plan had proved 

 successful in other parts of the world, why not in 

 Russia also ? 



