294 THROUGH RUSSIA ON A MUSTANG. 



family with whom he has found shelter. He keeps 

 count over the poultry to see that nothing is stolen, 

 and many moujiks, when they kill a chicken for the 

 table, hang its head up in the back yard that the domo- 

 voi may understand what has become of it. When a 

 death occurs in the family the domovoi is inconsolable 

 for many days, and may be heard at times wailing be- 

 hind the stove. 



In the province of Orel, through which my road lay, 

 many of the peasants endeavor to have all their live- 

 stock as nearly as possible of one color. This applies 

 even to the poultry, the dog, and the cat. This is be- 

 cause the domovoi of their house is believed to like that 

 color best, and will be pleased at this deference to his 

 taste. The manner of finding out what color the do- 

 movoi likes best is one of the ceremonies of Easter 

 Sunday. On that day the peasants hang up in the 

 stable something perishable in a piece of rag. When 

 maggots appear they judge from their color what is 

 most likely to be the preference of the domovoi. 



If ill luck seems to attend the rearing of their do- 

 mestic animals, it is believed that a strange domovoi 

 of a malignant disposition has appeared in the house- 

 hold. A shovel or other household implement is then 

 dipped in tar. During the night the strange domovoi 

 will rub himself against it, and, taking offense at the 

 insult, will leave the premises. 



On certain nights of the year the kindest of domo- 

 vois will become malicious, and special precautions 

 have to be taken to appease them. In some districts 

 little cakes, baked expressly for the domovoi, are placed 

 near his retreat, on the stove, on the eve of the Epiph- 



