^9° THROUGH RUSSIA ON A MUSTANG. 



There is reverence in all this symbolism of the Holy 

 Cross. But you awaken to a clearer conception of the 

 religious ideas of the peasantry of Russia when you 

 finally come to understand that the cross is painted on 

 the stable door to keep out witches, and that the crosses 

 on the ceiling are to prevent these same malicious 

 sprites from entering the house. 



Amulets are still worn, attached to pieces of thread, 

 about the neck by many moujiks, in addition to the 

 little pectoral cross. The old spell used by the peas- 

 ant's pagan ancestors is very likely tied to the same 

 neck-thread as the cross. Both are to preserve him 

 from sickness and disaster. As between the two he 

 has more faith in the cross nowadays, but he still clings, 

 with the stubborn conservatism of ignorance, to the 

 symbols of ancient heathen faith, nor does it ever oc- 

 cur to him that to tie a bat's-wing amulet obtained 

 from the village sorcerer to the little cross obtained 

 from the priest, and hang them both about his neck is 

 an insult to his religion. When he bathes in the river 

 he makes the sign of the Cross to keep the water-witches 

 from strangling him. 



