SPRING THAW DIFFICULTIES 243 



stranded in aji out-of-the-way place, and continued 

 our journey at the usual post rate, meeting with every 

 civility and attention on the way. 



We passed through the village at the very moment 

 when the usual Easter procession round the church 

 was in progress. The priest, followed by the con- 

 gregation, marched in solemn procession, bearing the 

 icon and lighted candles. Before the early service on 

 Easter Eve the Russian Church has a service similar 

 to the watch-night service in some places of worship 

 in England. 



One great defect of Easter in a remote Siberian 

 village is the restriction of diet to eggs. For ten 

 days we had little else to eat. The eggs are small 

 but good, yet eating five eggs to a meal, two and 

 three times a day, becomes monotonous, and I felt 

 that I did not wish to see another egg as lottg as 

 I lived. 



The moujik had informed us tliat there was no 

 road fit to travel over, and it was soon abundantly 

 evident that he was right. There was no track. We 

 drove straight through the deep snow and presently 

 descended into a valley. Twice we crossed a swollen, 

 formidable-looking stream, and, when at last we 

 arrived at our next station, we found the main street 

 of the village at least 2 feet deep in mud. After 

 inquiring our way, we crossed the stream once more 

 — it was about 3 feet deep at this spot — and soon 

 arrived at the post station of Chiranchanka . 



While the horses were being got ready, we paid 

 a visit to the creamery. This is a very small affair, 

 having been erected, so the owner told us, at a cost 

 of £40, including, the separator and all working 

 utensils. The proprietor was not in a position to 

 produce the best butter, and, if he had beeui, the 

 village is so remote and so small, and the supply of 

 milk so inadequate, that by the time a sufficient 



