268 SIBERIA 



noticed the peasants standing about in siMall groups, 

 apparently, in their way, enjoying the Easter holi- 

 days. We made a short stay at the post-office, but, 

 as the priest happened to be in possession of the best 

 room, we were forced to content ourselves with the 

 kitchen. 



In twenty minutes' time we resumed our journey, 

 over the same kind of country as on the previous 

 day, until we reached Bulanka, twelve miles distant. 

 The snow was lying thickly, whilst our progress was 

 Much impeded by marshy ground. The sky was clear 

 and bright, but the wind was excessively cold, the 

 thermometer showing lo degrees below freezing- 

 point. The snow, however, was in splendid condition, 

 and we completed the twelve miles in ij hours, the 

 light sledge taking the road very smoothly. We 

 arrived feeling exceedingly cold, and, after ordering 

 a " samovar " of hot water to make tea with, much 

 enjoyed a light lunch. The " samovar " in nearly 

 every house in which we stayed appeared to represent 

 the most costly piece of furniture. As a rule the 

 fittings were of a very primitive and homely descrip- 

 tion, bearing distinct marks of home manufacture. 



Taking a sledge, we drove through the village, 

 which is about i^ miles across and three miles in 

 circimiference. Few of the houses were of brick— in 

 fact, there are none to be seen in any of the villages, 

 and only a few in the larger towns. The weather was 

 still very fine, in which respect we had been con- 

 sistently fortunate. We were undecided whether to 

 wait for the river steamers, which were almost ready 

 to start, when snow came on to a depth of about 

 five inches, which decided us to proceed. When 

 fairly on our way again, however, the weather became 

 once more settled. 



Those of our friends who had predicted terrible 

 roads for us would have been surprised to learn of 



