326 
BY THE ISTHMUS OF PEIiECQP, 
chap, have encountered. Having thus related a few 
viii. . ° . . 
' v facts which came to our knowledge, affecting 
the character of the Taktars, and the danger 
of their country, it may be amusing to add 
some examples of the stories current in 
the country : these, although perhaps less 
authentic, are implicitly believed by Russians, 
and by other strangers ; and they constitute 
a common topic of conversation. The first 
was related to us by a general-officer in the 
Russian service; the second we heard upon 
the road. 
Anecdote The Chief of a very desperate gang of banditti, 
r;ite Rob- who had amassed considerable wealth, was 
taken by a soldier, and conducted to the Go- 
vernor of the province at Ekaterinoslaf. Great 
rewards had been offered for the person of this 
man ; and it was supposed he would, of course, 
be immediately knouted. To the astonishment 
of the soldier who had been the means of his 
apprehension, a few days only had elapsed, 
when he received a visit from the robber, who 
had been able to bribe the Governor sufficiently 
to procure his release, and, in consequence of 
the bribe, had been liberated from confinement. 
“ You have caught me,” said he, addressing the 
soldier, “ this time ; but before you set out 
upon another expedition in search of me, I will 
