TO NICIIOLAEF. 
Accommodate you with a pair of red l-oots ' for the 
journey.” With this terrible threat, he made 
his escape ; and no further inquiry was made 
after him, on the part of the Russian police. 
The undaunted soldier, finding the little confi- 
dence that could be placed in his commander, 
determined to take the administration of justice 
into his own hands, and once more adventured 
in pursuit of the robber, whose flight had spread 
terror through the country. After an under- 
taking full of danger, he found him in one of the 
little subterraneous huts, in the midst of the 
Steppes: entering this place, with loaded pistols 
in his hand, “ You promised me,” said he, “ a 
pair of red boots; I am here to be measured for 
them!” With these words he discharged one 
of his pistols, and, killing the robber on the 
spot, returned to his quarters. The picture 
this offers of the corruption prevailing amono- 
Governors, and magistrates, in Russia, is correct. 
As for the story itself, it may also be true : it 
is given, as it was received, from those who 
considered its veracity to be indisputable. 
(1) Boots made of red leather are commonly worn in the Ukraine: 
hut to give a man a pair of red boots, according to the saying of the 
J'ahtars, is, to cut the skin round the upper part of his legs, and then 
cause it to be torn off by the feet. This species of torture the banditti 
are said to practise, as an act of revenge : in the same manner, Ameri- 
cans scalp the heads of their enemies. 
