DON COSSACKS. 
335 
unusual degree of caution prevailed among chap. 
them, as to their means of defence. They v..- v 
provided themselves with fire-arms : these they 
said were now necessary ; and a very sharp 
look-out was made, the Calmuchs increasing 
in number as we advanced more into the 
interior. 
We arrived at Ramenskaia, a stanitza upon Kamen- 
the Danaetz, generally written Donetz : we 
crossed this river by means of a floating bridge, 
as the post-house was upon the opposite side. 
The town made a great figure, as we descended 
towards the valley wherein it was situate ; 
owing to its fine church, and its numerous 
gardens : the river itself, also, exhibiting a 
broad stream winding among the trees, had a 
noble appearance. We observed in the streets 
a kind of gingerbread for sale, which is common 
in our English fairs, and it is made into the 
same form. The Ataman was at his country- 
seat ; and we were told, that all the principal 
Cossacks had their houses for summer residence 
in the country. Just before entering the town, 
a young Calmuck woman met us, sitting astride 
upon a horse laden with raw horse-flesh, which 
hung like carrion before her on either side. 
She was grinning for joy at the treasure she 
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