bell, and we proceeded at a slow pace through an avenue bordered with birch trees. After passing the gate, we had to travel some versts before entering the town. I perceived that they were taking a circuitous way, turning right and left, and choosing the less frequented streets, which was a bad omen for us. At last the carriage suddenly stopped. It was a very dark night. I heard a knot of persons talking in a low voice, and, as far as I was able to see in the darkness, they appeared to be dressed in large furs, and caps of the same material, which almost covered their faces. This conference lasted fully a quarter of an hour, which seemed to me an age. At last the carriage door was opened, and they told me to alight. I shook hands with Fischer, and took leave of him. As soon as I came out of the carriage, two of those men wrapped up in furs, took me arm in arm, and holding me tight, started. Soon after I heard the sullen and imposing noise of the river, as it swept along large blocks of ice in its current. After having walked about fifty paces, we
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