dark figure crossed in front, and
disappeared in the shadow of a wall. I was entirely unarmed. What was
to be done? Perhaps the man might be able to tell me the way to my
lodgings; but I could not speak a word of Russian, as before stated,
and, besides, was rather averse to making acquaintance with strangers.
After a moment's reflection, I walked on, cautiously and distrustfully
enough, for the notion was uppermost in my mind that this fellow was
not there for any good purpose. As I passed the spot where he had
disappeared, I looked suspiciously around, but he did not make his
appearance. With a few hasty strides I readied the open space--a
vacant lot, it seemed, caused by a recent fire. The houses were burnt
down, and nothing but a blackened mass of beams, rafters, and ashes
covered the ground. The only exit was through a narrow alley. Before
entering this, I looked back and saw the same figure stealthily
following me. On I went as rapidly as I could walk. Closer and closer
came the figure. He was a man of gigantic stature, and was probably
armed. Soon I heard the heavy tramp of his feet within a few paces. It
was evident I must either run or stand my ground. Perhaps, if I had
known what direction to take, or could have placed more reliance upon
my knees, which were greatly weakened by tea, I might have chosen the
former alternative, inglorious as it may seem; but, under the
circumstances, I resolved to stand. Facing around suddenly, with my
back to the wall, I called to the ruffian to stand off, as he valued
his life. He halted within a few feet, evidently a little disconcerted
at my sudden determination to make battle. His face was the most
brutal I had over seen; a filthy mass of beard nearly covered it; two
piercing white eyes glistened beneath the leaf of his greasy cap; a
coarse blouse, gathered around the waist by a leather belt, and boots
that reached nearly to his hips, were the most striking articles of
his costume. For a moment he gazed at me, as if uncertain what to do;
then brushed slowly past, with the design, no doubt, of ascertaining
if I was armed. I could not see whether he carried any deadly weapons
himself; but a man of his gigantic stature needed none to be a very
unequal opponent in a struggle with one whose most sanguinary
conflicts had hitherto been on paper, and who had never wielded a
heavier weapon than a pen.

Proceeding on his way, however, the ruffian, after going about a
hundred yards, d