is predecessor, that by
the following morning, we were all inclined to doubt all of the stories.

However, it is true that Colonel Aristoff and Robins failed to return,
and we were compelled for the time being to assume that at least part of
the stories were true. The Cossacks immediately went into deep mourning
for the loss of their valiant leader and affected great grief and
sorrow. This, however, did not prevent them from ransacking the
Colonel's headquarters and carrying off all his money and jewelry and,
in fact, about everything that he owned. Four days later, however, in
the midst of all this mourning and demonstrations, we were again treated
to a still greater surprise, for that afternoon who should come riding
into the village but the Colonel himself along with his adjutant. It can
be readily imagined what scrambling and endeavor there was on the part
of the sorrowing ones to return undetected to the Colonel's headquarters
his stolen property and belongings. For days thereafter, the garrison
resounded to the cracking of the Colonel's knout, and this time the
wailing and shedding of tears was undoubtedly more real than any that
had been shed previously to that time. These various unfortunate
affairs, while harmful enough in themselves, did far greater harm than
such incidents would ordinarily warrant, in this respect, that they gave
the enemy greater and greater confidence all along, meanwhile lowering
the morale of our Russian cohorts as well as our own troops.

And here we leave these hardy Yanks, far, far to the south of Archangel.
When their story is picked up again in the narrative, it will be found
to be one of the most thrilling stories in American military exploits.

VIII

PEASANTRY OF THE ARCHANGEL PROVINCE

Russian Peasant Born Linguist--Soldiers See Village Life--Communal
Strips Of Land Tilled By Grandfather's Methods--Ash Manure--Rapid Growth
During Days Of Perpetual Daylight--Sprinkling Cattle With Holy
Water--"Sow In Mud And You Will Be A Prince"--Cabbage Pie At
Festival--Home-Brewed "Braga" More Villainous Than Vodka--Winter
Occupations And Sports--North Russian Peasants Less Illiterate Than
Commonly Supposed.

The province of Archangel is in the far north or forest region of
Russia. It is a land of forest and morass, plentifully supplied with
water in the form of rivers, lakes and marshes, along the banks of which
are scant patches of cultivated land, which is invariably the location
o