CHAPTER VII.
_Arrival at Yakoutsk.--Letter from home.--Departure._
Nothing could be more dreary than the aspect of the country, as our travellers approached the town of Yakoutsk. This was situated on a nearly level plain, which was now covered with snow. There were only a few stunted trees to be seen, and not a dwelling for miles around the town. The river, of which a view was afforded, was frozen over, and the scene bespoke a land of sterility and the stern season of winter.
Yakoutsk contains about 7000 inhabitants, and is built of wood. The houses are low and mean, and the people, for the most part, live in poverty and wretchedness. The climate is so severe, that, so late as June, the frost is not out of the ground; and in September, the Lena, which is a large river, is frozen over. Of course, the fruits yielded by the soil are exceedingly few, and the people have hard work, during the three brief months of summer, to lay up a sufficient store of food, fuel, and clothing, to save them from perishing during the long and bitter winter of nine months.
It was now three months since Alexis had parted from his friends at Tobolsk, and he was separated from them by a space of two thousand miles. He expected to get letters from home, brought by the post, and as soon as he and his party had obtained lodgings, he went to the office, where they were to be left. It was with a beating heart that he entered the place, and inquired for his letters. So long a time had elapsed since his departure, and so vast a distance now lay between him and his friends, that he experienced a sickening sense of anxiety. What might not have happened to his aged father, or his dear sister?
These were the thoughts in his mind, as the person at the office handed him a letter, on which he instantly recognised the hand-writing of Kathinka. He thrust it into his bosom, and, with a rapid step, sought his lodgings. Here he broke the seal, and read as follows:
“DEAREST ALEXIS:--It is now two months since you left us, and it seems a year. I have counted the very hours since your departure, and could I have foreseen the weariness, anxiety, and longing that your absence has occasioned, I had never consented to your enterprise. When I think that you will be two thousand miles from Tobolsk when this reaches you, I am really sick at heart. And yet nothing has happened to give us any particular cause of anxiety. Indeed, our condition has rather improved. The governor’s lady bought the lace collar which I wrought, and has since taken other articles, and she has paid me well for them. The governor himself has noticed me kindly, though there is something about him I do not like. He smiles when he meets me, and flatters me very much; but still, his dark brow frightens me. However, I must not offend him, for he is not only kind to me, but he has called upon our poor father, and expressed his desire to make his exile as little painful as possible. What all this means I cannot say, but I hope it proceeds from the kindness of his heart.
“Do you remember young Suwarrow, who was at our house, while the Princess Lodoiska was concealed there? He was somehow concerned in aiding her escape; and after her departure, I had never seen him till he came here. He is of Polish birth, but his family is Russian, and he is now an officer of the castle in Tobolsk. He arrived about the time you left us. He soon found us out, and has been to see us frequently. He is a noble fellow, and, though a Russian soldier, seems to possess the heart of a Pole. It is a great comfort to find such a friend, and I think it the more fortunate, that he and father seem to like each other so much. The only thing about it that troubles me, is, that he seems to dislike my going to the governor’s house, and is very careful to conceal his visits, so that they may not be known to his commander. What does all this mean?
“You will hardly expect me to tell you any news, for we see little of society, and in fact we are almost as much lost to the world, as if Tobolsk were a prison. The only thing of particular interest that has occurred, is the arrival of several Polish exiles. Some of them are of noble families, and father’s heart has been wrung to agony for them. Alas, that the love of one’s country should be a crime, for which banishment to this dreary land must atone!
“You will desire to know all about our dear father. He is now happily relieved from the fear of immediate want; the products of my needle, so liberally paid for by the governor’s lady, supply us with the few necessities of life. He spends a good deal of time in reading; for Suwarrow has furnished us with books; and occasionally we get the Petersburgh Gazette from the same source. He seems more tranquil, but I see that sorrow is gradually weaving its shadows over his brow. There is a settled sadness in his face, which sometimes makes me weep. Oh, how changed is his condition! Once in the possession of wealth and power; once so active, so energetic, and, by the springs he set in motion, exerting so great an influence! now, so utterly helpless, isolated, and lost! How is the light of his life put out! Dear Alexis, these things move me to tears. I would that you were here to share, and thus to soften my grief. But I am thankful that there is one often here who understands my feelings. Is it not strange that a Russian should be the depositary of our confidence, and the alleviator of our sorrow? I think father likes Suwarrow more than I do. If you were here, I should care less for him; but what can I do, in my brother’s absence, but find consolation in the society of one who seems to have a brother’s interest in my happiness?
“I have had a great deal of anxiety for you. Pray write me a long letter, and tell me all about your journey. How have you borne the long and weary march of two thousand miles? Alas, that Alexis Pultova should have come to this! And yet, my brother, it may be good for you: I mean, it may promote your happiness. It may seem strange to you, for it surprises myself, to find a real pleasure in my toil. I once thought that labor was a curse, but I now find it a blessing. It is associated in my mind with the comfort and independence of our father; there is something soothing and consoling to think that I, poor I, can be so useful. Do not think me conceited, but really, Lex, I feel quite important! And you may find a similar compensation for your exertions and privations. Only think, now, if you should bring home a quantity of fine furs, and enable father to live a little more according to his wont; what a pleasure that would be! It appears to me that, if I were a young man, I should be very proud to be able to do something clever. The consciousness of being able to compel fortune to come at one’s bidding, is reserved for your sex. We girls can only admire such things in men; we may not possess the feeling itself. Still, I now feel a certain degree of confidence in myself, which is a source of much cheerfulness to my heart.
“I have now written my sheet nearly full, yet I have not told you a hundredth part of what I think and feel. Oh that I could see you, dear, dear Alexis! I never loved you so well as now, in your absence. I am not content with this cold way of speaking to you. I want to pour out my soul with the lips to your own ear, and in your real presence. Yet I must not be impatient. I would not recall you, for I believe you are in the path of duty. Let the confidence that an arm more powerful, protects you, nerve your heart for your hardy enterprise. Write me a long letter. I shall write again in four months, so that on your return to Yakoutsk, after your hunting excursion upon the banks of the Lena, you will get news from us once more. Father sends his blessing, and a thousand kind prayers and wishes for your safety. Suwarrow wishes to be kindly mentioned to you. Farewell! farewell!
KATHINKA.”
We need hardly say that this tender epistle drew many tears from Alexis. For a time he was almost overcome with a yearning for home, but this feeling subsided, and he was able to direct his attention to other matters. The streets of Yakoutsk presented many objects of curiosity. There were parties of Kamtschadales, in the town, muffled in skins, and drawn on sledges by dogs; and there were Samoiedes--short copper-colored fellows, dressed in sealskins, and drawn by reindeer. These, and hunters and trappers of many other tribes, were to be seen in the streets, all of them seeking a market for their furs. And there were merchants here to buy them from Russia, and Tartary, and Japan, and other countries. Nothing could be more curious than the contrasts furnished by these different people.
Linsk had been here before, and understood the manners and business of the place. He was a good judge of furs, and having some spare cash, he bought a few skins, remarkable for their fineness, knowing that he could make a large profit on them on his return to Tobolsk. These he deposited, for safekeeping, in the hands of a merchant.
After a few days, having made provision for their wants, the hunters left Yakoutsk, and taking a northern course along the banks of the Lena, pursued their way to the hunting-ground, where they hoped to gather a rich harvest of sable-skins.
It was now mid-winter, and it is hardly possible to conceive of anything more dreary than the country through which they passed. It was a rolling plain, covered deep with snow, over which the wind was driving in its swift and unbroken career. Not a house or hut was visible for leagues; there was no path; and the travellers were obliged to guide themselves, as they proceeded on the hard snow-crust, like the voyager upon the sea, by the heavenly bodies, or occasional landmarks.
Pursuing their weary and lonely way--seeming, in the vast expanse, like insects creeping slowly on--they reached at night a small uninhabited hut, situated in a wooded ravine, and designed for the shelter of travellers.
Here the party made preparations for rest, and soon fell asleep. Early the next morning, Linsk went forth, leaving Alexis and his sons to their repose; his object being to see if he could not find some game, for he was now becoming eager to enter upon business. Scarcely had he proceeded two hundred yards when a bear sprung suddenly from a thicket of fur trees, and rearing on his hind legs, was about clasping the old hunter in his arms! But Linsk was like a weasel--always on the watch. Quick as thought, he seized the bear by the throat, and drawing his dirk, plunged it into his bowels. He fell with a fearful growl to the earth, and Linsk, drawing back, levelled his rifle at his head, and letting go the ball, killed him in an instant.
FRUITS OF INDUSTRY.--Franklin, the greatest philosopher and statesman of America, was once a printer’s boy. Simpson, the great mathematician, and author of many learned works, was at first a poor weaver. Herschel, one of the most eminent of astronomers, rose from the low station of a fifer boy in the army. These examples show us the happy effects of industry and perseverance.
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DR. WATTS.--It was so natural for Dr. Watts, when a child, to speak in rhyme, that even at the very time he wished to avoid it, he could not. His father was displeased with the propensity, and threatened to whip him if he did not leave off making verses. One day, when he was about to put his threat into execution, the child burst into tears, and on his knees said,--
“Pray, father, do some pity take, And I will no more verses make.”
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SENSIBILITY.--A lady, who made pretensions to the most refined feelings, went to her butcher to remonstrate with him on his cruel practices. “How,” said she, “can you be so barbarous as to put little lambs to death?” “Why not, madam,” said the butcher, “you would not eat them alive, would you?”
[Illustration:
1. _Bees making wax._ 2. _Working bee._ 3. _Queen bee._ 4. _Drone._ 5. _Humble bee._ 6. _Mason bee._ 7. _Death’s-head moth._ 8. _Honey guide._ 9. _Honey ratel._]
Bees.
There are several kinds of bees; the most interesting species of which is the honey bee. Small and insignificant as this little creature might appear to be, it is one of the most wonderful animals in the world. Many of them live in a wild state and make their hives in hollow trees. In America, and other countries, there are persons who devote themselves to finding these hives for the sake of the honey. One of the most common methods adopted is to place some bee-bread, in order to tempt the bees, on a flat board or tile, and draw a circle round it with white paint. The bee always settles upon the edge of anything flat, so she must travel through the paint to reach the bee-bread. When she flies away, the white on her body enables the observer to trace her flight, and her course is marked down with a pocket compass. The same thing is done at another spot, some distance from the first, and by comparing the direction of the two lines, the situation of the nest is easily found, as it must be at the point, where, if continued, the lines would meet. In Africa, the bee hunter is aided by a little bird called the honey guide. In the same country the honey ratel will sit and hold one of his paws before his eyes, about the time of sunset, in order to get a distinct view of the objects of his pursuit; and when he sees any bees flying, he knows that at that hour they are returning home, and so he follows them.
The domestic bees afford a good opportunity for studying the habits of this wonderful race of insects. Three kinds of bees are discovered in the hive; the drone, the queen bee, and working bee. The drones are the fathers of the young bees, and live an idle life. They are larger than the rest, and make a louder hum in flying. The queen is the mother of the young bees, and governs the hive. The subjects are much attached to her.
If she dies, the whole community is thrown into the greatest agitation, and those which first find out what is the matter, run about the hive in a furious manner, touching every companion they meet with their little horns or feelers, which are called antennæ. These in their turn run about in the same manner, and inform others of the sad event, till the whole hive is in confusion. This agitation lasts four or five hours, after which the bees begin to take measures for repairing their loss. Nothing can be more extraordinary than the way in which they proceed. They build several cells, which are much larger than the common ones, and of a different form. Having removed one of the worker worms into each of these, they feed it with a particular kind of food, and in a few days it grows larger, and at length comes out a queen. One of these becomes the sovereign of the hive.
If the bees lose their queen, and there are no worms or young to supply her place, they leave off working, and die in a few days. But if in the midst of their agitation their lost queen should be restored, they are quiet immediately, for they instantly remember and distinguish her from all others. If a new queen were to be placed in the hive too soon after the loss of the other, no attention would be paid her, and she would be starved or smothered in the crowd. But when four and twenty hours have passed, and the first grief is over, a stranger queen is well received and reigns immediately. The bees crowd about her, touch her by turns with their antennæ, give her honey, range themselves round her in a circle, and follow her as a guard when she moves.
The offspring of one queen alone is too numerous for a hive to hold. She will sometimes lay in one season sixty or seventy thousand eggs; so it would never do to have more than one queen. Some of the eggs turn to queens, some to drones, and the largest portion to workers. The swarms that leave the hive are each led by a queen. The drones do not collect honey, or help to build the cells. People, who like them lead an idle life, are sometimes called drones. The drones are turned out of the hive before winter, that they may not eat the honey that the industrious workers have collected.
A swarm of bees, on entering a new hive, immediately want cells to store their honey in, and to bring up their young. These cells cannot be made without wax, which is obtained, not from flowers, as is supposed, but from the body of the bees. This forms best while they are quiet; and in order to obtain it, they hang themselves in clusters, clinging to each other’s legs. Having remained in this situation for twenty-four hours, they scrape it off, and form it into cells, the tongue being used as a sort of trowel. Their industry, skill and contrivance in doing this are admirable.
Bees have many enemies beside man, the honey guide and the honey ratel. Wasps and hornets attack them while in search of flowers, and moths steal into the hive, where they sometimes do great mischief. At night, sentinels are set to watch, and by moonlight you may see them pacing to and fro, turning in every direction. If an enemy approach, the sentinels utter a loud hum, and other bees rush to their aid. If the moth gets in, and escapes being stung to death, it lays its eggs, which produce grubs, that sometimes oblige the bees to quit the hive. The death’s-head moth, which is very large, sometimes gets in and produces a sound, which renders the bees motionless, and then it steals their honey.
The humble bee is a clumsy looking creature, with which most people are acquainted. It builds its nest in hayfields, of moss. The way in which the bees collect this material is curious. One bee settles on a tuft of moss, with its head turned from the place where the nest is to be. It then tears off little bits with its teeth and fore legs, and passes them to the middle pair, and then to its hind legs, when it holds out the bunch of moss as far as it can, to another bee who is placed behind. This bee receives it, and in the same way passes it to the next, and so on till it reaches the nest. This is lined with coarse wax, and contains a few combs, clumsily made.
The humble bee is tormented by a kind of mite, which sometimes is found upon them in great numbers. They have recourse to a most amusing contrivance to get rid of them. A humble bee thus tormented will go to an ant-hill, and then kick and scratch till the ants come out to see what is the matter. Before they drive their noisy visiter away, the ants seize upon these mites and carry them off as a prize, and the bee, as soon as it is set free from its enemies, flies away contented!
HENRY IV., KING OF FRANCE.--This monarch always made his children call him papa and father, and not the usual ceremonious title of “sir,” or, “your majesty.” He used frequently to join in their amusements; and one day, as he was going on all-four’s, with the dauphin, his son, on his back, an ambassador entered his apartment suddenly, and surprised him in that attitude. The monarch, without moving from it, said to him, “Monsieur l’Ambassadeur, have you any children?” “Yes, sire,” replied he. “Very well then,” said the king, “I shall finish my race round my chamber.”
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WOMEN.--Fontenelle being asked by a lord in waiting, at Versailles, what difference there was between a clock and a woman, instantly replied, “A clock serves to point out the hours, and a woman to make us forget them.”
[Illustration]
The several varieties of Dogs.
The above engraving represents the most remarkable kinds of dogs. The following is a description of them, beginning at the left hand of the top row.
1. Irish Greyhound,--the largest species.
2. Newfoundland, web-footed, fond of the water, and remarkable for his sagacity.
3. Mastiff, a favorite as a guard.
4. Greyhound, the fleetest of all dogs.
5. Esquimaux, used to draw the sledges of the Esquimaux.
6. Large, rough water dog, used in hunting ducks.
7. Spanish pointer, a favorite with sportsmen.
8. Setter, a fine sporting dog.
9. Old English greyhound, now very scarce.
10. Bandog, a rare species, resembling the mastiff.
11. Shepherd’s dog, used in Europe for tending sheep.
12. Bull-dog, the fiercest of all dogs.
13. Cur-dog, active and sagacious.
14. Lurcher, used for killing hares and rabbits.
15. Fox-hound, used for pursuing foxes.
16. Harrier, strong and active.
17. Beagle, used in pursuing hares.
18. Dalmatian, used as an attendant upon a coach.
19. Large water spaniel, docile and affectionate.
20. Small water spaniel, resembles the former.
21. Springer, used for hunting woodcocks.
22. Terrier, active and strong, used for destroying rats and mice.
23. Turnspit, formerly used in England for turning a spit.
24. Comforter, kept as a lap-dog.
Anecdote of the Indians.
Mr. Catlin, who is a portrait painter, has been a great deal with the Indians in the far west, in order to paint likenesses of the chiefs and others. He has met with many curious adventures, and these he has told in a book, which is just published. The following story is from this work:
“The sensation I produced amongst the Minatarees, while on the Upper Missouri, by taking from amongst my painting apparatus an old number of the New York Commercial Advertiser, edited by my kind and tried friend, Col. Stone, was extraordinary. The Minatarees thought that I was mad, when they saw me, for hours together, with my eyes fixed upon its pages. They had different and various conjectures about it--the most current of which was, that I was looking at it to cure my sore eyes, and they called it the ‘medicine-cloth for sore eyes.’ I, at length, put an end to this and several equally ignorant conjectures, by reading passages in it, which were interpreted to them, and the object of the paper fully explained; after which it was looked upon as a much greater mystery than before, and several liberal offers were made me for it, which I was obliged to refuse, having already received a beautifully garnished robe for it from the hands of a young son of Esculapius, who told me that if he could employ a good interpreter to explain everything in it, he could travel about amongst the Minatarees, and Mandans, and Sioux, and exhibit it after I was gone, getting rich with presents, and adding greatly to the list of his medicines, as it would make him a great medicine-man. I left with the poor fellow his painted robe and the newspaper; and just before I departed I saw him unfold it to show some of his friends, when he took from around it some eight or ten folds of birch bark and deer skins, all of which were carefully enclosed in a sack made of the skin of a pole-cat, and undoubtedly destined to become, and to be called, his mystery or medicine bag.”
NO DISPUTING ABOUT TASTES.--The hedgehog will eat Spanish flies, which will kill a dog, and a common hog feasts upon rattlesnakes.
Indians of America.