streets of Moscow at night. Should he chance to be
stopped by two or three footpads and call for help, he will doubtless
wake up some drowsy guardian of the law, but the help will be all
against him. Instances have been related to me of robberies in which
the police were the most active assailants, the robbers merely
standing by for their share of the plunder. Should the unfortunate
victim knock down a footpad or two in self-defense, it is good ground
for an arrest, and both robbers and policemen become witnesses against
him. A man had better get involved in a question of title to his
property before the courts of California than be arrested for assault
and battery, and carried before any of the civil tribunals in Russia.
There is no end of the law's delays in these institutions, and his
only chance of justice is to get his case before the emperor, who is
practically the Supreme Court of the empire. Otherwise the really
aggrieved party must pay a fine for defending himself, and support the
assaulted man, whose nose he may have battered, during an unlimited
period at the hospital, together with physician's fees for all the
real or imaginary injuries inflicted. I met with a young American who
was followed by a stalwart ruffian one night in returning from one of
the public gardens. The man dogged his footsteps for some time. At
length, there being nobody near to render aid, the robber mustered
courage enough to seize hold and attempt to intimidate his supposed
victim by brandishing a knife. He came from a country where they were
not uncommon, and, besides, was an adept on the shoulder. With a
sudden jerk he freed himself, and, hauling off a little, gave his
assailant a note of hand that knocked him down. I am not versed in the
classics of the ring, or I would make something out of this fight. The
pad dropped like a stricken ox, his knife flying picturesquely through
the silvery rays of the moon. Next moment he was on his feet again,
the claret shining beautifully on his cheeks and beard. Throwing out
his claws like a huge grizzly, he rushed in, gnashing his teeth and
swearing horribly. This time our friend was fairly aroused, and the
wretch promptly measured his length on the ground. Thinking he had
scattered it on rather heavy, the American stooped down to see how
matters stood, when the fellow grasped him by the coat and commenced
shouting with all his might for the police--"Help! help! murder!
murder!" There was no remed