directly
offended him. He will haul a load of small articles unguarded for many
versts and deliver every piece safely, in spite of his own great hunger,
because he is in charge of the shipment. But he will charge a commission
at both ends of a business deal, and will accept a "gift" almost any
time for any purpose and then mayhap not "deliver." Only a certain small
class, however, and that practically confined to Archangel and environs,
will admit even most privately that any gift or advantage is payment for
a given favor which would not be extended in the ordinary course of
business. This class is not the national back-bone, but rather the
tinsel trimmings in the national show-window.

One time a passing British convoy commandeered some hay at Bolsheozerki.
Upon advice of the American officer the starosta accepted a paper due
bill from the British officer for the hay. Weeks afterward the American
officer found that the Russian had been up to that time unable to get
cash on his due bill. Naturally he looked to the American for aid. The
officer took it up with the British and was assured that the due bill
would be honored. But to quiet the feeling of the starosta he advanced
him the 92 roubles, giving the headman his address so that he could
return the 92 roubles to the American officer when the British due bill
came cash. Brother officers ridiculed the Yank officer for trusting the
Russian peasant, who was himself waiting doubtfully on the British. But
his judgment was vindicated later and the honesty of the starosta
demonstrated when a letter travelled hundreds of miles to Pinega with 92
roubles for the American officer.

XX

HOLDING THE ONEGA VALLEY

December Fighting--Drawn Struggle Near Turchesova--Fighting Near Khala
In February--Corporal Collins And Men Are Ambushed Near
Bolsheozerki--"H" Company In Two Savage Battles--Lieuts. Collins And
Phillips Both Mortally Wounded.

The enemy, who was massing up forces in the upper Pinega valley and, as
we have seen, caused British G. H. Q. to send one company of Americans
hurrying up the valley for a 150-mile march Christmas week, was also
fixing up a surprise for the G. H. Q. on the other end of the great line
of defense. That same Christmas week "H" Company found itself again up
against greatly superior forces who, as they boasted, were commencing
their winter campaign to drive the invaders of Russia to the depths of
the White Sea.

On December 20th one squad