om was taking over for a Russian nobleman, who was to figure
at the approaching coronation of the Emperor. The Russians set great
value on English horses, and employ a considerable number of English
grooms, many of whom raise themselves to respectable situations, as had
the man who had charge of the horses in question.

There were several other passengers, some of whom were English merchants
who had resided in Russia for many years, and from them the friends
gained a considerable amount of valuable information. This Cousin Giles
had particularly the art of eliciting from his companions, and Fred and
Harry had abundance to do in noting it down. The cabins and saloon were
both comfortable and handsome. The latter was lined with mahogany, had
gilt mouldings, and the sofas which surrounded it were covered with
cool, clean, antibilious-looking chintz, while in the centre there was a
sociable table, with a skylight overhead. Everything, also, was
provided by the young master to conduce to the comfort of his
passengers.

On the afternoon of the day they sailed, the sky looked wildish, and the
master prognosticated either wind or heavy rain. A thunder-storm played
at a distance round the ship; the lightning flashed vividly, but
scarcely a mutter of the clouds' artillery was heard; some heavy showers
fell, then the weather cleared up. The stars shone forth brightly from
the clear sky, and the waning moon arose and shed her silvery light on
the calm water, over which the breeze played with just sufficient
strength to crisp it into silvery wavelets. It was a night for
meditation and prayer. Unhappy is the state of man who can look forth
from the deck of a ship on such a scene and not feel gratitude to the
Framer of the magnificent firmament above him,--whom it does not make
more meditative, more prayerful, than his wont,--whom it does not cause
to think of eternity.

The next day a bright silvery fog hung over the sea, yet so dense that
no eye could pierce the bowsprit's length through it. The engines were
therefore put at half their power, yet even then the vessel went nearly
seven knots through the water.

The lads were delighted with the smooth, easy way in which the vessel
glided on. They remarked it to Cousin Giles.

"You think it is very pleasant, because you see no danger, my dear
boys," he answered. "Much the same aspect does vice bear to the young,
while they shrink with fear from the storm of adversity.