they were taking the surest way
of propagating the truth. Others were thrown into prison, and subjected
daily to cruel tortures to force them to recant.

"A few unhappy men were overcome by the pains and terror, and returned
to the Greek faith, but the greater number held firm. I remained in
concealment, and it was supposed that I had died; but I had relatives
and friends who were wealthy for our rank of life, and gave me support.
All my family were free, yet in position we were not much above the poor
mujick. I used after a time to venture out of my hiding-place and meet
our brethren for prayer and praise; but it was at great hazard, and
oftentimes I had a narrow escape of being captured. At length, after we
had suffered years of persecution, a time of rest was awarded us, and we
fancied that we were to be allowed to worship our God as we judged best.
Still I dared not be seen in public, for I had refused to appear when
summoned, and I was looked upon as a political as well as a religious
offender.

"The mercy we were promised was but little mercy to us. We were to be
removed from the land of our birth, from our once happy homes, and to be
settled down, many hundred versts away, in a district between some
German colonies and Tartary. It was believed that our tenets would not
spread among the people by whom we were surrounded. Many hundreds of
families were thus turned out of their homes and compelled to settle in
this new region. The choice was given them of renouncing their faith or
going. Few hesitated. I at length came forth from my hiding-place and
joined my companions. We set to work assiduously to bring under
cultivation the wild country in which we were placed, and God prospered
our labours.

"Among the few of higher rank who belonged to us, Captain Martineff was
sent here. Sickness and long confinement had turned his hair
prematurely grey, and he looked an old man. He built himself a small
hut with a single chamber in it, and here he took up his abode, while he
used to labour with his own hands for his sustenance. His
fellow-villagers were all poor enough, but we all sought to assist him
and to take him food--without it, I believe at times that he would have
starved. He received our gifts thankfully, but never would take them
unless when he was absolutely in want of food. He had been much
respected when he was in the army, and the Emperor himself desired much
to bring him back to the world.