e in the world. When
the vessel stopped, people rushed on board; I followed them. They were
all too busy about their own affairs to think of me. I passed on with a
number of mujicks into the fore part of the vessel, where we stood
huddled together like a flock of sheep in a pen. Everybody was talking,
or laughing, or making a noise of some sort. Several had swallowed more
vodka than their heads could stand, and were still more vociferous; but
the confusion added to my security. I talked away as fast as anybody
else, and tried to learn who people were, and struck up acquaintances
with them, and I was so busy in asking them questions, that no one
thought of asking me any. For several days we steamed on, living, and
eating, and sleeping on deck; but the weather was fine, and it mattered
not. I always have been happy in making friends wherever I have been,
and on this occasion I fell in with a merchant, whom, from his remarks,
I recognised as one of the Molokani. Although he took me by my dress
only for a humble mujick, he had at first addressed me kindly, and I
soon got into intimate conversation with him. He invited me to attend
on him at Nishni, where I might assist him in selling his goods. He
told me, also, that he thought he could succeed in procuring me a pass,
which would enable me to proceed on to Moscow. He had been often to
Nishni, also more than once to Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and through
many other parts of Russia. As he knew somewhat of the world,
therefore, his advice was of much value. By degrees I learned to place
confidence in him, and told him part of my history. He much applauded
my plan of petitioning the Emperor, but he advised me, if possible, to
gain the friendship of some Englishmen who were going to Moscow, and
would allow me to accompany them. In that way the pass he could procure
me would be unquestioned, and they would afterwards probably assist me
in gaining access to the Emperor. He, too, would undoubtedly be willing
to appear magnanimous in the sight of foreigners, and be more ready to
grant my request.

"There, gentlemen, I have told you my history; far more of it, I own,
than I at first purposed. My object in so doing, you have, I doubt not,
divined. I earnestly beseech you to allow me to accompany you to
Moscow, to remain with you while you are there, and to assist me in
getting access to the Emperor. Every word I have told you is true. You
will run none of the ri