[3] A kind of rough travelling cart.
[4] The Russian peasant usually carries his axe behind him.
[5] The usual sleeping place of the Russian peasant.
CHAPTER III.
THE FORTRESS.
The fortress of Bailogorsk was situated about forty versts[1] from Orenburg. The road to it led along the steep bank of the Yaik.[2] The river was not yet frozen, and its leaden-coloured waves had a dark and melancholy aspect as they rose and fell between the dreary banks covered with the white snow. Beyond it stretched the Kirghis steppes. I sank into reflections, most of them of a gloomy nature. Garrison life had little attraction for me. I endeavoured to picture to myself Captain Mironoff, my future chief; and I imagined him to be a severe, ill-tempered old man, knowing nothing except what was connected with his duty, and ready to arrest me and put me on bread and water for the merest trifle.
In the meantime it began to grow dark, and we quickened our pace.
“Is it far to the fortress?” I inquired of our driver.
“Not far,” he replied, “you can see it yonder.”