TO
GLADYS

WHOSE OWN WORK SERVES AS
AN INSPIRATION

NOTE

In writing this story the author has been indebted, for suggestions of local color, to George Kennan’s illuminating article in the National Geographic Magazine, “An Island in the Sea of History,” to Stephen Graham’s fascinating book, A Vagabond in the Caucasus, and to Ruth Kedzie Wood’s excellent guide, The Tourist’s Russia.

CONTENTS

I.The Journey to Russia[1]
II.The Arrest[14]
III.The Flight down the Volga[26]
IV.An Involuntary Contribution to the Russian Army[39]
V.Night Prowlers[53]
VI.A Desperate Encounter[64]
VII.A Lesghian Jail[75]
VIII.An Escape[86]
IX.A Chase[101]
X.In Hiding[112]
XI.Without Water[125]
XII.Resting[139]
XIII.Their First Game[151]
XIV.Lesghian Hospitality[162]
XV.A Blockade[176]
XVI.Snowed Under[188]
XVII.An Arctic Camp[199]
XVIII.From Midwinter to Midsummer[211]
XIX.Good-bye to Russia[224]
XX.A Great Disaster[240]
XXI.Castaways[256]
XXII.A Rescue[270]