Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 69 (Color Image)

0069	Among the Celestials : vol.1

CHAP. it.] THE RUSSIAN FRONTIER. 45

From Hunchun Mr. James had written to

the commander of the Russian post across the

frontier, saying that we were unprovided with

passports to travel in Russian territory ; but

that, if he would give us permission to do so,

we should like to visit Novo-kievsk. We then

started off towards Russian territory. Just as

we reached the frontier, we descried a couple of

horsemen trotting towards us, and as they drew

near, we saw that they were unmistakably

Cossacks. Neither of us had seen a mounted

Cossack before ; but their resemblance to all

the pictures one sees of them in illustrated

papers and books was evidence enough who

they were. There was the same rough,

shaggy-looking grey sheepskin cap, long over-

coats, high boots, whip, and rifle slung over the

back, that we knew so well from pictures.

They saluted, and gave Mr. James a letter

from Colonel Sokolowski, who commanded the

Russian post. The colonel said he would be

most happy to allow us to cross the frontier,

and that he hoped that we would visit his post

and accept the cordial but frugal hospitality

of a Cossack." We rode on, therefore, and at

about three miles from the frontier came across

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