SAMARA TO ORSK. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
SAMARA TO ORSK-COfltinued. 
The steppes east of the Volga-Gloominess in winter-Their bare- 
ness of timber-Inconveniences of post route-Streams and rotten 
bridges-Delays at ferries-Peasant superstitions-Mud in vil- 
lages-Post-house-Travellers met-Imperial portraits-Image 
of saint- Village churches - Piety and superstition - Saints' 
days-Vodka-drinking-National intemperance-Hand-swipe for 
raising water- Bird-cots-Debateable ground between Europe 
and Asia. 
As I travelled into Asia in the early spring, while 
m'y return journey took place as winter was setting 
in, it is probable that my impressions of the great 
 
tracts east of the Volga may partake of the 
which the landscape usually presented on 
these occasions. The first journey was natui 
 
L 
f 
 
more cheerful of the two, for bright green 
 
grass sprouted through the remains of snow-drifts 
which were still seen on the steppes near Orenburg, 
and further east, about Orsk, the pasturages were 
covered with a thousand gay wild flowers. But mud