The Arctic region north of Berezov-Obdorsk fair- Zirani-Fur-tax-Perfidy of Russian merchants- Division of the native population of Watahy-Chiefs of the tribes-The Prince of Obdorsk-Catherine II. Christmas-Masquerades-Visit from a party of masks -Custom of preserving wedding-clothes-New Year's New Year's Day-Letters from home-Evening party - Various games and songs-Judge Slobodzki Expelling the devils-The town in alarm-Arrival of Walk on a frosty day-Mode of preserving meat-Im- providence of the Ostiaks-Distressing case of a starving family-Cockroaches-Message from the Kierghes Khan-Going to communion-Easter re- flections and visits-Cause of blindness among the Beginning of a thaw Wild fowl Arrival of the birds-Shooting excursion-Native sport-Breaking Beginning of autumn-Walk on the banks of the Soswa -New street-Tameness of Berezovian dogs-En- Lieutenant Pim's proposed journey across Siberia— CHAPTER XVII. Arrival of a Chinownik-An evening party- Letters - 1 REVELATIONS OF SIBERIA. CHAPTER I. Fabulous account of the bear - Degeneracy of the Russians, and courage of the natives-Bear-huntingSuperstitious veneration of the bear-White bearsCeremonial observance of a husband's death-Winter aspect of Berezov-Ostiak costume-Probability of early communication between Siberia and North America. FROM the moment of the rumoured appearance of the terrible Bruin in this vicinity, nobody dared to stir beyond the precincts of the town; and whoever happened to possess a black cow was in extreme trepidation for the safety of his cattle. Still no one was bold enough to make |