Note 1 — Chapter XX · FROM KRASNOIARSK TO ALEXANDREFFSKY.

Owing to the formation of the hills about the town, Krasnoiarsk is more than ordinarily favoured with abundance of wind, which in winter blows the snow off the ground and stops sledging. One night during our stay it rained, and the streets were in a condition next morning such as I have never seen before or since. To speak of “puddles” would be a mockery, and “ponds” is barely the word to use; whilst to cross the street was to run imminent risk of losing one’s boots. Fortunately, however, there were droshkies at hand, and in these we waded through water nearly up to the horses’ knees.