Note 5 — Chapter XLII · THE MIDDLE AMUR.

Another opportunity had occurred on the Upper Amur, on our meeting a steamer lugging an immense two-decked barge laden with seamen, who had finished their term of service in the Pacific, and were returning homewards with their wives and children. Their barge had the appearance of a huge Mississippi steamer loaded with passengers above and below, and as we approached they hailed us. Our captain was not then out of shallow water, and as he knew the commander of the approaching steamer he deemed it advisable to drop alongside and ask about the condition of the river, exchange a few kindly words, and perhaps drink with his brother navigator a glass of tea, or something stronger. I, too, went on board, and sold 20 New Testaments in as many minutes, distributing also several papers and books. I wished to make the captain a present of some New Testaments for the use of the crews of his two boats, but he preferred to buy them, and gave me 3½ roubles for 14 copies, to which I added some placards, etc. The captains, too, of the Zeya and the Ingoda bought some for their crews in preference to my giving them. I had, however, already nailed up some of my pictures in both cabins of the two boats, and placed in each a copy of the New Testament for the use of the passengers, as was done also for the boats by which we travelled on the Obi and the Kama.