About eleven o'clock I left the Variag and accompanied Captain Lund, the doctor, and Mr.Anassoff into the boat dancing at the side ladder.

Half an hour after we boarded the Morje she was under way, and we saw the officers and men of the corvette waving us farewell.
The Morje drew eight feet of water, and was admirably adapted to the sea coast service.

There were several vessels of this class in the Siberian fleet, and their special duty was to visit the ports of Kamchatka, North Eastern Siberia, and Manjouria, and act as tow boats along the Straits of Tartary.

The officers commanding them are sent from Russia, and generally remain ten years in this service.

At the end of that time, if they wish to retire they can do so and receive half-pay for the rest of their lives.