In the opinion of the iemschiks, should the travelers not be great lords or high functionaries, they were worthy of being so, if it was only for their generosity in the matter of "na vodkou." On the afternoon of the next day, the 23rd of July, the two carriages were not more than thirty versts from Ichim.

Suddenly Michael caught sight of a carriage--scarcely visible among the clouds of dust--preceding them along the road.

As his horses were evidently less fatigued than those of the other traveler, he would not be long in overtaking it.

This was neither a tarantass nor a telga, but a post-berlin, which looked as if it had made a long journey.

The postillion was thrashing his horses with all his might, and only kept them at a gallop by dint of abuse and blows.