,P>T #c3 ,SIB]IA1 ,SECTION #a 

#ahiiahii 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,PET] ,KROPOTK9 

,TEXT 3 

  

,PHOTO BY B5MACASKILL1,C,C ,B,Y ,LIC5SE ,9 ! MIDDLE ( ,MAY1 #a#h#f#b1 A FEW WEEKS BE=E \R PROMOTION1 ,I WAS TOLD ONE DAY BY ! CAPTA9 TO MAKE UP ! F9AL LI/ ( ! REGIM5TS :I* EA* ( US 9T5D$ TO JO94 ,WE HAD ! *OICE ( ALL ! REGIM5TS ( ! ,GU>D1 :I* WE C\LD 5T] ) ! FIR/ (FIC]'S GRADE1 & ( ! ,>MY ) ! ?IRD GRADE ( LIEUT5ANT4 ,I TOOK A LI/ ( \R =M & W5T ! R\NDS ( MY COMRADES4 ,EV]Y ONE KNEW WELL ! REGIM5T HE WAS GO+ TO JO91 MO/ ( !M ALREADY WE>+ 9 ! G>D5 ! (FIC]'S CAP ( ?AT REGIM5T4 

0,H] ,MAJE/Y'S ,CUIRASSI]S10 0,! ,BODY ,GU>D ,PREOBRAZH5SKY10 0 ,! ,HORSE ,GU>DS10 W]E ! REPLIES :I* ,I 9SCRIB$4 

0,BUT Y\1 ,KROPOTK98 ,! >TILL]Y8 ,! ,COSSACKS80 ,I WAS ASK$ ON ALL SIDES4 ,I C\LD NOT /& !SE QUE/IONS1 & AT LA/1 ASK+ A COMRADE TO COMPLETE ! LI/1 ,I W5T TO MY ROOM TO ?9K ONCE MORE OV] MY F9AL DECISION4 

,?AT ,I %\LD NOT 5T] A REGIM5T ( ! ,GU>D1 & GIVE MY LIFE TO P>ADES & C\RT BALLS1 ,I HAD SETTL$ LONG AGO4 ,MY DREAM WAS TO 5T] ! UNIV]SITY1 --- TO /UDY1 TO LIVE ! /UD5T'S LIFE4 ,?AT MEANT1 ( C\RSE1 TO BREAK 5TIRELY ) MY FA!R1 :OSE AMBITIONS W]E QUITE DIFF]5T1 & TO RELY = MY LIV+ UPON :AT ,I MI<T E>N BY MEANS ( LESSONS4 ,?\S&S ( ,RUSSIAN /UD5TS LIVE 9 ?AT WAY1 & SU* A LIFE DID NOT FRI<T5 ME 9 ! LEA/4 ,BUT H[ %\LD ,I GET OV] ! FIR/ /EPS 9 ?AT LIFE8 ,9 A FEW WEEKS ,I %\LD HAVE TO LEAVE ! S*OOL1 TO DON MY [N CLO!S1 TO HAVE MY [N LODG+1 & ,I SAW NO POSSIBILITY ( PROVID+ EV5 ! LITTLE MONEY :I* W\LD BE REQUIR$ = ! MO/ MODE/ />T4 ,!N1 FAIL+ ! UNIV]SITY1 ,I HAD BE5 (T5 ?9K+ ( LATE ?AT ,I C\LD 5T] ! >TILL]Y ACADEMY4 ,?AT W\LD FREE ME = TWO YE>S FROM ! DRUDG]Y ( MILIT>Y S]VICE1 &1 BESIDES ! MILIT>Y SCI5CES1 ,I C\LD /UDY MA!MATICS & PHYSICS4 ,BUT ! W9D ( REACTION WAS BL[+1 & ! (FIC]S 9 ! ACADEMIES HAD BE5 TREAT$ DUR+ ! PREVI\S W9T] AS IF !Y W]E S*OOLBOYS2 9 TWO ACADEMIES !Y HAD REVOLT$1 & 9 ONE ( !M !Y HAD LEFT 9 A BODY4 

,MY ?\<TS TURN$ MORE & MORE T[>D ,SIB]IA4 ,! ,AMUR REGION HAD REC5TLY BE5 ANNEX$ BY ,RUSSIA2 ,I HAD READ ALL AB\T ?AT ,MISSISSIPPI ( ! ,EA/1 ! M\NTA9S IT PI]CES1 ! SUBTROPICAL VEGETATION ( ITS TRIBUT>Y1 ! ,USURI1 & MY ?\<TS W5T FUR!R1 --- TO ! TROPICAL REGIONS :I* ,HUMBOLDT HAD DESCRIB$1 & TO ! GREAT G5]ALIZATIONS ( ,RITT]1 :I* ,I DELI<T$ TO READ4 ,BESIDES1 ,I REASON$1 !RE IS 9 ,SIB]IA AN IMM5SE FIELD = ! APPLICATION ( ! GREAT RE=MS :I* HAVE BE5 MADE OR >E COM+3 ! WORK]S MU/ BE FEW !RE1 & ,I %ALL F9D A FIELD ( ACTION TO MY TA/ES4 ,! WOR/ WAS ?AT ,I %\LD HAVE TO SEP>ATE FROM MY BRO!R ,ALEX&]2 BUT HE HAD BE5 COMPELL$ TO LEAVE ! ,UNIV]SITY ( ,MOSC[ AFT] ! LA/ DISORD]S1 & 9 A YE> OR TWO1 ,I GUESS$ 7& GUESS$ RI<TLY71 9 ONE WAY OR ANO!R WE %\LD BE TOGE!R4 ,!RE REMA9$ ONLY ! *OICE ( ! REGIM5T 9 ! ,AMUR REGION4 ,! ,USURI ATTRACT$ ME MO/2 BUT1 ALAS6 !RE WAS ON ! ,USURI ONLY ONE REGIM5T ( 9FANTRY ,COSSACKS4 ,A ,COSSACK NOT ON HORSEBACK1 --- ?AT WAS TOO BAD = ! BOY ?AT ,I /ILL WAS1 & ,I SETTL$ UPON 0! M\NT$ ,COSSACKS ( ! ,AMUR40 

,?IS ,I WROTE ON ! LI/1 TO ! GREAT CON/]NATION ( ALL MY COMRADES4 0,IT IS SO F>10 !Y SAID1 :ILE MY FRI5D ,DAUR(F1 SEIZ+ ! ,(FIC]S' ,H&BOOK1 READ \T ( IT1 TO ! HORROR ( ALL PRES5T3 0,UNI=M1 BLACK1 ) A PLA9 R$ COLL> )\T BRAIDS2 FUR BONNET MADE ( DOG'S FUR OR ANY O!R FUR2 TR\S]S1 GRAY40 

0,ONLY LOOK AT ?AT UNI=M60 HE EXCLAIM$4 0,BO!R ! CAP6 --- Y\ CAN WE> ONE ( WOLF OR BE> FUR2 BUT ?9K ONLY ( ! TR\S]S6 ,GRAY1 LIKE A SOLDI] ( ! ,TRA960 ,! CON/]NATION REA*$ ITS CLIMAX AFT] ?AT READ+4 

,I JOK$ AS BE/ ,I C\LD1 & TOOK ! LI/ TO ! CAPTA94 

0,KROPOTK9 MU/ ALWAYS HAVE HIS JOKE60 HE CRI$4 0,DID ,I NOT TELL Y\ ?AT ! LI/ MU/ BE S5T TO ! GR& DUKE TO-DAY80 

,A/ONI%M5T & PITY W]E DEPICT$ ON HIS FACE :5 ,I TOLD HIM ?AT ! LI/ REALLY /AT$ MY 9T5TION4 

,H[EV]1 NEXT DAY1 MY RESOLUTION ALMO/ GAVE WAY :5 ,I SAW H[ ,KLASOVSKY TOOK MY DECISION4 ,HE HAD HOP$ TO SEE ME 9 ! UNIV]SITY1 & HAD GIV5 ME LESSONS 9 ,LAT9 & ,GREEK = ?AT PURPOSE2 & ,I DID NOT D>E TO TELL HIM :AT REALLY PREV5T$ ME FROM 5T]+ ! UNIV]SITY3 ,I KN[ ?AT IF ,I TOLD HIM ! TRU?1 HE W\LD (F] TO %>E ) ME ! LITTLE ?AT HE HAD4 

,!N MY FA!R TELEGRAPH$ TO ! DIRECTOR ?AT HE =BADE MY GO+ TO ,SIB]IA2 & ! MATT] WAS REPORT$ TO ! GR& DUKE1 :O WAS ! *IEF ( ! MILIT>Y S*OOLS4 ,I WAS CALL$ BE=E HIS ASSI/ANT1 & TALK$ AB\T ! VEGETATION ( ! ,AMUR & LIKE ?+S1 BECAUSE ,I HAD /RONG REASONS = BELIEV+ ?AT IF ,I SAID ,I WANT$ TO GO TO ! UNIV]SITY1 & C\LD NOT AF=D IT1 A BURS>Y W\LD BE (F]$ TO ME BY SOME ONE ( ! IMP]IAL FAMILY1 --- AN (F] :I* BY ALL MEANS ,I WI%$ TO AVOID4 

,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY H[ ALL ?IS W\LD HAVE 5D$1 BUT AN EV5T ( MU* IMPORTANCE --- ! GREAT FIRE AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG --- BR\<T AB\T 9 AN 9DIRECT WAY A SOLUTION ( MY DIFFICULTIES4 

,ON ! ,MONDAY AFT] ,TR9ITY --- ! DAY ( ! ,HOLY ,<O/1 :I* WAS ?AT YE> ON ,MAY #b#f1 ,OLD ,/YLE --- A T]RIBLE FIRE BROKE \T 9 ! SO-CALL$ ,APRAX9 ,DVOR4 ,! ,APRAX9 ,DVOR WAS AN IMM5SE SPACE1 MORE ?AN HALF A MILE SQU>E1 :I* WAS 5TIRELY COV]$ ) SMALL %OPS1 --- M]E *ANTIES ( WOOD1 --- :]E ALL SORTS ( SECOND & ?IRD H& GOODS W]E SOLD4 ,OLD FURNITURE & B$D+1 SECONDH& DRESSES & BOOKS1 P\R$ 9 FROM EV]Y QU>T] ( ! CITY1 & W]E /OR$ 9 ! SMALL *ANTIES1 9 ! PASSAGES BETWE5 !M1 & EV5 ON !IR RO(S4 ,?IS ACCUMULATION ( 9FLAMMABLE MAT]IALS HAD AT ITS BACK ! ,M9I/RY ( ! ,9T]IOR & ITS >*IVES1 :]E ALL ! DOCUM5TS CONC]N+ ! LIB]ATION ( ! S]FS W]E KEPT2 & 9 ! FRONT ( IT1 :I* WAS L9$ BY A R[ ( %OPS BUILT ( /ONE1 WAS ! /ATE ,BANK4 ,A N>R[ LANE1 ALSO BORD]$ ) /ONE %OPS1 SEP>AT$ ! ,APRAX9 ,DVOR FROM A W+ ( ! ,CORPS ( ,PAGES1 :I* WAS OCCUPI$ BY GROC]Y & OIL %OPS 9 ITS L[] /ORY1 & HAD ! AP>TM5TS ( ! (FIC]S 9 ITS UPP] /ORY4 ,ALMO/ OPPOSITE ! ,M9I/RY ( ! ,9T]IOR1 ON ! O!R SIDE ( A CANAL1 !RE W]E EXT5SIVE TIMB] Y>DS4 ,?IS LABYR9? ( SMALL *ANTIES & ! TIMB] Y>DS OPPOSITE TOOK FIRE ALMO/ AT ! SAME MOM5T1 AT F\R O'CLOCK 9 ! AFT]NOON4 

,IF !RE HAD BE5 W9D ON ?AT DAY1 HALF ! CITY W\LD HAVE P]I%$ 9 ! FLAMES1 9CLUD+ ! ,BANK1 SEV]AL ,M9I/RIES1 ! ,GO/9OI ,DVOR 7ANO!R GREAT BLOCK ( %OPS ON ! ,NEVSKY ,PROSPEKT71 ! ,CORPS ( ,PAGES1 & ! ,NATIONAL ,LIBR>Y4 

,I WAS ?AT AFT]NOON AT ! ,CORPS1 D9+ AT ! H\SE ( ONE ( \R (FIC]S1 & WE DA%$ TO ! SPOT AS SOON AS WE SAW FROM ! W9D[S ! FIR/ CL\DS ( SMOKE RIS+ 9 \R IMM$IATE NEI<BORHOOD4 ,! SI<T WAS T]RIFIC4 ,LIKE AN IMM5SE SNAKE1 RATTL+ & :I/L+1 ! FIRE ?REW ITSELF 9 ALL DIRECTIONS1 RI<T & LEFT1 5VELOP$ ! *ANTIES1 & SUDD5LY ROSE 9 A HUGE COLUMN1 D>T+ \T ITS :I/L+ TONGUES TO LICK UP MORE *ANTIES ) !IR CONT5TS4 ,:IRLW9DS ( SMOKE & FIRE W]E =M$2 & :5 ! :IRLS ( BURN+ FEA!RS FROM ! B$D+ %OPS BEGAN TO SWEEP AB\T ! SPACE1 IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO REMA9 ANY LONG] 9SIDE ! BURN+ M>KET4 ,! :OLE HAD TO BE AB&ON$4 

,! AU?ORITIES HAD 5TIRELY LO/ !IR HEADS4 ,!RE WAS NOT1 AT ?AT TIME1 A S+LE /EAM FIRE 5G9E 9 ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 & IT WAS WORKM5 :O SUGGE/$ BR++ ONE FROM ! IRON WORKS ( ,KOLP9O1 SITUAT$ TW5TY MILES BY RAIL FROM ! CAPITAL4 ,:5 ! 5G9E REA*$ ! RAILWAY /ATION1 IT WAS ! PEOPLE :O DRAGG$ IT TO ! CONFLAGRATION4 ,( ITS F\R L9ES ( HOSE1 ONE WAS DAMAG$ BY AN UNKN[N H&1 & ! O!R ?REE W]E DIRECT$ UPON ! ,M9I/RY ( ! ,9T]IOR4 

,! GR& DUKES CAME TO ! SPOT & W5T AWAY AGA94 ,LATE 9 ! EV5+1 :5 ! ,BANK WAS \T ( DANG]1 ! ,EMP]OR ALSO MADE HIS APPE>ANCE1 & SAID1 :AT EV]Y ONE KNEW ALREADY1 ?AT ! ,CORPS ( ,PAGES WAS N[ ! KEY ( ! BATTLE1 & MU/ BE SAV$ BY ALL MEANS4 ,IT WAS EVID5T ?AT IF ! ,CORPS HAD TAK5 FIRE1 ! ,NATIONAL ,LIBR>Y & HALF ( ! ,NEVSKY ,PROSPEKT W\LD HAVE GONE4 

,IT WAS ! CR[D1 ! PEOPLE1 :O DID EV]Y?+ TO PREV5T ! FIRE 
FROM SPREAD+ FUR!R & FUR!R4 ,!RE WAS A MOM5T :5 ! ,BANK 
WAS S]I\SLY M5AC$4 ,! GOODS CLE>$ FROM ! %OPS OPPOSITE W]E 
?R[N 9TO ! ,SADOVAYA /REET1 & LAY 9 GREAT HEAPS UPON ! WALLS 
( ! LEFT W+ ( ! ,BANK4 ,! >TICLES :I* COV]$ ! /REET 
ITSELF CONT9UALLY TOOK FIRE1 BUT ! PEOPLE1 ROA/+ !RE 9 AN 
ALMO/ UNBE>ABLE HEAT1 PREV5T$ ! FLAMES FROM BE+ COMMUNICAT$ TO 
! PILES ( GOODS ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,!Y SWORE AT ALL ! 
AU?ORITIES1 SEE+ ?AT !RE WAS NOT A PUMP ON ! SPOT4 0,:AT >E 
!Y ALL DO+ AT ! ,M9I/RY ( ! ,9T]IOR1 :5 ! ,BANK & ! 
,F\NDL+S' ,H\SE >E GO+ TO TAKE FIRE8 ,!Y HAVE ALL LO/ !IR 
HEADS60 0,:]E IS ! *IEF ( POLICE ?AT HE CANNOT S5D A FIRE BRIGADE 
TO ! ,BANK80 !Y SAID4 ,I KNEW ! *IEF1 ,G5]AL ,ANN5K(F1 
P]SONALLY1 AS ,I HAD MET HIM ONCE OR TWICE AT \R SUB-9SPECTOR'S H\SE1 
:]E HE CAME ) HIS BRO!R1 ! WELL-KN[N LIT]>Y CRITIC1 & ,I 
VOLUNTE]$ TO F9D HIM4 ,I F\ND HIM1 9DE$1 WALK+ AIMLESSLY 9 A 
/REET2 & :5 ,I REPORT$ TO HIM ! /ATE ( AFFAIRS1 9CR$IBLE 
?\< IT MAY SEEM1 IT WAS TO ME1 A BOY1 ?AT HE GAVE ! ORD] TO MOVE 
ONE ( ! FIRE BRIGADES FROM ! ,M9I/RY TO ! ,BANK4 ,I EXCLAIM$1 ( 
C\RSE1 ?AT ! M5 W\LD NEV] LI/5 TO ME1 & ,I ASK$ = A WRITT5 
ORD]2 BUT ,G5]AL ,ANN5K(F HAD NOT1 OR PRET5D$ NOT TO HAVE1 A SCRAP 
( PAP]1 SO ?AT ,I REQUE/$ ONE ( \R (FIC]S1 ,L4 ,L4 ,GOSSE1 TO COME 
) ME TO TRANSMIT ! ORD]4 ,WE AT LA/ PREVAIL$ UPON ! CAPTA9 ( 
ONE FIRE BRIGADE--:O SWORE AT ALL ! WORLD & AT HIS *IEFS--TO MOVE 
HIS M5 TO ! ,BANK4 

,! ,M9I/RY ITSELF WAS NOT ON FIRE2 IT WAS ! >*IVES :I* W]E BURN+1 & MANY BOYS1 *IEFLY CADETS & PAGES1 TOGE!R ) A NUMB] ( CL]KS1 C>RI$ BUNDLES ( PAP]S \T ( ! BURN+ BUILD+ & LOAD$ !M 9TO CABS4 ,(T5 A BUNDLE W\LD FALL \T1 & ! W9D1 TAK+ POSSESSION ( ITS LEAVES1 W\LD /REW !M AB\T ! SQU>E4 ,?R\< ! SMOKE A S9I/] FIRE C\LD BE SE5 RAG+ 9 ! TIMB] Y>DS ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! CANAL4 

,! N>R[ LANE :I* SEP>AT$ ! ,CORPS ( ,PAGES FROM ! ,APRAX9 ,DVOR WAS 9 A DEPLORABLE /ATE4 ,! %OPS :I* L9$ IT W]E FULL ( BRIM/ONE1 OIL1 TURP5T9E1 & ! LIKE1 & IMM5SE TONGUES ( FIRE ( MANY HUES1 ?R[N \T BY EXPLOSIONS1 LICK$ ! RO(S ( ! W+ ( ! ,CORPS1 :I* BORD]$ ! LANE ON ITS O!R SIDE4 ,! W9D[S & ! PILA/]S UND] ! RO( BEGAN ALREADY TO SMOLD]1 :ILE ! PAGES & SOME CADETS1 AFT] HAV+ CLE>$ ! LODG+S1 PUMP$ WAT] ?R\< A SMALL FIRE 5G9E1 :I* RECEIV$ AT LONG 9T]VALS SCANTY SUPPLIES FROM OLD-FA%ION$ B>RELS :I* HAD TO BE FILL$ ) LADLES4 ,A C\PLE ( FIREM5 :O /OOD ON ! HOT RO( CONT9UALLY %\T$ \T1 0,WAT]6 ,WAT]60 9 TONES :I* W]E SIMPLY HE>T-R5D+4 ,I C\LD NOT /& !SE CRIES1 & ,I RU%$ 9TO ! ,SADOVAYA /REET1 :]E BY %E] =CE ,I COMPELL$ ! DRIV] ( ONE ( ! B>RELS BELONG+ TO A POLICE FIRE-BRIGADE TO 5T] \R Y>D1 & TO SUPPLY \R PUMP ) WAT]4 ,BUT :5 ,I ATTEMPT$ TO DO ! SAME ONCE MORE1 ,I MET ) AN ABSOLUTE REFUSAL FROM ! DRIV]4 0,I %ALL BE C\RT-M>TIAL$10 HE SAID1 0IF ,I OBEY Y\40 ,ON ALL SIDES MY COMRADES URG$ ME1 0,GO & F9D SOMEBODY1 --- ! *IEF ( ! POLICE1 ! GR& DUKE1 ANY ONE1 --- & TELL !M ?AT )\T WAT] WE %ALL HAVE TO AB&ON ! ,CORPS TO ! FIRE40 0,\<T WE NOT TO REPORT TO \R DIRECTOR80 SOMEBODY W\LD REM>K4 0,BO!R ! :OLE LOT6 Y\ WON'T F9D !M ) A LANT]N4 ,GO & DO IT Y\RSELF40 

,I W5T ONCE MORE 9 SE>* ( ,G5]AL ,ANN5K(F1 & WAS AT LA/ TOLD ?AT HE MU/ BE 9 ! Y>D ( ! ,BANK4 ,SEV]AL (FIC]S /OOD !RE >\ND A G5]AL 9 :OM ,I RECOGNIZ$ ! GOV]NOR-G5]AL ( ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 ,PR9CE ,SUVOR(F4 ,! GATE1 H[EV]1 WAS LOCK$1 & A ,BANK (FICIAL :O /OOD AT IT REFUS$ TO LET ME 94 ,I 9SI/$1 M5AC$1 & F9ALLY WAS ADMITT$4 ,!N ,I W5T /RAI<T TO ,PR9CE ,SUVOR(F1 :O WAS WRIT+ A NOTE ON ! %\LD] ( HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP4 

,:5 ,I REPORT$ TO HIM ! /ATE ( AFFAIRS1 HIS FIR/ QUE/ION WAS1 
0,:O HAS S5T Y\80 0,NOBODY --- ! COMRADES10 WAS MY REPLY4 0,SO Y\ 
SAY ! ,CORPS WILL SOON BE ON FIRE80 0,YES40 ,HE />T$ AT ONCE1 &1 
SEIZ+ 9 ! /REET AN EMPTY HATBOX1 COV]$ HIS HEAD ) IT1 & RAN 
FULL SPE$ TO ! LANE4 ,EMPTY B>RELS1 /RAW1 WOOD5 BOXES1 & ! 
LIKE COV]$ ! LANE1 BETWE5 ! FLAMES ( ! OIL %OPS ON ! ONE 
SIDE & ! BUILD+S ( \R ,CORPS1 ( :I* ! W9D[ FRAMES & ! 
PILA/]S W]E SMOLD]+1 ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,PR9CE ,SUVOR(F 
ACT$ RESOLUTELY4 0,!RE IS A COMPANY ( SOLDI]S 9 Y\R G>D510 HE 
SAID TO ME3 0TAKE A DETA*M5T & CLE> ?AT LANE--AT ONCE4 ,A HOSE FROM 
! /EAM 5G9E WILL BE BR\<T H]E IMM$IATELY4 ,KEEP IT PLAY+4 ,I 
TRU/ IT TO Y\ P]SONALLY40 

,IT WAS NOT EASY TO MOVE ! SOLDI]S \T ( \R G>D54 ,!Y HAD CLE>$ ! B>RELS & BOXES ( !IR CONT5TS1 & ) !IR POCKETS FULL ( C(FEE1 & ) CONICAL LUMPS ( SUG> CONCEAL$ 9 !IR KEPIS1 !Y W]E 5JOY+ ! W>M NI<T UND] ! TREES1 CRACK+ NUTS4 ,NO ONE C>$ TO MOVE TILL AN (FIC] 9T]F]$4 ,! LANE WAS CLE>$1 & ! PUMP KEPT GO+4 ,! COMRADES W]E DELI<T$1 & EV]Y TW5TY M9UTES WE RELIEV$ ! M5 :O DIRECT$ ! JET ( WAT]1 /&+ BY !IR SIDE 9 A T]RIBLE SCOR*+ HEAT4 

,AB\T ?REE OR F\R 9 ! MORN+ IT WAS EVID5T ?AT B\NDS HAD BE5 PUT TO ! FIRE2 ! DANG] ( ITS SPREAD+ TO ! ,CORPS WAS OV]1 & AFT] HAV+ QU5*$ \R ?IR/ ) HALF A DOZ5 GLASSES ( TEA1 9 A SMALL 0:ITE 9N0 :I* HAPP5$ TO BE OP51 WE FELL1 HALF DEAD FROM FATIGUE1 ON ! FIR/ B$ ?AT WE F\ND UNOCCUPI$ 9 ! HOSPITAL ( ! ,CORPS4 

,NEXT MORN+ ,I WOKE UP E>LY & W5T TO SEE ! SITE ( ! CONFLAGRATION4 ,ON MY RETURN TO ! ,CORPS ,I MET ! ,GR& ,DUKE ,MIKHAEL1 :OM ,I ACCOMPANI$1 AS WAS MY DUTY1 ON HIS R\ND4 ,! PAGES1 ) !IR FACES QUITE BLACK FROM ! SMOKE1 ) SWOLL5 EYES & 9FLAM$ LIDS1 SOME ( !M ) !IR HAIR BURN$1 RAIS$ !IR HEADS FROM ! PILL[S4 ,IT WAS H>D TO RECOGNIZE !M4 ,!Y W]E PR\D1 ?\<1 ( FEEL+ ?AT !Y HAD NOT BE5 M]ELY 0:ITE H&S10 & HAD WORK$ AS H>D AS ANY ONE ELSE4 

,?IS VISIT ( ! GR& DUKE SETTL$ MY DIFFICULTIES4 ,HE ASK$ ME :Y ,I CONCEIV$ ?AT FANCY ( GO+ TO ! ,AMUR1 --- :E!R ,I HAD FRI5DS !RE1 :E!R ! GOV]NOR-G5]AL KNEW ME2 & LE>N+ ?AT ,I HAD NO RELATIVES 9 ,SIB]IA1 & KNEW NOBODY !RE1 HE EXCLAIM$1 0,BUT H[ >E Y\ GO+1 !N8 ,!Y MAY V5D Y\ TO A LONELY ,COSSACK VILLAGE4 ,:AT WILL Y\ DO !RE8 ,I HAD BETT] WRITE AB\T Y\ TO ! GOV]NOR-G5]AL1 TO RECOMM5D Y\40 

,AFT] SU* AN (F] ,I WAS SURE ?AT MY FA!R'S OBJECTIONS W\LD BE REMOV$1 --- & SO IT PROV$4 ,I WAS FREE TO GO TO ,SIB]IA4 

,?IS GREAT CONFLAGRATION BECAME A TURN+-PO9T NOT ONLY 9 ! POLICY ( ,ALEX&] ,I,I41 BUT ALSO 9 ! HI/ORY ( ,RUSSIA = ?AT P>T ( ! C5TURY4 ,?AT IT WAS NOT A M]E ACCID5T WAS SELF-EVID5T4 ,TR9ITY & ! DAY ( ! ,HOLY ,<O/ >E GREAT HOLIDAYS 9 ,RUSSIA1 & !RE WAS NOBODY 9SIDE ! M>KET EXCEPT A FEW WAT*M52 BESIDES1 ! ,APRAX9 M>KET & ! TIMB] Y>DS TOOK FIRE AT ! SAME TIME1 & ! CONFLAGRATION AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG WAS FOLL[$ BY SIMIL> DISA/]S 9 SEV]AL PROV9CIAL T[NS4 ,! FIRE WAS LIT BY SOMEBODY1 BUT BY :OM8 ,?IS QUE/ION REMA9S UNANSW]$ TO ! PRES5T TIME4 

,KATK(F1 ! EX-,:IG1 :O WAS 9SPIR$ ) P]SONAL HATR$ ( ,H]Z51 & ESPECIALLY ( ,BAKUN91 ) :OM HE HAD ONCE TO FI<T A DUEL1 ON ! V]Y DAY AFT] ! FIRE ACCUS$ ! ,POLES & ! ,RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONI/S ( BE+ ! CAUSE ( IT2 & ?AT OP9ION PREVAIL$ AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG & AT ,MOSC[4 

,POL& WAS PREP>+ !N = ! REVOLUTION :I* BROKE \T 9 ! FOLL[+ ,JANU>Y1 & ! SECRET REVOLUTION>Y GOV]NM5T HAD CONCLUD$ AN ALLIANCE ) ! ,LONDON REFUGEES2 IT HAD ITS M5 9 ! V]Y HE>T ( ! ,/4 ,PET]SBURG ADM9I/RATION4 ,ONLY A %ORT TIME AFT] ! CONFLAGRATION OCCURR$1 ! LORD LIEUT5ANT ( ,POL&1 ,C\NT ,LUD]S1 WAS %OT AT BY A ,RUSSIAN (FIC]2 & :5 ! ,GR& ,DUKE ,CON/ANT9E WAS NOM9AT$ 9 HIS PLACE 7) ! 9T5TION1 IT WAS SAID1 ( MAK+ ,POL& A SEP>ATE K+DOM = ,CON/ANT9E71 HE ALSO WAS IMM$IATELY %OT AT1 ON ,JUNE #b#f4 ,SIMIL> ATTEMPTS W]E MADE 9 ,AUGU/ AGA9/ ! ,M>QUIS ,WIELEPOLSKY1 ! ,POLI% LEAD] ( ! PRO-,RUSSIAN ,UNION P>TY4 ,NAPOLEON ,I,I,I4 MA9TA9$ AMONG ! ,POLES ! HOPE ( AN >M$ 9T]V5TION 9 FAVOR ( !IR 9DEP5D5CE4 ,9 SU* CONDITIONS1 JUDG+ FROM ! ORD9>Y N>R[ MILIT>Y /&PO9T1 TO DE/ROY ! ,BANK ( ,RUSSIA & SEV]AL ,M9I/RIES1 & TO SPREAD A PANIC 9 ! CAPITAL1 MI<T HAVE BE5 CONSID]$ A GOOD PLAN ( W>F>E2 BUT !RE NEV] WAS ! SLI<TE/ SCRAP ( EVID5CE =? COM+ TO SUPPORT ?IS HYPO!SIS4 

,ON ! O!R SIDE1 ! ADVANC$ P>TIES 9 ,RUSSIA SAW ?AT NO HOPE C\LD ANY LONG] BE PLAC$ 9 ,ALEX&]'S RE=MATORY 9ITIATIVE3 HE WAS CLE>LY DRIFT+ 9TO ! REACTION>Y CAMP4 ,TO M5 ( =E?\<T IT WAS EVID5T ?AT ! LIB]ATION ( ! S]FS1 UND] ! CONDITIONS ( R$EMPTION :I* W]E IMPOS$ UPON !M1 MEANT !IR C]TA9 RU91 & REVOLUTION>Y PROCLAMATIONS W]E ISSU$ 9 ,MAY1 AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 CALL+ ! PEOPLE & ! >MY TO A G5]AL REVOLT1 :ILE ! $UCAT$ CLASSES W]E ASK$ TO 9SI/ UPON ! NECESSITY ( A NATIONAL CONV5TION4 ,UND] SU* CIRCUM/ANCES1 TO DISORGANIZE ! MA*9E ( ! GOV]NM5T MI<T HAVE 5T]$ 9TO ! PLANS ( SOME REVOLUTIONI/S4 

,F9ALLY1 ! 9DEF9ITE *>ACT] ( ! EMANCIPATION HAD PRODUC$ A GREAT DEAL ( F]M5TATION AMONG ! PEASANTS1 :O CON/ITUTE A CONSID]ABLE P>T ( ! POPULATION 9 ALL ,RUSSIAN CITIES2 & ?R\< ALL ! HI/ORY ( ,RUSSIA1 EV]Y TIME SU* A F]M5TATION HAS BEGUN1 IT HAS RESULT$ 9 ANONYM\S LETT]S =ETELL+ FIRES1 & EV5TUALLY 9 9C5DI>ISM4 

,IT WAS POSSIBLE ?AT ! IDEA ( SETT+ ! ,APRAX9 M>KET ON FIRE MI<T OCCUR TO ISOLAT$ M5 9 ! REVOLUTION>Y CAMP1 BUT NEI!R ! MO/ SE>*+ 9QUIRIES NOR ! :OLESALE >RE/S :I* BEGAN ALL OV] ,RUSSIA & ,POL& IMM$IATELY AFT] ! FIRE REVEAL$ ! SLI<TE/ 9DICATION ?AT SU* WAS REALLY ! CASE4 ,IF ANY?+ ( ! SORT HAD BE5 F\ND1 ! REACTION>Y P>TY W\LD HAVE MADE CAPITAL \T ( IT4 ,MANY REM9ISC5CES & VOLUMES ( CORRESPOND5CE FROM ?OSE TIMES HAVE S9CE BE5 PUBLI%$1 BUT !Y CONTA9 NO H9T :ATEV] 9 SUPPORT ( ?IS SUSPICION4 

,ON ! CONTR>Y1 :5 SIMIL> CONFLAGRATIONS BROKE \T 9 SEV]AL T[NS ON ! ,VOLGA1 & ESPECIALLY AT ,S>AT(F & :5 ,ZHDAN(F1 A MEMB] ( ! ,S5ATE1 WAS S5T BY ! ,CZ> TO MAKE A SE>*+ 9QUIRY1 HE RETURN$ ) ! FIRM CONVICTION ?AT ! CONFLAGRATION AT ,S>AT(F WAS ! WORK ( ! REACTION>Y P>TY4 ,!RE WAS AMONG ?AT P>TY A G5]AL BELIEF ?AT IT W\LD BE POSSIBLE TO 9DUCE ,ALEX&] ,I,I4 TO PO/PONE ! F9AL ABOLITION ( S]FDOM1 :I* WAS TO TAKE PLACE ON ,FEBRU>Y #a#i1 #a#h#f#c4 ,!Y KNEW ! WEAKNESS ( HIS *>ACT]1 & IMM$IATELY AFT] ! GREAT FIRE AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 !Y BEGAN A VIOL5T CAMPAIGN = PO/PONEM5T1 & = ! REVISION ( ! EMANCIPATION LAW 9 ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS4 ,IT WAS RUMOR$ 9 WELL-9=M$ LEGAL CIRCLES ?AT ,S5ATOR ,ZHDAN(F WAS 9 FACT RETURN+ ) POSITIVE PRO(S ( ! CULPABILITY ( ! REACTION>IES AT ,S>AT(F BUT HE DI$ ON HIS WAY BACK1 HIS PORTFOLIO DISAPPE>$1 & IT HAS NEV] BE5 F\ND4 

,BE IT AS IT MAY1 ! ,APRAX9 FIRE HAD ! MO/ DEPLORABLE CONSEQU5CES4 ,AFT] IT ,ALEX&] ,I,I4 SURR5D]$ TO ! REACTION>IES1 & --- :AT WAS /ILL WORSE --- ! PUBLIC OP9ION ( ?AT P>T ( SOCIETY AT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG1 & ESPECIALLY AT ,MOSC[1 :I* C>RI$ MO/ WEI<T ) ! GOV]NM5T SUDD5LY ?REW (F ITS LIB]AL G>B1 & TURN$ AGA9/ NOT ONLY ! MORE ADVANC$ SECTION ( ! RE=M P>TY1 BUT EV5 AGA9/ ITS MOD]ATE W+4 ,A FEW DAYS AFT] ! CONFLAGRATION1 ,I W5T ON ,SUNDAY TO SEE MY C\S91 ! AIDE-DE-CAMP ( ! ,EMP]OR1 9 :OSE AP>TM5T ,I HAD (T5 SE5 ! ,HORSE ,GU>D (FIC]S 9 SYMPA?Y ) ,*]NY%EVSKY2 MY C\S9 HIMSELF HAD BE5 UP TILL !N AN ASSIDU\S READ] ( 0,! ,CONTEMPOR>Y0 7! ORGAN ( ! ADVANC$ RE=M P>TY74 ,N[ HE BR\<T SEV]AL NUMB]S ( 0,! ,CONTEMPOR>Y10 &1 PUTT+ !M ON ! TABLE ,I WAS SITT+ AT1 SAID TO ME1 0,WELL1 N[1 AFT] ?IS ,I WILL HAVE NO MORE ( ?AT 9C5DI>Y /UFF2 5\< ( IT10 --- & !SE WORDS EXPRESS$ ! OP9ION ( 0ALL ,/4 ,PET]SBURG40 ,IT BECAME IMPROP] TO TALK ( RE=MS4 ,! :OLE ATMOSPH]E WAS LAD5 ) A REACTION>Y SPIRIT4 0,! ,CONTEMPOR>Y0 & O!R SIMIL> REVIEWS W]E SUPPRESS$2 ! ,SUNDAY-S*OOLS W]E PROHIBIT$ UND] ANY =M2 :OLESALE >RE/S BEGAN4 ,! CAPITAL WAS PLAC$ UND] A /ATE ( SIEGE4 

,A =TNI<T LAT]1 ON ,JUNE #ac 7#b#e71 ! TIME :I* WE PAGES & CADETS HAD SO LONG LOOK$ = CAME AT LA/4 ,! ,EMP]OR GAVE US A SORT ( MILIT>Y EXAM9ATION 9 ALL K9DS ( EVOLUTIONS1 --- DUR+ :I* WE COMM&$ ! COMPANIES1 & ,I P>AD$ ON A HORSE BE=E ! BATTALION1 --- & WE W]E PROMOT$ TO BE (FIC]S4 

,:5 ! P>ADE WAS OV]1 ,ALEX&] ,I,I4 L\DLY CALL$ \T1 0,! PROMOT$ (FIC]S TO ME60 & WE GA!R$ R\ND HIM4 ,HE REMA9$ ON HORSEBACK4 

,H]E ,I SAW HIM 9 A QUITE NEW LI<T4 ,! MAN :O ! NEXT YE> APPE>$ 9 ! ROLE ( A BLOOD?IR/Y & V9DICTIVE SUPPRESSOR ( ! 9SURRECTION 9 ,POL& ROSE N[1 FULL SIZE1 BE=E MY EYES1 9 ! SPEE* HE ADDRESS$ TO US4 

,HE BEGAN 9 A QUIET TONE4 0,I CONGRATULATE Y\3 Y\ >E (FIC]S40 ,HE SPOKE AB\T MILIT>Y DUTY & LOYALTY AS !Y >E USUALLY SPOK5 ( ON SU* OCCASIONS4 0,BUT IF ANY ONE ( Y\10 HE W5T ON1 DI/9CTLY %\T+ \T EV]Y WORD1 HIS FACE SUDD5LY CONTORT$ ) ANG]1 --- 0BUT IF ANY ONE ( Y\ --- :I* ,GOD PRES]VE Y\ FROM --- %\LD UND] ANY CIRCUM/ANCES PROVE DISLOYAL TO ! ,CZ>1 ! ?RONE1 & ! FA!RL&1 TAKE HE$ ( :AT ,I SAY1 --- HE WILL BE TREAT$ ) ALL ! SE-V]I-TY ( ! LAWS1 )\T ! SLI<TE/ COM-MI-SE-RA-TION60 

,HIS VOICE FAIL$2 HIS FACE WAS PEEVI%1 FULL ( ?AT EXPRESSION ( BL9D RAGE :I* ,I SAW 9 MY *ILDHOOD ON ! FACES ( L&LORDS :5 !Y ?REAT5$ !IR S]FS 0TO SK9 !M UND] ! RODS40 ,HE VIOL5TLY SPURR$ HIS HORSE1 & RODE \T ( \R CIRCLE4 ,NEXT MORN+1 ! #a#d? ( ,JUNE1 BY HIS ORD]S1 ?REE (FIC]S W]E %OT AT ,MODL9 9 ,POL&1 & ONE SOLDI]1 ,SZUR BY NAME1 WAS KILL$ UND] ! RODS4 

0,REACTION1 FULL SPE$ BACKW>DS10 ,I SAID TO MYSELF1 AS WE MADE \R WAY BACK TO ! ,CORPS4 

,I SAW ,ALEX&] ,I,I4 ONCE MORE BE=E LEAV+ ,/4 ,PET]SBURG4 ,SOME DAYS AFT] \R PROMOTION1 ALL ! NEWLY APPO9T$ (FIC]S W]E AT ! PALACE1 TO BE PRES5T$ TO HIM4 ,MY MORE ?AN MODE/ UNI=M1 ) ITS PROM95T GRAY TR\S]S1 ATTRACT$ UNIV]SAL ATT5TION1 & EV]Y MOM5T ,I HAD TO SATISFY ! CURIOSITY ( (FIC]S ( ALL RANKS1 :O CAME TO ASK ME :AT WAS ! UNI=M ?AT ,I WORE4 ,! ,AMUR ,COSSACKS BE+ !N ! Y\NGE/ REGIM5T ( ! ,RUSSIAN >MY1 ,I /OOD SOME:]E NE> ! 5D ( ! HUNDR$S ( (FIC]S :O W]E PRES5T4 ,ALEX&] ,I,I4 F\ND ME1 & ASK$1 0,SO Y\ GO TO ,SIB]IA8 ,DID Y\R FA!R CONS5T TO IT1 AFT] ALL80 ,I ANSW]$ 9 ! AFFIRMATIVE4 0,>E Y\ NOT AFRAID TO GO SO F>80 ,I W>MLY REPLI$1 0,NO1 ,I WANT TO WORK4 ,!RE MU/ BE SO MU* TO DO 9 ,SIB]IA TO APPLY ! GREAT RE=MS :I* >E GO+ TO BE MADE40 ,HE LOOK$ /RAI<T AT ME2 HE BECAME P5SIVE2 AT LA/ HE SAID1 0,WELL1 GO2 ONE CAN BE USEFUL EV]Y:]E20 & HIS FACE TOOK ON SU* AN EXPRESSION ( FATIGUE1 SU* A *>ACT] ( COMPLETE SURR5D]1 ?AT ,I ?\<T AT ONCE1 0,HE IS A US$-UP MAN2 HE IS GO+ TO GIVE IT ALL UP40 

,/4 ,PET]SBURG HAD ASSUM$ A GLOOMY ASPECT4 ,SOLDI]S M>*$ 9 ! /REETS1 ,COSSACK PATROLS RODE R\ND ! PALACE1 ! =TRESS WAS FILL$ ) PRISON]S4 ,:]EV] ,I W5T ,I SAW ! SAME ?+1 --- ! TRIUMPH ( ! REACTION4 ,I LEFT ,/4 ,PET]SBURG )\T REGRET4 

,I W5T EV]Y DAY TO ! ,COSSACK ADM9I/RATION TO ASK !M TO MAKE HA/E & DELIV] ME MY PAP]S1 & AS SOON AS !Y W]E READY1 ,I HURRI$ TO ,MOSC[ TO JO9 MY BRO!R ,ALEX&]4 

7,S\RCE3 ,MEMOIRS ( A ,REVOLUTIONI/1 ,FIR/ ,$ITION1 ,H\<TON ,MIFFL9 ,COMPANY1 ,BO/ON & ,NEW ,YORK1 #a#h#i#i47 

,FROM 3 ,AN>*Y ,>*IVES4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahih 3 ,P>T #c3 ,SIB]IA1 ,SECTION #a -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JANU>Y #b#a1 #bag 3 ,P>T #c3 ,SIB]IA1 ,SECTION #a -- ,ADD$4 

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