File:Siberia and the exile system (1891) (14759868956).jpg

Identifier: siberiaexilesyst01kenn (find matches)
Title: Siberia and the exile system
Year: 1891 (1890s)
Authors: Kennan, George, 1845-1924
Subjects: Siberia (Russia) -- Description and travel Siberia (Russia) -- Exiles
Publisher: New York : Century Co.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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hile wewere being ferried over the river. When we were ready tostart on the other side, a quarter of a mile distant, theywaved their handkerchiefs, and then, taking off their hats,bowed low towards us in mute farewell as we dashed awayinto the forest. If these pages should ever be read in oneof the lonely cabins of the political exiles in Ulbinsk, thereaders may feel assured that in a freer and happiercountry we have not forgotten them, but think of themoften, with the sincerest esteem and the most affectionatesympathy. We reached Ust Kamenogorsk before dark Sunday after-noon and took up our quarters in the post station. Thetown, which contains about 5000 inhabitants, is a collectionof 600 or 800 houses, built generally of logs, and is situatedin the midst of a treeless plain on the right bank of theIrtish, just where the latter is joined by its tributary the 238 SIBERIA Ulba. It contains one or two Tatar mosques, two or threeRussian chnrelies with colored domes of tin, and an ostrog,
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or fortress, consisting of a high quadrangular earthen wallor embankment, surrounded by a dry moat, and inclosinga white-walled jjrison, a church, and a few Governmentbuildings. The mosques, the white-turbaned mullas, the TWO COLONIES OF POLITICAL EXILES 239 hooded Kirghis horsemen in the streets, the morning andevening cry of the muezzins, and the files of Bactriancamels, which now and then come pacing slowly and sol-emnly in from the steppe, give to the town the same Ori-ental appearance that is so noticeable in Semipalatinsk,and that suggests the idea that one is in northern Africaor in Central Asia, rather than in Siberia. While we were drinking tea in the post station we weresurprised by the appearance of Mr. Gross, who had comefrom Ulbmsk to Ust Kamenogorsk that morning, and hadbeen impatiently awaiting our arrival. He had hardly takenhis seat when the wife of the station-master announced thata Russian officer had come to call on us, and before I hadtime to ask Mr. Gross whether

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