Chapter II: Preface

There are few difficulties that cannot be surmounted by patience, resolution, and pluck, and great as are the obstacles that nature and the Russian government oppose to an escape from the prisons of Siberia, such evasions have occasionally been successfully carried out, and that under far less advantageous circumstances than those under which the hero of this story undertook the venture. For the account of life in the convict establishments in Siberia I am indebted to the very valuable books by my friend the Rev. Dr. Lansdell, who has made himself thoroughly acquainted with Siberia, traversing the country from end to end and visiting all the principal prisons. He conversed not only with officials, but with many of the prisoners and convicts, and with Russian and foreign residents in the country, and his testimony as to the management of the prisons and the condition of the convicts is confirmed by other independent writers personally cognizant of the facts, and like him able to converse fluently in the language, and writing from intimate knowledge of the subject.

G. A. HENTY.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. Page

I. A GREAT CHANGE, 11

II. A CAT'S-PAW, 33

III. A HUNTING PARTY, 52

IV. A PRISONER, 67

V. AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, 86

VI. AN ESCAPE, 104

VII. THE BURIAT'S CHILD, 123

VIII. THE MINES OF KARA, 142

IX. PRISON LIFE, 163

X. PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT, 182

XI. AFLOAT, 202

XII. WINTER, 222

XIII. HUNTING, 242

XIV. THE BREAK-UP OF WINTER, 262

XV. COASTING, 282

XVI. A SAMOYEDE ENCAMPMENT, 302

XVII. A SEA FIGHT, 322

XVIII. HOME AGAIN, 339

ILLUSTRATIONS.
Page

GODFREY IS CAPTURED BY THE RUSSIAN POLICE, _FRONTIS._ 70

A SUPPER OF ROASTED SQUIRRELS, 121

GODFREY PUNISHES KOBYLIN IN THE CONVICT PRISON, 166

SPEARING FISH BY TORCH-LIGHT, 218

GODFREY BRINGS DOWN AN ELK, 245

THE SLAUGHTERED WOLVES, 259

LUKA FACES THE BEAR, 277

GODFREY AND LUKA ESCAPING FROM THE SAMOYEDES, 318

MAP OF RUSSIAN EMPIRE, 80

CONDEMNED AS A NIHILIST.