ing people, who had long subsisted by violence and raids,
now held in check, occupied outposts on the borders, and
lying on the boundaries of the state, were like a bull-dog
on his chain, threatening intruders with his teeth.

Everything flourished and was full of life. Roads were
laid out on the trace of ancient highways; rivers were
blocked with. dams, built by the captive Tartar or men
from below caught robbing with armed hand. The mill
now resounded where the wind used to play wildly at night
in the reeds, and where wolves howled in company with
the ghosts of drowned men. More than four hundred
wheels, not counting the numerous windmills, ground grain
beyond the Dnieper. More than forty thousand men were
tributary to the prince's treasury. The woods swarmed
with bees. On the borders new villages, hamlets, and
single dwellings were rising continually. On. the steppes,
by the side of wild herds, grazed whole droves of domestic
cattle and horses. The endless monotony of pine groves
and steppes was varied by the smoke of cottages, the
gild.ed towers of churches,--Catholic and orthodox. The
desert was changed into a peopled land.

Lieutenant Skshetuski travelled on gladly, and without
hurry, as if going over his own ground, having plenty of
leisure secured to him on the road. It was the begin-
ning of January, 1648; but that wonderful, exceptional
winter gave no sign of its approach. Spring was breathing
in the air; the earth was soft and shilling with the water
of melted snow, the fields were covered with green, and
the suii shone with such heat on the road at midday that
fur coats burdened the shoulders as in summer.

The lieutenant's party was increased considerably in Chi-
girin, for it was joined by a Wallachian embassy which the
hospodar sent to Lubni in the person of Pan Rozvan Ursu.
The embassy was attended by an escort, with wagons and
servants. Our acquaintance, Pan Longin Podbipienta, with
the shield of Zervikaptur, his long sword under his arm,
and with a few servants, travelled with Pan Yan.

Sunshine, splendid weather, and the odor of approaching
spring filled the heart with gladness; and the lieutenant
was the more rejoiced, since he was returning from a long
journey to the roof of the prince, which was at the same
time his own roof. He was returning having accomplished
his mission well, and was therefore certain of a good
reception.