WITH BRIGANDS 217

gold to be had in the Russian villages, there is plenty of
vodka, and sometimes things worth taking in their churches.
‘The priests and headmen too have generally got a little
store, which can be got at with the aid of a few hot coals or
a string twisted tight enough round a thumb. At any rate
we sha’n’t starve; but we must move on pretty fast, for we
shall have to get up a warm hut in the forest and to lay in
a stock of provisions before the winter sets in. So we
must only stop to gather a little plunder when a good
opportunity offers.”