Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XXI. Up the Yenisei
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believe it!—the wretch goes to my neighbour and weighs it!
In former years I gave him half-a-pound and said: “There
thou hast thy pound,” and he believed... What a
cunning beast he has become!’
“‘Yes, these wretched people have become altogether
spoilt!’ declares the chief of police in an authoritative tone.
If he happens to be in a happy after-dinner mood, then he
will expatiate on the virtues of the formerly good-hearted
Ostiak.
“‘In the good old times,’ he will tell you, ‘things were
arranged in a simple way. Now, for instance, my
predecessor, Stepan Flegantovich—you perhaps know him—he
used to do a good bit of business here! He would
announce to the Ostiak chiefs and their people that an
order from St. Petersburg had arrived to collect skins of
sables for a fur-coat for the Minister—the great Minister
who rules over the whole Russian tundra.
“‘Well, the Ostiaks bring skins of sables one year, two
years, as much as they are able to’—the chief of police
becomes livelier—‘for this fur-coat of the Minister!’ Then
finally the Ostiaks come to Stepan and say: —
“‘“We have now brought skins of sables sufficient not
only for a fur-coat, but for a sleigh-cover, gloves, and cap.”
“‘“What do you mean?” roars Stepan. “Do you believe,
you villains, that the Minister is such a miserable worm as
you? Why, such a big one is he!”—pointing to the church
steeple. And the Ostiak chiefs look at one another and
return home. And after six months they returned again
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