CHAPTER XIII.

KIACHTA TO THE BAIKAL.

Leave Troitskosarfsk--Hilly roads--Bouriats--The first post-station--Agreeable surprise--Another stoppage--A night on the hill-side--Hire another carriage--Reach the Selenga--The ferry--Selenginsk--A gallery of art-- Cultivation--Verchne Udinsk--Effects of the inundation-- Slough of despond--Fine scenery--A dangerous road--A press of travellers--Favour shown us--Angry Poles-- Ilyensk--An obsequious postmaster--Tidy post-house--A night at Ilyensk--Treachery suspected--Roads destroyed-- Difficult travelling--An old Pole--Baikal lake--Station at Pasoilské--A night scene--The Selenga river--And valley--Agriculture--Cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs 223