As I have no desire to harrow unnecessarily the feelings of the reader, I refrain from all description of ugly accidents, ending in bruises and fractures, and shall simply explain in a few words how a successful passage is effected.
When it is possible to approach the bridge without sinking up to the knees in mud, it is better to avoid all risks by walking over and waiting for the vehicle on the other side; and when this is impossible, a preliminary survey is advisable.

To your inquiries whether it is safe, your yamstchik (post-boy) is sure to reply, "Nitchevo!"-- a word which, according to the dictionaries, means "nothing" but which has, in the mouths of the peasantry, a great variety of meanings, as I may explain at some future time.

In the present case it may be roughly translated.
"There is no danger." "Nitchevo, Barin, proyedem" ("There is no danger, sir; we shall get over"), he repeats.

You may refer to the generally rotten appearance of the structure, and point in particular to the great holes sufficient to engulf half a post-horse.

"Ne bos', Bog pomozhet" ("Do not fear.