It was here that Michael Strogoff was obliged to leave the railway, which at the time did not go beyond that town.

Thus, as he advanced, his traveling would become first less speedy and then less safe.
Nijni-Novgorod, the fixed population of which is only from thirty to thirty-five thousand inhabitants, contained at that time more than three hundred thousand; that is to say, the population was increased tenfold.
This addition was in consequence of the celebrated fair, which was held within the walls for three weeks.

Formerly Makariew had the benefit of this concourse of traders, but since 1817 the fair had been removed to Nijni-Novgorod.
Even at the late hour at which Michael Strogoff left the platform, there was still a large number of people in the two towns, separated by the stream of the Volga, which compose Nijni-Novgorod.

The highest of these is built on a steep rock, and defended by a fort called in Russia "kreml." Michael Strogoff expected some trouble in finding a hotel, or even an inn, to suit him.

As he had not to start immediately, for he was going to take a steamer, he was compelled to look out for some lodging; but, before doing so, he wished to know exactly the hour at which the steamboat would start.