"We had better take care, and not speak more than necessary.

The police are not over-particular in these times, and you never can know with whom you are traveling." In another corner of the compartment they were speaking less of mercantile affairs, and more of the Tartar invasion and its annoying consequences.
"All the horses in Siberia will be requisitioned," said a traveler, "and communication between the different provinces of Central Asia will become very difficult." "Is it true," asked his neighbor, "that the Kirghiz of the middle horde have joined the Tartars ?" "So it is said," answered the traveler, lowering his voice; "but who can flatter themselves that they know anything really of what is going on in this country ?" "I have heard speak of a concentration of troops on the frontier.

The Don Cossacks have already gathered along the course of the Volga, and they are to be opposed to the rebel Kirghiz." "If the Kirghiz descend the Irtish, the route to Irkutsk will not be safe," observed his neighbor.

"Besides, yesterday I wanted to send a telegram to Krasnoiarsk, and it could not be forwarded.

It's to be feared that before long the Tartar columns will have isolated Eastern Siberia." "In short, little father," continued the first speaker, "these merchants have good reason for being uneasy about their trade and transactions.
After requisitioning the horses, they will take the boats, carriages, every means of transport, until presently no one will be allowed to take even one step in all the empire." "I'm much afraid that the Nijni-Novgorod fair won't end as brilliantly as it has begun," responded the other, shaking his head.