Scowling at us they took off their overcoats and sat down.

We first opened the conversation, explaining the purpose of our journey in exploring for bridges, roads and gold mines.

From them we then learned that their commander would arrive in a little while with seven more men and that they would take our host at once as a guide to the Seybi River, where they thought the Cossack officers must be hidden.

Immediately I remarked that our affairs were moving fortunately and that we must travel along together.

One of the soldiers replied that that would depend upon the "Comrade-officer." During our conversation the Soyot Governor entered.