and journey by stages, stimulating the zeal of the postillions
by well-applied "na vodkou," or tips.

Unfortunately, in consequence of the measures taken against foreigners
of Asiatic origin, a large number of travelers had already left Perm,
and therefore conveyances were extremely rare. Michael was
obliged to content himself with what had been rejected by others.
As to horses, as long as the Czar's courier was not in Siberia,
he could exhibit his podorojna, and the postmasters would give him
the preference. But, once out of Europe, he had to depend alone
on the power of his roubles.

But to what sort of a vehicle should he harness his horses?
To a telga or to a tarantass? The telga is nothing
but an open four-wheeled cart, made entirely of wood,
the pieces fastened together by means of strong rope.
Nothing could be more primitive, nothing could be less comfortable;
but, on the other hand, should any accident happen on the way,
nothing could be more easily repaired. There is no want of firs
on the Russian frontier, and axle-trees grow naturally in forests.
The post extraordinary, known by the name of "perck-ladnoi,"
is carried by the telga, as any road is good enough for it.
It must be confessed that sometimes the ropes which fasten
the concern together break, and whilst the hinder part remains stuck
in some bog, the fore-part arrives at the post-house on two wheels;
but this result is considered quite satisfactory.

Michael Strogoff would have been obliged to employ a telga,
if he had not been lucky enough to discover a tarantass.
It is to be hoped that the invention of Russian coach-builders