[Illustration:  A SOUDNA.]

There is no wharf at Posolsky and no harbor, the steamers anchoring in the open water half a mile from shore.  Passengers, mails, and baggage are taken to the steamer in large row boats, while heavy freight is carried in soudnas.  The boat that took us brought a convoy of exiles before we embarked.  They formed a double line at the edge of the lake where they were closely watched by their guards.  When we reached the steamer we found another party of prisoners waiting to go on shore.  All were clad in sheepskin pelisses and some carried extra garments.  Several women and children accompanied the party, and I observed two or three old men who appeared little able to make a long journey.  One sick man too feeble to walk, was supported by his guards and his fellow prisoners.

Though there was little wind, and that little blew from shore, the boat danced uneasily on the waves.  Our carriages came off on the last trip of the boat, and were hoisted by means of a running tackle on one of the steamer’s yards.

While our embarkation was progressing a crew of Russians and Bouriats towed the now laden soudna to a position near our stern.  When all was ready, we took her hawser, hoisted our anchor and steamed away.  For some time I watched the low eastern shore of the lake until it disappeared in the distance.  Posolsky has a monastery built on the spot where a Russian embassador with his suite was murdered by Bouriats about the year 1680.  The last objects I saw behind me were the walls, domes, and turrets of this monastery glistening in the afternoon sunlight.  They rose clear and distinct on the horizon, an outwork of Christianity against the paganism of Eastern Asia.

The steamer was the Ignalienif, a side wheel boat of about 300 tons.  Her model was that of an ocean or coasting craft, she had two masts, and could spread a little sail if desired.  Her engines were built at Ekaterineburg in the Ural Mountains, and hauled overland 2500 miles.  She and her sister boat, the General Korsackoff, are very profitable to their owners during the months of summer.  They carry passengers, mails, and light freight, and nearly always have one or two soudnas in tow.  Their great disadvantage at present is the absence of a port on the eastern shore.

The navigation of Lake Baikal is very difficult.  Storms arise with little warning, and are often severe.  At times the boats are obliged to remain for days in the middle of the lake as they cannot always make the land while a gale continues.  There was very little breeze when we crossed, but the steamer was tossed quite roughly.  The winds blowing from the mountains along the lake, frequently sweep with great violence and drive unlucky soudnas upon the rocks.