Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (1).pdf/18

                                18 turn the residue. In a short time a number of priests came with their torches and attendants, and threw a large pall over the dead body, at which Elizabeth uttered a cry of grief. In the meanwhile the funeral dirges were begun, and they placed the corpse in the coffin. As soon as Elizabeth saw they were proceeding to remove the body, she resolved to attend to the grave the remains of her friend. They proceeded with a torch of straw in their hand, while Elizabeth walked slowly behind, the most sincere mourner on the melancholy occasion. The burying ground was at the foot of an acclivity on the right bank of the Kama, surrounded by the ruins of a fortress. Elizabeth did not retire from this place till the close of the day—she wept and prayed, and found relief. ‘ ‘ Father! mother 1 ” she exclaimed, “ fear nothing—your child will not despair!” Thus did she, in a state of destitution, console herself. Before Elizabeth left the spot, she pronounced a tender adieu to the ashes of the poor monk. The next day, when she wished to resume her journey, the landlord gave her three rubles, or about twelve shillings and sixpence, assuring her it was all that remained in the monk’s purse. Elizabeth received the trifle with gratitude, thinking it had descended from heaven, whither her friend had gone. “Ah!” exclaimed Elizabeth, when about to pursue her solitary journey, “ my guide and my support! it is thus your charity survives you, and though you are no longer near me, it is that which still sustains me! ” She journeyed slowly on, and did not reach Cassan till towards the beginning of October. There was much ice accumulated on the shores of the Volga, so as to render its passage dangerous. The w atermen would not venture over without a considerable reward, nor would any passenger attempt to go with them. Elizabeth wished to enter one of the beats, but they pushed her aside as if she wrero insane. She implored them, in the name of God, to assist her in crossing the river: “ I have come from Tobolsk, and am going to Petersburgh to solicit my father’s pardon from the Emperor, and have so little money, that should I remain fifteen days longer at Cassan, I should have none left for the remainder of my journey. ’ ’ These words affected one of the boatmen, who said he would try to get her over. She entered his boat, when he rowed about one half across the river, but not being able to get further, he took her on his shoulders, and walked along the ice, with an oar, till he reached the opposite side of the Volga. Elizabeth thanked him in the fulness of her heart, and drew forth her purse to reward him ; but he would not accept of any thing from her little stock—he threw her a piece of money to increase it, and hurried to his boat, exclaiming—“ God watch over thee, my girl!”