Page:Elizabeth, or, The exiles of Siberia (2).pdf/4

4 nibbles the bnds of the pine and birch. Hence to the natives of these frozen regions there belong some happy days, but none for the unfortunate exiles dwelling there.

Two or three versts from Saimka, amidst a marsh forest, upon the edge of a circular lake bordered with poplars, lived a family of exiles. This household was composed of three individuals, a man of forty-five, his wife, and their lovely daughter, in the flower of her youth. Enclosed in this desert, this family had communication with any person, and except a poor Tartar peasant, who waited on them, no human form was permitted to enter their cabin. No person knew them, or the cause of their punishment, except the governor of Tobolsk. When putting these exiles under the care of his lieutenant at Saimka, the governor only told him to provide them with a convenient habitation, with a little garden, and food and clothing; but charging him, at the same time, to prevent all intercourse between them and others; and, above all, to intercept any letters they might attempt to convey to the court of Russia. Attention so particular on the one side, and so much rigour and mystery on the other hand, made it suspected, that under the simple name of Peter Springer was concealed some distinguished victim of adversity. People now ceased to be concerned for the fate of beings whom they never saw, and whom they at length forgot. Peter Springer had been the builder of his own cabin, which had been constructed of planks of fir, and covered with straw, and protected by rocks from the north wind and the inundations of the lake. Southward of the lake, the forest presented on open coppice, and in the distance extensive heaths covered with tombs, which had been violated by plunderers, and the bones of the dead scattered in all directions. To the east of this plain the Christians had built a chapel of wood; and it is remarkable that here the ashes of the dead had ever been treated with becoming awe! In these wilds Peter Springer