Page:Letter from T.H. Barker to his wife Mary, 27 November 1903.pdf/3

 gingling of the horse bells, we reached the village, which is a very long one with many large houses, probably inhabited by rich convicts who enjoy their liberty under inspection. I don’t know where I am now, as I was driven to a building like a very pretty inn, but it has two striped sentry boxes, black and white, one on each side of the door. I have sent my letter to the chief and shall hear from him about seven. This may be a sort of Government Inn. It is beautifully kept, beautifully clean, and I have just had “Chai”. I was told I should probably stay with the Chief, but I shall see; in any case I am very comfortable here. The decorations, as usual, include a painting of the Car, but I don’t see the Czarina. The other pictures are mostly Photos of the Convict Settlement and work rooms. There is evidently very much to be seen, and there are some large blank looking enclosures. We passed on the roads several troupes, probably of convicts, with soldiers carrying guns with bayonets with fixed amongst them. My appearance caused quite a commotion and with my wool helmet and projecting frozen moustached, I have been taken for an old general, which I suppose I am. I shall not be able to post this here, as it would probably be opened at the Post Office. In this region they are rather suspicious, but my letter from Lessar their Pekin Ambassador, is a great passport, but there is evidently a mystery about the matter, which class three cannot understand. The Superiors are all most open, one walked in just now and came and shook hands.