But, no doubt, something is due to his insight in selection,
and to his ingenuity in telling the stories well and circumstantially;
otherwise this book would never have become historical, when so many
similar productions have perished. The stories in the first six
chapters, which formed the original book, are superior to those in the
continuation; there is always something specious, some ground work for
the gross improbabilities, which gives force to them. Thus, for
instance, travelling in Poland over the deep snow he fastens his horse
to something he takes to be a post, and which turns out to be the top of
a steeple. By the morning the snow has disappeared--he sees his mistake,
and his horse is hanging on the top of the church by its bridle. When on
his road to St. Petersburgh, a wolf made after him and overtook him.
Escape was impossible.
"I laid myself down flat in the sledge, and let my horse run for
safety. The wolf did not mind me, but took a leap over me, and
falling on the horse began to tear and devour the hinder part of
the poor animal, which ran all the faster for its pain and terror.
I lifted up my head slily, and beheld with horror that the wolf had
ate his way into the horse's body. It was not long before he had
fairly forced himself into it, when I took my advantage and fell
upon him with the end of my whip.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169