The return to Moscow was a joyous procession. Never had the Tsar been so merry, so indulgent to all ranks, and so absolutely free of all traces of his evil temper. Charles had escaped into Turkish territory, indeed; but what cared Peter for that? he was harmless enough now. As for Mazeppa, it was a pity he had escaped; but perhaps the Sultan would hang him, or if he failed to perform this service, likely enough the wretched man would save others the trouble by doing it himself! In any case he was out of mischief's way.

Peter offered up thanks for Pultowa at every shrine and church and monastery on the route to the capital. Further, he gave way to no excessive service of Bacchus during this time, but passed his evenings with Boris and others of his intimates in song and laughter and tale-telling, using the vodka in moderation.

Boris became quite an expert spinner of yarns, most of them about his adventures with bears, as befitted his title of the bear-hunter; but the Tsar himself occasionally treated his hearers to one of his own reminiscences, many of which were of stirring interest. He told, among others, of an adventure in the forest, when, having lost his way, he overtook a soldier, by whom he was not recognized. With this man he had sought shelter in a lonely hut in mid-forest, which had turned out to be the headquarters of a gang of murderous thieves. Here, overcome with weariness, he had fallen asleep in an outhouse, where he had sought repose in company with his new friend. The soldier, however, suspicious of the good faith of his hosts, had preferred to remain awake and watch. During the night, this brave fellow had protected his sleeping companion from the attack of five ruffians, who ascended the ladder one by one and were in turn despatched by the soldier as soon as their heads appeared within the garret window. The Tsar added that the man's conduct when he found out whom he had rescued from assassination was more ridiculous than words can describe, as was his delight when he received his promotion to the rank of corporal, together with one thousand roubles in cash.

Right glorious was the entry into Moscow of the victorious Pultowa heroes. The church and cathedral bells clanged; flower-decked triumphal arches had been reared in every street; gorgeously robed priests and bishops met the troops and chanted litanies of praise, and sprinkled the ranks with holy water; while the wives and children of the returning soldiers marched alongside, singing and laughing and dancing for joy. Nancy was there with her little ones, and Boris took both the tiny wolf-maiden and her brother upon the saddle before him; for the hunter was now a general of brigade and rode a fine black charger whose long tail swept the ground. The children chattered in English as they rode and told their father all the news—that Katie had caught a young fox at Karapselka, and mother had given little Boris a new pony from England which had run away with him into the forest and upset him into a morass, spraining his ankle, but he was all right now; with other information of a like nature.

Those were happy days, and there were happy years to follow. There was war, indeed, for Charles by dint of much perseverance persuaded the Turk to enter the lists against Peter and fight his battles for him; and adventurous war too, for the troops of the Tsar suffered defeat on more than one occasion in the disastrous campaign of the Pruth, where both the Tsar and Boris himself were once well-nigh captured by the Mussulman enemy, and Peter was obliged to surrender the fortress of Azof, the capture of which had been the first exploit of Russian arms under his flag. But in spite of all this, and of the fact that the Tsar was still unable, as the years went on, to conclude a satisfactory peace with Sweden, there was more peace than war during the five or six years which followed Pultowa, and the building of St. Petersburg was the work that occupied most of the sovereign's attention. The greater portion of his time was spent there, superintending the erection of fortress and city, and there he collected a large fleet of both British-made and home-built vessels of war.

Boris lived in the new city with Peter, his house being one of the very first to be erected. Nancy and her children joined him on the Neva banks, and soon became as ardent sailors as the Tsar could desire his subjects to be.

As for Boris himself, he had plenty of congenial occupation in endeavouring to thin the numbers of the wolves which infested the forests around, and even swarmed into the streets of the half-built city. Even as late as 1713, about ten years after the first pile of the new capital had been driven, wolves still occasionally entered the town and carried away children and women during the severe weather, when starvation made them bold; and many were the exciting chases which Boris enjoyed after such depredators, and many were the lives he saved of those who had been seized and carried off by the midnight robbers.

Little Katie, now aged twelve years, and her brother, had an exciting adventure at this time. They had been for a sail in the boat which the Tsar had given them; but the wind having failed them while still in the gulf, they were somewhat late in returning, and landed at the farther end of the city in order to avoid the necessity of rowing home against the current.

It was dusk of a September evening, and the streets through which they had to pass were unfinished and unpopulated; the open country, with the forest but a short distance away, stretching straight from the road on their right, while the river flowed swiftly towards the gulf on their left. Of a sudden they became aware of two gray wolves standing in the midst of the muddy road, blocking their passage. Neither child was afraid of wolves or of any other wild animal that breathes; but they were unarmed, save for the knife which little Boris, like a true son of his father, invariably carried at his side. The children stopped to consult: should they move on, in the hope that the brutes would give way and allow them to pass; or would it be wiser to retire towards the boat and row homewards, in spite of the current? The wolves, however, decided the question for them by opening their savage mouths, showing their business-like teeth, and themselves advancing, in order to carry the war into the enemy's country.

"Get behind me, Katie," said little Boris, "I've got my long knife; I'll take care they shan't touch you!"

But this was not Katie's way. She remained at her brother's side, catching up a thick piece of wood, one of many with which the ground was covered preliminary to road-making.

And now occurred a most unaccountable incident. The foremost wolf made a rush at Katie, stopped, sniffed at her dress, and slunk aside. The other brute behaved very differently. It sprang towards young Boris, who stood up to it and smote bravely at it with his knife, inflicting more than one gash upon nose and head and shoulder. Each time it was struck the wolf whined but came on again, until at length, having had enough of little Boris and his sharp knife, it too slunk away and joined its companion, and the two trotted off towards the forest.

Nancy declared, amid sobs and kisses, as the children related their story, that Katie could never be hurt by a wolf, for every wolf would know by some mysterious instinct of the relationship which her darling little wolf-maiden bore to his kind, and would not touch her. But that rude man, her husband, laughed loud and long at the very idea of such a thing, as I daresay my reader will also; and yet I am half inclined to believe in Nancy's pretty theory, for want of a better.

While at St. Petersburg, Boris took part, for the first time in his life, in a naval engagement. His rank in the navy was now lieutenant, and in this capacity Boris sailed out with the Tsar one fine morning in the flagship of "Rear-Admiral Peter Alexeyevitch" as the Tsar loved to style himself, this being his rank in the navy at that time. A Swedish fleet had been reported in the gulf, and the Russian vessels were now sallying forth to sight the enemy, and if possible to offer them battle. The Tsar-admiral not only came upon the enemy, but engaged and overthrew him also, capturing the Swedish admiral in person, together with a number of his ships. With his prizes in tow, Peter sailed proudly up the Neva and landed at the senate steps, where he was met and requested to attend and present to the authorities a report of his engagement with the enemy. After hearing this report, the senate unanimously decided that, in consideration of his services, Rear-Admiral Peter Alexeyevitch be promoted then and there to the rank of vice-admiral. Thereupon the Tsar immediately hurried back to his ship and hoisted the flag of a vice-admiral. Nothing in the world could have made Peter happier than such recognition of his services as a sailor apart from his position as Tsar.

Boris lived to take the chief part in many adventures both by sea and land. He slew many bears and wolves in all parts of the country, and went through more terrible dangers and sufferings during an ill-omened expedition despatched by his master against Khiva and India, than any which I have narrated in the foregoing pages; but the limits of this volume forbid me to enter into any of these, much as I should like to introduce my readers to the ambitions of Peter in the Indies, and the misfortunes which overtook his arms in those distant parts of the world. Perhaps, if the fates will it, I may find occasion to treat of these thrilling matters another day; but the moment has now arrived when I must describe the closing scene in this present tale of the Tsar's triumphs and his faithful hunter's adventures.

For many years Peter laboured his utmost to make such terms of peace with Sweden as should secure to him those solid advantages which his victories and his perseverance warranted him in demanding. But ardently as he laboured for peace, Sweden, beaten and subdued though she was, still held out for war.

At last, when the eighteenth century was already a score of years old, negotiations were entered into at Nystad which promised to bring forward a satisfactory result. In feverish anxiety the Tsar sailed daily in his yacht about the placid waters of the Gulf of Finland, on the look-out for that longed-for messenger-boat which should bring him the news that peace was signed. One afternoon, the Tsar, with Boris and one or two others, cruised thus close to Cronstadt, when a small vessel was observed sailing with all speed towards St. Petersburg, now the capital city of Russia. It was the messenger-boat, and on board was that treaty of peace for which the Tsar had fought and negotiated and waited for upwards of twenty years. With this priceless document on board, Peter's little yacht fled through the waters; and as it approached the mouth of the Neva it fired first one gun and then many, in token of the glorious news it brought. As the yacht raced up the river, banging its guns and flying every inch of bunting it carried, every gun in the metropolis responded, and every house mounted its flag and sent out its cheering contribution to the thronged streets of the city; for all understood the meaning of the Tsar's noisy little vessel flitting up the Neva in this way. It meant that war was over, and that Russia had leave to grow and prosper and develop. Oxen were roasted whole in the large square in front of the senate, and the Tsar himself carved and dispensed the meat to all who came.

In the evening a display of fireworks was given, and here again Peter, in his capacity of all things to all men, personally superintended the fun and himself fired off the rockets. The senators assembled and proclaimed new titles for their adored sovereign, the maker of Russia: he should be known henceforth as "Emperor," in place of Tsar, and to all time he should be called "The Great," and "Father of his People." That evening there were banquets throughout the city, and the joy of the populace was shown in every way in which a happy people can demonstrate their delight; for all were weary of war and bloodshed, and longed for peace as ardently as their sovereign himself.

Lastly, there was a grand procession to the cathedral of St. Isaac—or rather, this came first though I mention it last; a procession of a fervent, thankful population. The crowds in the streets all joined in as it approached them, and the Tsar walked with the priests and sang and chanted with them as one of themselves. When the procession reached the steps of the cathedral, and the tall Tsar stood upon the highest and faced the multitude, a great shout of joy and praise rang out, such as had not been heard in all Russia before that day; and when, the shouting being ended, the Tsar raised his hand and would speak to the multitude, all were silent to listen. Then Peter the Great raised both arms high over his head,—

"Sursum corda! sursum corda!" cried the Emperor. "Lift up your hearts, O my people!"

And all the people with one voice made answer,—

"We lift them up unto the Lord!"

In the Wilds of Africa. With upwards of Seventy Illustrations.

An interesting account of the adventures of a shipwrecked party who are landed on the west coast of Africa, and make their way to the south through many dangers. Gives much valuable information respecting the animals, scenery, people, and products of Africa.

In the Eastern Seas; or, The Regions of the Bird of Paradise. A Tale for Boys. One Hundred and Eleven Illustrations.

A tale of voyage and adventure among the islands of the Malay Archipelago, with descriptions of scenery and objects of natural history.

Old Jack. A Sea Tale. With Sixty-six Illustrations.

An old sailor's account of his own adventures, during times of peace and of war, in many parts of the world—privateering, whale-fishing, etc.

The South Sea Whaler. A Story of the Loss of the Champion, and the Adventures of her Crew. With upwards of Thirty Illustrations.

A tale of mutiny and shipwreck in the South Seas, the captain having his son and daughter on board with him.

A Voyage Round the World. With Forty-two Illustrations.

A young sailor's account of his own adventures by sea and land, the scenes being laid chiefly in South America, the South Sea Islands, and Japan.

The Young Rajah. A Story of Indian Life and Adventure. With upwards of Forty Full-page Illustrations.

A story of the Indian Mutiny; the hero a young Indian prince, who had received an English education and become a Christian.

On the Banks of the Amazon; or, A Boy's Journal of his Adventures in the Tropical Wilds of South America. Profusely illustrated.

In the course of the narrative some of the numberless animals, as well as a few of the most interesting of the vegetable productions, of the Amazonian Valley are described.

In the Wilds of Florida. With Thirty-seven Illustrations.

A tale of warfare and hunting.

My First Voyage to Southern Seas. Fifty-two Illustrations.

A young sailor's story, describing Cape Colony, Ceylon, Aden, etc.

Saved from the Sea; or, The Loss of the Viper, and the Adventures of her Crew in the Great Sahara. With Thirty Full-page Illustrations.

A young sailor's account of his adventures, along with three shipwrecked comrades.

Twice Lost. With Thirty-six Illustrations.

A young sailor's story of shipwreck, and perilous adventures in the wilds of Australia; which is the more interesting from the fact that he was accompanied by his father, mother, and sister.

The Wanderers; or, Adventures in the Wilds of Trinidad and up the Orinoco. With Thirty Full-page Illustrations.

The Young Llanero. A Story of War and Wild Life in Venezuela. With Forty-four Illustrations.

A thrilling and fascinating narrative of adventures in South America during the struggle for independence between the state of Colombia and the Spaniards.

Mr. J. M. Barrie says of "The Coral Island":—"For the authorship of that book I would joyously swop all mine. If there is a parent who has not given it to his son (or does not do so within eight days from now), he should at the least be turned out of his club. Many men, no doubt, become parents in order to give 'The Coral Island' to their sons. Jack, Ralph, and Peterkin, I salute you, and hope you are all a fond memory recalls. Not since my schooldays have I met you, but I know what was in the pockets of the three of you the day you landed on that island better than I know the contents of my own to-day, and your wondrous cave is more to me than the Strand."

The Coral Island. A Tale of the Pacific.

"No boy could be expected to respect another boy who had not read Ballantyne's bewitching book 'The Coral Island.'"—Gavin Ogilvy, in The British Weekly.

The Gorilla Hunters. A Tale of the Wilds of Africa.

A sequel to "The Coral Island," and of as entrancing interest.

The Dog Crusoe and his Master. A Story of Adventure on the Western Prairies.

"All the tales bear the stamp of the master hand. Here we rove amid the wilds of the west, hunt the buffalo and the grizzly bear, are chased and captured by Indians, and make a clever escape."—Perthshire Courier.

Martin Rattler. A Boy's Adventures in the Forests of Brazil.

"One of the best of this delightful and popular author's books."—Scotsman.

Ungava. A Tale of Esquimau Land.

"Any one who wants boys to believe that there is a better writer of boys' books than Mr. R. M. Ballantyne must shout very loud. 'Ungava' takes us to Esquimau land, and illustrates the phases of the fur-trader's life in the wild regions which surround Hudson Bay."—Sheffield Telegraph.

The Young Fur-Traders; or, Snowflakes and Sunbeams from the Far North.

The World of Ice. Adventures in the Polar Regions.

Hudson Bay; or, Everyday Life in the Wilds of North America, during a Six Years' Residence in the Territories of the Hon. Hudson Bay Company. With Memoir of the Author, and Portrait. Also Twenty-nine Illustrations drawn by Bayard and other Artists, from Sketches by the Author.

"The death of Mr. R. M. Ballantyne is the close of a long and busy and distinguished literary career. The news will have been received with regret by the many readers whom Mr. Ballantyne's books have stirred and stimulated and charmed. They were written avowedly for boys, but they have been caught up eagerly by readers of every age, old and young alike, and when once taken in hand have seldom been laid down again until the last page had been reached."—The Times (Obituary Notice, 1894).

For the Colours. A Historical Sketch of the British Army. With Coloured Frontispiece and Thirty-two Illustrations by Archibald Webb and other well-known artists. Crown 8vo, bevelled boards, cloth extra, gilt top.

Ye Mariners of England. A Boys' Book of the Navy. Profusely illustrated. Crown 8vo, bevelled boards, cloth extra, gilt top.

Tales of Adventure.

Crown 8vo, bevelled boards, cloth
extra, gilt top, price 5s. each.

At the Point of the Sword. A New Story for Boys. Illustrated by R. Payton Reid, A.R.S.A.

A Captain of Irregulars. A Stirring Tale of War and Adventure in Chili. With Six Illustrations by Sidney Paget.

Clevely Sahib. A Tale of the Khyber Pass. With Eight Illustrations by J. Williamson.

An Emperor's Doom; or, The Patriots of Mexico. With Eight Illustrations by A. J. B. Salmon.

A Fighter in Green. A Tale of Algeria. With Nine Illustrations by R. Talbot Kelly, R.B.A.

In the Grip of the Spaniard. With Nine Illustrations by Wal Paget.

Red, White, and Green. Illustrated by Arch. Webb.

Under the Lone Star. With Eight Illustrations by W. S. Stacey.

A Vanished Nation. A Tale of Fighting in Paraguay. With Six Illustrations by W. B. Wollen, R.I.

Price 3s. 6d. each.

The British Legion. A Tale of the Carlist War. With Six Illustrations by W. H. Margetson.

Scouting for Buller. A Story of the South African War. With Coloured Illustrations.

Across Greenland's Ice-Fields. The Adventures of Nansen and Peary on the Great Ice-Cap.

Breaking the Record. The Story of Three Arctic Expeditions.

The White North. With NordenskiÖld, De Long, and Nansen. With Illustrations.

After Years. A Story of Trials and Triumphs. By J. W. Bradley. With Illustrations.

Culm Rock; or, Ready Work for Willing Hands. A Book for Boys. By J. W. Bradley. With Illustrations.

Among the Turks. By Verney Lovett Cameron, C.B., D.C.L., Commander Royal Navy, Author of "Jack Hooper," etc. With Illustrations.

Archie Digby; or, An Eton Boy's Holidays. By G. E. Wyatt, Author of "Harry Bertram and his Eighth Birthday."

As We Sweep Through the Deep. A Story of the Stirring Times of Old. By Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. With Illustrations.

At the Black Rocks. A Story for Boys. By the Rev. Edward A. Rand, Author of "Margie at the Harbour Light," etc.

The Battle of the Rafts. And Other Stories of Boyhood in Norway. By H. H. Boyesen.

A Fortune from the Sky. By Skelton Kuppord, Author of "The Uncharted Island," etc. Illustrated by Robert Hope.

Great Explorers. An Account of Exploration and Travel in many Lands. With Thirty-two Full-page Illustrations.

Gunpowder Treason and Plot, and other Stories for Boys. By Harold Avery, Fred. Whishaw, and R. B. Townshend. With Fourteen Illustrations.

Lost in the Wilds of Canada. By Eleanor Stredder, Author of "The Merchant's Children," etc.

The Lost Squire of Inglewood; or, Adventures in the Caves of Robin Hood. A Boy's Story of Adventure. By Dr. Jackson. Illustrated by Walter G. Grieve.

The Romance of the South Pole. Antarctic Voyages and Explorations. By G. Barnett Smith. With Twelve Illustrations.

Soldiers of the Queen; or, Jack Fenleigh's Luck. A Story of the Dash to Khartoum. By Harold Avery, Author of "Frank's First Term," etc.

Vandrad the Viking; or, The Feud and the Spell. A Tale of the Norsemen. By J. Storer Clouston. With Six Illustrations by Hubert Paton.

The Willoughby Boys. By Emily C. Hartley.

A Little Cockney. A Story for Girls. By Miss Gaye, Author of "Dickie Winton," "All's Well that Ends Well." Illustrated.

A very simple story, giving some of the real impressions and recollections of a London child.

Look at the Bright Side. A Tale for the Young. By the Author of "Little Sunbeams."

A tale showing the fault and misfortune of a fearful, foreboding spirit, and the happiness of cheerful trust in God.

Madamscourt; or, The Adventures of a Fugitive Princess. A New Story for Girls. By H. May Poynter, Author of "A Merry Heart," etc. Illustrated by R. Farquhar.

A wholesome and vigorous tale, dealing with the romantic and adventurous escape of Princess SobieskÀ, who journeys across the Alps to Bologna, and is there married to Prince James Francis Stuart. The story is extremely interesting, and will fully repay perusal.

Mark Hamilton's Daughters. By A. Fraser Robertson.

This story of two sisters will be found most interesting by older girls. There is a great contrast between the characters of Hilda and Elma.

Mark Marksen's Secret. A Tale. By Jessie Armstrong, Author of "Dan's Little Girl," etc.

Martin's Inheritance; or, The Story of a Life's Chances. A Temperance Tale. By E. Van Sommer, Author of "Lionel Franklin's Victory," etc.

The Merchant's Children. A Story for the Young. By E. Stredder, Author of "Alive in the Jungle," etc.

"We heartily commend this interesting book to our young readers."—Literary World.

The Robber Baron of Bedford Castle. A Story of the 13th Century. By Albert J. Foster, M.A., Vicar of Wootton, Bedfordshire, and E. E. Cuthell.

"The story is full of life and incident, awkward situations and underground passages, and is, moreover, interwoven with a romantic love story."—Christian World.

Salome; or, "Let Patience have her Perfect Work." By Mrs. Emma Marshall, Author of "Mrs. Haycock's Chronicles," etc.

An interesting tale for young people. Trials form the true test of character; and one member of a family, by self-denying energy, may do much for all the others.

Sir Aylmer's Heir. A Story for the Young. By E. Everett-Green, Author of "Winning the Victory," etc.

Tells in a touching and interesting way how a "little one" was the means of leading a selfish and worldly man into the way of truth and of doing good.

"Whatsoever!" An Everyday Story. By M. A. Paull, Author of "Tim's Troubles," "The Children's Tour," etc.

"The author drives her teaching home with power, and the story is brightly written, as becomes a book so full of moral ozone."—Christian Leader.

Men Who Win; or, Making Things Happen. By W. M. Thayer, Author of "From Log Cabin to White House," etc.

Women Who Win; or, Making Things Happen. By W. M. Thayer, Author of "From Log Cabin to White House," etc.

The Achievements of Youth. By the Rev. Robert Steel, D.D., Ph.D., Author of "Lives Made Sublime," etc.

Lives Made Sublime by Faith and Works. By Rev. Robert Steel, D.D., Ph.D., Author of "Doing Good," etc.

Self-Effort; or, The True Method of Attaining Success in Life. By Joseph Johnson, Author of "Living in Earnest," etc.

The Secret of Achievement. A Book designed to teach that the highest Achievement is that which results in noble Manhood and Womanhood; that there is something greater than wealth, grander than fame; that character is the only success. By Orison Swett Marden, Author of "Architects of Fate," etc. Illustrated with Portraits of eminent Persons.

Noble Women of Our Time. By Joseph Johnson, Author of "Living in Earnest," etc. With Accounts of the Work of Misses De BroËn, Whately, Carpenter, F. R. Havergal, Sister Dora, etc.

Architects of Fate; or, Steps to Success and Power. By Orison Swett Marden, Author of "Pushing to the Front; or, Success under Difficulties." With Eight Illustrations.

Earnest Men: Their Life and Work. By the late Rev. W. K. Tweedie, D.D.

Famous Artists. Michael Angelo—Leonardo da Vinci—Raphael—Titian—Murillo—Rubens—Rembrandt. By Sarah K. Bolton.

Fritz of Prussia. Germany's Second Emperor. By Lucy Taylor, Author of "Going on Pilgrimage," etc.

Heroes of the Desert. The Story of the Lives of Moffat and Livingstone. By the Author of "Mary Powell." New and Enlarged Edition, with numerous Illustrations and Two Portraits.

A Thorny Way. By Mary Bradford Whiting.

Through Storm to Sunshine. By W. J. Lacey.

Tim's Troubles; or, Tried and True. By M. A. Paull.

True Hearts Make Happy Homes. The Story of the Vivians of Woodiford. By M. A. Paull.

True to His Colours; or, The Life that Wears Best. By the Rev. T. P. Wilson, M.A.

True to the Last; or, My Boyhood's Hero. By E. Everett-Green.

With the Admiral of the Ocean Sea. A Narrative of the First Voyage to the Western World. Drawn mainly from the Diary of Christopher Columbus. By Charles Paul Mackie.

The Young Huguenots; or, The Soldiers of the Cross. A Story of the Seventeenth Century. By "Fleur de Lys."

Around a Cornfield in a Ramble after Wild Flowers. By Uncle Matt. With Twenty-six Illustrations and a Beautiful Coloured Picture.

Across the Common after Wild Flowers. By Uncle Matt. With Forty-two Illustrations and a Beautiful Coloured Picture.

Down the Lane and Back in Search of Wild Flowers. By Uncle Matt. With Twenty-three Illustrations and a Beautiful Coloured Picture.

A Stroll on a Marsh in Search of Wild Flowers. By Uncle Matt. With Twenty-five Illustrations and a Beautiful Coloured Picture.

Through the Copse. Another Ramble after Flowers with Uncle Matt. With Twenty-three Illustrations and a Beautiful Coloured Picture.

"The author aims at writing such books as shall prove interesting as well as amusing to little folk.... Those who like reliable information conveyed in an informal manner should appreciate Dr. Cooke's style."—Gardener's Chronicle.