At one place two boys were seated cross-legged near the water and fishing with long poles.  They were so intent in looking at us that they did not observe the swell of the steamer until thoroughly drenched by it.  As they stood dripping on the sand they laughed good-naturedly at the occurrence, and soon seated themselves again at their employment.

Late in the afternoon I saw a village larger than all the others, lying in a bend of the river, stretching three or four miles along the bank and a less distance away from it.  This was Igoon, the principal place of the Chinese on the Amoor, and once possessing considerable power.  Originally the fort and town of Igoon were on the left bank of the river, four miles below the present site.  The location was changed in 1690, and when the new town was founded it grew quite rapidly.  For a long time it was a sort of Botany Bay for Pekin, and its early residents were mostly exiles.  At present its population is variously estimated from twenty to fifty thousand.  The Chinese do not give any information on this point, and the Russian figures concerning it are based upon estimates.

Igoon was formerly the capital of the Chinese ’Province of the Arnoor,’ but is now destitute of that honor.  The seat of government was removed about twenty years ago to Sit-si-gar.

As we approached Igoon I could see below it many herds of cattle and horses driven by mounted men.  There was every appearance of agricultural prosperity.  It was near the end of harvest, and most of the grain was stacked in the fields.  Here and there were laborers at work, and I could see many people on the bank fronting the river.  Around the city were groves enclosing the temples which held the shrines consecrated to Mongol worship, as the cross is reverenced by the followers of the Christian faith.

The city had a sombre look, as all the houses were black.  The buildings were of wood plastered with mud, and nearly all of one story.  Over the temples in the city there were flag-staffs, but with no banners hanging from them or on the outer walls.  The governor’s house and the arsenals were similarly provided with tall poles rising from the roofs, but here as elsewhere no flags were visible.

Along the beach there were many rafts of logs beside numerous boats either drawn on shore or moored to posts or stakes.  Fishermen and boys were sitting cross-legged near the water, and the inattention of several caused their drenching by our swell.  Idle men stood on the bank above the beach, nearly all smoking their little brass pipes with apparent unconcern.  Men and women, principally the latter, were carrying water from the river in buckets, which they balanced from the ends of a neck-yoke.

We dropped anchor and threw a line that was made fast by a young Manjour.  On shore we met several residents, who greeted us civilly and addressed the captain in Russian.  Most of the Manjour merchants have learned enough Russian to make a general conversation, especially in transacting business.