Originally written for the private use of my sons in case I did not return, this narrative of events. Connected with the expedition to Siberia must of necessity lack many of the necessary ele ments which go to make a history. I wrote of things as they occurred, and recorded the reasons and motives which prompted the participants. Many things have happened since which seem to show that we were not always right in our esti mate of the forces at work around us. Things are not always what they seem, and this is probably more evident in the domain of Russian affairs than in any other. It would be comparatively easy to alter the text, and square it with the results, but that would destroy the main value of the story. The Statesman and the Soldier rarely write his tory. It is their misfortune to make it. It is quite easy to be a prophet when you know the result.