About the middle of the month the navigation on Archangel became icefree, and on the 17th the White-Sea was navigable.

I thought the whole tale would shortly be served up in racy pasquinade – but Catherine, who might have said anything, didn't say a word.

Poor child, he said to himself, all his angry feelings changing, she seems to have set her heart so upon winning, it would be sad if she were disappointed. No one has much on it: shall I try Captain Armstrong for once? It would make her very happy. Bar accidents, I must win. They don't know that the chestnut has not extended himself yet.

The object of this harrowing or raking was simply in order that the weeds might be more easily eradicated ; but it is a question whether the good it did in facilitating the runcation (or hand-weeding) was greater than the injury it inflicted by bruising and tearing the corn.