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diff --git a/old/strgf10h.htm b/old/strgf10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5635f1b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/strgf10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13648 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Michael Strogoff</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} +blockquote {font-size:14pt} +P {font-size:14pt} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Michael Strogoff, by Jules Verne +#10 in our series by Jules Verne + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Michael Strogoff + +Author: Jules Verne + +Release Date: August, 1999 [EBook #1842] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 16, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MICHAEL STROGOFF *** + + + + +Eric Eldred from an etext prepared by Judy Boss + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1>Michael Strogoff</h1> + +<h3>or</h3> + +<h3>The Courier of the Czar</h3> + +<h2>by Jules Verne</h2> + +<br><br><br><br> + +<h1>Michael Strogoff</h1> + +<h2>BOOK I</h2> + +<h2>CHAPTER I A FETE AT THE NEW PALACE</h2> + + +<p>"SIRE, a fresh dispatch."</p> + +<p>"Whence?"</p> + +<p>"From Tomsk?"</p> + +<p>"Is the wire cut beyond that city?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire, since yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Telegraph hourly to Tomsk, General, and keep me informed of +all that occurs."</p> + +<p>"Sire, it shall be done," answered General Kissoff.</p> + +<p>These words were exchanged about two hours after midnight, at +the moment when the fete given at the New Palace was at the +height of its splendor.</p> + +<p> + During the whole evening the bands of the Preobra-jensky and +Paulowsky regiments had played without cessation polkas, +mazurkas, schottisches, and waltzes from among the choicest of +their repertoires. + Innumerable couples of dancers whirled through the magnificent +saloons of the palace, which stood at a few paces only from the +"old house of stones"--in former days the scene of so many +terrible dramas, the echoes of whose walls were this night +awakened by the gay strains of the musicians.</p> + +<p>The grand-chamberlain of the court, was, besides, well +seconded in his arduous and delicate duties. The grand-dukes and +their aides-de-camp, the chamberlains-in-waiting and other +officers of the palace, presided personally in the arrangement of +the dances. + The grand duchesses, covered with diamonds, the +ladies-in-waiting in their most exquisite costumes, set the +example to the wives of the military and civil dignitaries of the +ancient "city of white stone." When, therefore, the signal for +the "polonaise" + resounded through the saloons, and the guests of all ranks took +part in that measured promenade, which on occasions of this kind +has all the importance of a national dance, the mingled costumes, +the sweeping robes adorned with lace, and uniforms covered with +orders, presented a scene of dazzling splendor, lighted by +hundreds of lusters multiplied tenfold by the numerous mirrors +adorning the walls.</p> + +<p>The grand saloon, the finest of all those contained in the New +Palace, formed to this procession of exalted personages and +splendidly dressed women a frame worthy of the magnificence they +displayed. + The rich ceiling, with its gilding already softened by the touch +of time, appeared as if glittering with stars. The embroidered +drapery of the curtains and doors, falling in gorgeous folds, +assumed rich and varied hues, broken by the shadows of the heavy +masses of damask.</p> + +<p>Through the panes of the vast semicircular bay-windows the +light, with which the saloons were filled, shone forth with the +brilliancy of a conflagration, vividly illuminating the gloom in +which for some hours the palace had been shrouded. + The attention of those of the guests not taking part in the +dancing was attracted by the contrast. + Resting in the recesses of the windows, they could discern, +standing out dimly in the darkness, the vague outlines of the +countless towers, domes, and spires which adorn the ancient +city. + Below the sculptured balconies were visible numerous sentries, +pacing silently up and down, their rifles carried horizontally on +the shoulder, and the spikes of their helmets glittering like +flames in the glare of light issuing from the palace. + The steps also of the patrols could be heard beating time on the +stones beneath with even more regularity than the feet of the +dancers on the floor of the saloon. + From time to time the watchword was repeated from post to post, +and occasionally the notes of a trumpet, mingling with the +strains of the orchestra, penetrated into their midst. + Still farther down, in front of the facade, dark masses obscured +the rays of light which proceeded from the windows of the New +Palace. These were boats descending the course of a river, whose +waters, faintly illumined by a few lamps, washed the lower +portion of the terraces.</p> + +<p>The principal personage who has been mentioned, the giver of +the fete, and to whom General Kissoff had been speaking in that +tone of respect with which sovereigns alone are usually +addressed, wore the simple uniform of an officer of chasseurs of +the guard. + This was not affectation on his part, but the custom of a man +who cared little for dress, his contrasting strongly with the +gorgeous costumes amid which he moved, encircled by his escort of +Georgians, Cossacks, and Circassians--a brilliant band, +splendidly clad in the glittering uniforms of the Caucasus.</p> + +<p>This personage, of lofty stature, affable demeanor, and +physiognomy calm, though bearing traces of anxiety, moved from +group to group, seldom speaking, and appearing to pay but little +attention either to the merriment of the younger guests or the +graver remarks of the exalted dignitaries or members of the +diplomatic corps who represented at the Russian court the +principal governments of Europe. Two or three of these astute +politicians--physiognomists by virtue of their profession-- +failed not to detect on the countenance of their host symptoms of +disquietude, the source of which eluded their penetration; but +none ventured to interrogate him on the subject.</p> + +<p>It was evidently the intention of the officer of chasseurs +that his own anxieties should in no way cast a shade over the +festivities; and, as he was a personage whom almost the +population of a world in itself was wont to obey, the gayety of +the ball was not for a moment checked.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, General Kissoff waited until the officer to whom +he had just communicated the dispatch forwarded from Tomsk should +give him permission to withdraw; but the latter still remained +silent. + He had taken the telegram, he had read it carefully, and his +visage became even more clouded than before. + Involuntarily he sought the hilt of his sword, and then passed +his hand for an instant before his eyes, as though, dazzled by +the brilliancy of the light, he wished to shade them, the better +to see into the recesses of his own mind.</p> + +<p>"We are, then," he continued, after having drawn General +Kissoff aside towards a window, "since yesterday without +intelligence from the Grand Duke?"</p> + +<p>"Without any, sire; and it is to be feared that in a short +time dispatches will no longer cross the Siberian frontier."</p> + +<p>"But have not the troops of the provinces of Amoor and +Irkutsk, as those also of the Trans-Balkan territory, received +orders to march immediately upon Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"The orders were transmitted by the last telegram we were able +to send beyond Lake Baikal."</p> + +<p>"And the governments of Yeniseisk, Omsk, Semipolatinsk, and +Tobolsk--are we still in direct communication with them as before +the insurrection?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire; our dispatches have reached them, and we are +assured at the present moment that the Tartars have not advanced +beyond the Irtish and the Obi."</p> + +<p>"And the traitor Ivan Ogareff, are there no tidings of +him?"</p> + +<p>"None," replied General Kissoff. "The head of the police +cannot state whether or not he has crossed the frontier."</p> + +<p>"Let a description of him be immediately dispatched to +Nijni-Novgorod, Perm, Ekaterenburg, Kasirnov, Tioumen, Ishim, +Omsk, Tomsk, and to all the telegraphic stations with which +communication is yet open."</p> + +<p>"Your majesty's orders shall be instantly carried out."</p> + +<p>"You will observe the strictest silence as to this."</p> + +<p>The General, having made a sign of respectful assent, bowing +low, mingled with the crowd, and finally left the apartments +without his departure being remarked.</p> + +<p>The officer remained absorbed in thought for a few moments, +when, recovering himself, he went among the various groups in the +saloon, his countenance reassuming that calm aspect which had for +an instant been disturbed.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the important occurrence which had occasioned +these rapidly exchanged words was not so unknown as the officer +of the chasseurs of the guard and General Kissoff had possibly +supposed. It was not spoken of officially, it is true, nor even +officiously, since tongues were not free; but a few exalted +personages had been informed, more or less exactly, of the events +which had taken place beyond the frontier. + At any rate, that which was only slightly known, that which was +not matter of conversation even between members of the corps +diplomatique, two guests, distinguished by no uniform, no +decoration, at this reception in the New Palace, discussed in a +low voice, and with apparently very correct information.</p> + +<p>By what means, by the exercise of what acuteness had these two +ordinary mortals ascertained that which so many persons of the +highest rank and importance scarcely even suspected? It is +impossible to say. + Had they the gifts of foreknowledge and foresight? Did they +possess a supplementary sense, which enabled them to see beyond +that limited horizon which bounds all human gaze? Had they +obtained a peculiar power of divining the most secret events? Was +it owing to the habit, now become a second nature, of living on +information, that their mental constitution had thus become +really transformed? + It was difficult to escape from this conclusion.</p> + +<p>Of these two men, the one was English, the other French; both +were tall and thin, but the latter was sallow as are the southern +Provencals, while the former was ruddy like a Lancashire +gentleman. + The Anglo-Norman, formal, cold, grave, parsimonious of gestures +and words, appeared only to speak or gesticulate under the +influence of a spring operating at regular intervals. + The Gaul, on the contrary, lively and petulant, expressed +himself with lips, eyes, hands, all at once, having twenty +different ways of explaining his thoughts, whereas his +interlocutor seemed to have only one, immutably stereotyped on +his brain.</p> + +<p>The strong contrast they presented would at once have struck +the most superficial observer; but a physiognomist, regarding +them closely, would have defined their particular characteristics +by saying, that if the Frenchman was "all eyes," the Englishman +was "all ears."</p> + +<p>In fact, the visual apparatus of the one had been singularly +perfected by practice. The sensibility of its retina must have +been as instantaneous as that of those conjurors who recognize a +card merely by a rapid movement in cutting the pack or by the +arrangement only of marks invisible to others. + The Frenchman indeed possessed in the highest degree what may be +called "the memory of the eye."</p> + +<p>The Englishman, on the contrary, appeared especially organized +to listen and to hear. When his aural apparatus had been once +struck by the sound of a voice he could not forget it, and after +ten or even twenty years he would have recognized it among a +thousand. + His ears, to be sure, had not the power of moving as freely as +those of animals who are provided with large auditory flaps; but, +since scientific men know that human ears possess, in fact, a +very limited power of movement, we should not be far wrong in +affirming that those of the said Englishman became erect, and +turned in all directions while endeavoring to gather in the +sounds, in a manner apparent only to the naturalist. + It must be observed that this perfection of sight and hearing +was of wonderful assistance to these two men in their vocation, +for the Englishman acted as correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, +and the Frenchman, as correspondent of what newspaper, or of what +newspapers, he did not say; and when asked, he replied in a +jocular manner that he corresponded with "his cousin Madeleine." +This Frenchman, however, neath his careless surface, was +wonderfully shrewd and sagacious. + Even while speaking at random, perhaps the better to hide his +desire to learn, he never forgot himself. His loquacity even +helped him to conceal his thoughts, and he was perhaps even more +discreet than his confrere of the Daily Telegraph. Both were +present at this fete given at the New Palace on the night of the +15th of July in their character of reporters.</p> + +<p> + It is needless to say that these two men were devoted to their +mission in the world--that they delighted to throw themselves in +the track of the most unexpected intelligence--that nothing +terrified or discouraged them from succeeding--that they +possessed the imperturbable sang froid and the genuine +intrepidity of men of their calling. + Enthusiastic jockeys in this steeplechase, this hunt after +information, they leaped hedges, crossed rivers, sprang over +fences, with the ardor of pure-blooded racers, who will run "a +good first" or die!</p> + +<p>Their journals did not restrict them with regard to money-- +the surest, the most rapid, the most perfect element of +information known to this day. It must also be added, to their +honor, that neither the one nor the other ever looked over or +listened at the walls of private life, and that they only +exercised their vocation when political or social interests were +at stake. + In a word, they made what has been for some years called "the +great political and military reports."</p> + +<p>It will be seen, in following them, that they had generally an +independent mode of viewing events, and, above all, their +consequences, each having his own way of observing and +appreciating.</p> + +<p>The French correspondent was named Alcide Jolivet. Harry +Blount was the name of the Englishman. They had just met for the +first time at this fete in the New Palace, of which they had been +ordered to give an account in their papers. The dissimilarity of +their characters, added to a certain amount of jealousy, which +generally exists between rivals in the same calling, might have +rendered them but little sympathetic. However, they did not avoid +each other, but endeavored rather to exchange with each other the +chat of the day. + They were sportsmen, after all, hunting on the same ground. + That which one missed might be advantageously secured by the +other, and it was to their interest to meet and converse.</p> + +<p>This evening they were both on the look out; they felt, in +fact, that there was something in the air.</p> + +<p>"Even should it be only a wildgoose chase," said Alcide +Jolivet to himself, "it may be worth powder and shot."</p> + +<p>The two correspondents therefore began by cautiously sounding +each other.</p> + +<p>"Really, my dear sir, this little fete is charming!" + said Alcide Jolivet pleasantly, thinking himself obliged to +begin the conversation with this eminently French phrase.</p> + +<p>"I have telegraphed already, 'splendid!'" replied Harry Blount +calmly, employing the word specially devoted to expressing +admiration by all subjects of the United Kingdom.</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless," added Alcide Jolivet, "I felt compelled to +remark to my cousin--"</p> + +<p>"Your cousin?" repeated Harry Blount in a tone of surprise, +interrupting his brother of the pen.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Alcide Jolivet, "my cousin Madeleine. It is +with her that I correspond, and she likes to be quickly and well +informed, does my cousin. I therefore remarked to her that, +during this fete, a sort of cloud had appeared to overshadow the +sovereign's brow."</p> + +<p>"To me, it seemed radiant," replied Harry Blount, who perhaps, +wished to conceal his real opinion on this topic.</p> + +<p>"And, naturally, you made it 'radiant,' in the columns of the +Daily Telegraph."</p> + +<p>"Exactly."</p> + +<p>"Do you remember, Mr. Blount, what occurred at Zakret in +1812?"</p> + +<p>"I remember it as well as if I had been there, sir," + replied the English correspondent.</p> + +<p>"Then," continued Alcide Jolivet, "you know that, in the +middle of a fete given in his honor, it was announced to the +Emperor Alexander that Napoleon had just crossed the Niemen with +the vanguard of the French army. Nevertheless the Emperor did not +leave the fete, and notwithstanding the extreme gravity of +intelligence which might cost him his empire, he did not allow +himself to show more uneasiness."</p> + +<p>"Than our host exhibited when General Kissoff informed him +that the telegraphic wires had just been cut between the frontier +and the government of Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"Ah! you are aware of that?"</p> + +<p>"I am!"</p> + +<p>"As regards myself, it would be difficult to avoid knowing it, +since my last telegram reached Udinsk," observed Alcide Jolivet, +with some satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"And mine only as far as Krasnoiarsk," answered Harry Blount, +in a no less satisfied tone.</p> + +<p>"Then you know also that orders have been sent to the troops +of Nikolaevsk?"</p> + +<p>"I do, sir; and at the same time a telegram was sent to the +Cossacks of the government of Tobolsk to concentrate their +forces."</p> + +<p>"Nothing can be more true, Mr. Blount; I was equally well +acquainted with these measures, and you may be sure that my dear +cousin shall know of them to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Exactly as the readers of the Daily Telegraph shall know it +also, M. Jolivet."</p> + +<p>"Well, when one sees all that is going on. . . ."</p> + +<p>"And when one hears all that is said. . . ."</p> + +<p>"An interesting campaign to follow, Mr. Blount."</p> + +<p>"I shall follow it, M. Jolivet!"</p> + +<p>"Then it is possible that we shall find ourselves on ground +less safe, perhaps, than the floor of this ball-room."</p> + +<p>"Less safe, certainly, but--"</p> + +<p>"But much less slippery," added Alcide Jolivet, holding up his +companion, just as the latter, drawing back, was about to lose +his equilibrium.</p> + +<p>Thereupon the two correspondents separated, pleased that the +one had not stolen a march on the other.</p> + +<p>At that moment the doors of the rooms adjoining the great +reception saloon were thrown open, disclosing to view several +immense tables beautifully laid out, and groaning under a +profusion of valuable china and gold plate. On the central table, +reserved for the princes, princesses, and members of the corps +diplomatique, glittered an epergne of inestimable price, brought +from London, and around this chef-d'oeuvre of chased gold +reflected under the light of the lusters a thousand pieces of +most beautiful service from the manufactories of Sevres.</p> + +<p>The guests of the New Palace immediately began to stream +towards the supper-rooms.</p> + +<p>At that moment. General Kissoff, who had just re-entered, +quickly approached the officer of chasseurs.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked the latter abruptly, as he had done the former +time.</p> + +<p>"Telegrams pass Tomsk no longer, sire."</p> + +<p>"A courier this moment!"</p> + +<p>The officer left the hall and entered a large antechamber +adjoining. + It was a cabinet with plain oak furniture, situated in an angle +of the New Palace. Several pictures, amongst others some by +Horace Vernet, hung on the wall.</p> + +<p>The officer hastily opened a window, as if he felt the want of +air, and stepped out on a balcony to breathe the pure atmosphere +of a lovely July night. Beneath his eyes, bathed in moonlight, +lay a fortified inclosure, from which rose two cathedrals, three +palaces, and an arsenal. + Around this inclosure could be seen three distinct towns: +Kitai-Gorod, Beloi-Gorod, Zemlianai-Gorod--European, Tartar, and +Chinese quarters of great extent, commanded by towers, belfries, +minarets, and the cupolas of three hundred churches, with green +domes, surmounted by the silver cross. + A little winding river, here and there reflected the rays of the +moon.</p> + +<p>This river was the Moskowa; the town Moscow; the fortified +inclosure the Kremlin; and the officer of chasseurs of the guard, +who, with folded arms and thoughtful brow, was listening dreamily +to the sounds floating from the New Palace over the old Muscovite +city, was the Czar.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER II RUSSIANS AND TARTARS</h2> + +<h2> </h2> + +<p>THE Czar had not so suddenly left the ball-room of the New +Palace, when the fete he was giving to the civil and military +authorities and principal people of Moscow was at the height of +its brilliancy, without ample cause; for he had just received +information that serious events were taking place beyond the +frontiers of the Ural. It had become evident that a formidable +rebellion threatened to wrest the Siberian provinces from the +Russian crown.</p> + +<p>Asiatic Russia, or Siberia, covers a superficial area of +1,790,208 square miles, and contains nearly two millions of +inhabitants. + Extending from the Ural Mountains, which separate it from Russia +in Europe, to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, it is bounded on +the south by Turkestan and the Chinese Empire; on the north by +the Arctic Ocean, from the Sea of Kara to Behring's Straits. It +is divided into several governments or provinces, those of +Tobolsk, Yeniseisk, Irkutsk, Omsk, and Yakutsk; contains two +districts, Okhotsk and Kamtschatka; and possesses two countries, +now under the Muscovite dominion-- that of the Kirghiz and that +of the Tshouktshes. This immense extent of steppes, which +includes more than one hundred and ten degrees from west to east, +is a land to which criminals and political offenders are +banished.</p> + +<p> + Two governor-generals represent the supreme authority of the +Czar over this vast country. The higher one resides at Irkutsk, +the far capital of Eastern Siberia. The River Tchouna separates +the two Siberias.</p> + +<p>No rail yet furrows these wide plains, some of which are in +reality extremely fertile. No iron ways lead from those precious +mines which make the Siberian soil far richer below than above +its surface. + The traveler journeys in summer in a kibick or telga; in winter, +in a sledge.</p> + +<p>An electric telegraph, with a single wire more than eight +thousand versts in length, alone affords communication between +the western and eastern frontiers of Siberia. On issuing from the +Ural, it passes through Ekaterenburg, Kasirnov, Tioumen, Ishim, +Omsk, Elamsk, Kolyvan, Tomsk, Krasnoiarsk, Nijni-Udinsk, Irkutsk, +Verkne-Nertschink, Strelink, Albazine, Blagowstenks, Radde, +Orlomskaya, Alexandrowskoe, and Nikolaevsk; and six roubles and +nineteen copecks are paid for every word sent from one end to the +other. From Irkutsk there is a branch to Kiatka, on the Mongolian +frontier; and from thence, for thirty copecks a word, the post +conveys the dispatches to Pekin in a fortnight.</p> + +<p>It was this wire, extending from Ekaterenburg to Nikolaevsk, +which had been cut, first beyond Tomsk, and then between Tomsk +and Kolyvan.</p> + +<p>This was why the Czar, to the communication made to him for +the second time by General Kissoff, had answered by the words, "A +courier this moment!"</p> + +<p>The Czar remained motionless at the window for a few moments, +when the door was again opened. The chief of police appeared on +the threshold.</p> + +<p>"Enter, General," said the Czar briefly, "and tell me all you +know of Ivan Ogareff."</p> + +<p>"He is an extremely dangerous man, sire," replied the chief of +police.</p> + +<p>"He ranked as colonel, did he not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire."</p> + +<p>"Was he an intelligent officer?"</p> + +<p>"Very intelligent, but a man whose spirit it was impossible to +subdue; and possessing an ambition which stopped at nothing, he +became involved in secret intrigues, and was degraded from his +rank by his Highness the Grand Duke, and exiled to Siberia."</p> + +<p>"How long ago was that?"</p> + +<p>"Two years since. Pardoned after six months of exile by your +majesty's favor, he returned to Russia."</p> + +<p>"And since that time, has he not revisited Siberia?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire; but he voluntarily returned there," replied the +chief of police, adding, and slightly lowering his voice, "there +was a time, sire, when NONE returned from Siberia."</p> + +<p>"Well, whilst I live, Siberia is and shall be a country whence +men CAN return."</p> + +<p>The Czar had the right to utter these words with some pride, +for often, by his clemency, he had shown that Russian justice +knew how to pardon.</p> + +<p>The head of the police did not reply to this observation, but +it was evident that he did not approve of such half-measures. +According to his idea, a man who had once passed the Ural +Mountains in charge of policemen, ought never again to cross +them. Now, it was not thus under the new reign, and the chief of +police sincerely deplored it. + What! no banishment for life for other crimes than those against +social order! What! political exiles returning from Tobolsk, from +Yakutsk, from Irkutsk! In truth, the chief of police, accustomed +to the despotic sentences of the ukase which formerly never +pardoned, could not understand this mode of governing. + But he was silent, waiting until the Czar should interrogate him +further. + The questions were not long in coming.</p> + +<p>"Did not Ivan Ogareff," asked the Czar, "return to Russia a +second time, after that journey through the Siberian provinces, +the object of which remains unknown?"</p> + +<p>"He did."</p> + +<p>"And have the police lost trace of him since?"</p> + +<p>"No, sire; for an offender only becomes really dangerous from +the day he has received his pardon."</p> + +<p>The Czar frowned. Perhaps the chief of police feared that he +had gone rather too far, though the stubbornness of his ideas was +at least equal to the boundless devotion he felt for his +master. + But the Czar, disdaining to reply to these indirect reproaches +cast on his policy, continued his questions. + "Where was Ogareff last heard of?"</p> + +<p>"In the province of Perm."</p> + +<p>"In what town?"</p> + +<p>"At Perm itself."</p> + +<p>"What was he doing?"</p> + +<p>"He appeared unoccupied, and there was nothing suspicious in +his conduct."</p> + +<p>"Then he was not under the surveillance of the secret +police?"</p> + +<p>"No, sire."</p> + +<p>"When did he leave Perm?"</p> + +<p>"About the month of March?"</p> + +<p>"To go...?"</p> + +<p>"Where, is unknown."</p> + +<p>"And it is not known what has become of him?"</p> + +<p>"No, sire; it is not known."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I myself know," answered the Czar. "I have +received anonymous communications which did not pass through the +police department; and, in the face of events now taking place +beyond the frontier, I have every reason to believe that they are +correct."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean, sire," cried the chief of police, "that Ivan +Ogareff has a hand in this Tartar rebellion?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I do; and I will now tell you something which you are +ignorant of. After leaving Perm, Ivan Ogareff crossed the Ural +mountains, entered Siberia, and penetrated the Kirghiz steppes, +and there endeavored, not without success, to foment rebellion +amongst their nomadic population. + He then went so far south as free Turkestan; there, in the +provinces of Bokhara, Khokhand, and Koondooz, he found chiefs +willing to pour their Tartar hordes into Siberia, and excite a +general rising in Asiatic Russia. The storm has been silently +gathering, but it has at last burst like a thunderclap, and now +all means of communication between Eastern and Western Siberia +have been stopped. Moreover, Ivan Ogareff, thirsting for +vengeance, aims at the life of my brother!"</p> + +<p>The Czar had become excited whilst speaking, and now paced up +and down with hurried steps. The chief of police said nothing, +but he thought to himself that, during the time when the emperors +of Russia never pardoned an exile, schemes such as those of Ivan +Ogareff could never have been realized. + Approaching the Czar, who had thrown himself into an armchair, +he asked, "Your majesty has of course given orders so that this +rebellion may be suppressed as soon as possible?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the Czar. "The last telegram which reached +Nijni-Udinsk would set in motion the troops in the governments of +Yenisei, Irkutsk, Yakutsk, as well as those in the provinces of +the Amoor and Lake Baikal. At the same time, the regiments from +Perm and Nijni-Novgorod, and the Cossacks from the frontier, are +advancing by forced marches towards the Ural Mountains; but some +weeks must pass before they can attack the Tartars."</p> + +<p>"And your majesty's brother, his Highness the Grand Duke, is +now isolated in the government of Irkutsk, and is no longer in +direct communication with Moscow?"</p> + +<p>"That is so."</p> + +<p>"But by the last dispatches, he must know what measures have +been taken by your majesty, and what help he may expect from the +governments nearest Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"He knows that," answered the Czar; "but what he does not know +is, that Ivan Ogareff, as well as being a rebel, is also playing +the part of a traitor, and that in him he has a personal and +bitter enemy. + It is to the Grand Duke that Ogareff owes his first disgrace; +and what is more serious is, that this man is not known to +him. + Ogareff's plan, therefore, is to go to Irkutsk, and, under an +assumed name, offer his services to the Grand Duke. Then, after +gaining his confidence, when the Tartars have invested Irkutsk, +he will betray the town, and with it my brother, whose life he +seeks. + This is what I have learned from my secret intelligence; this is +what the Grand Duke does not know; and this is what he must +know!"</p> + +<p>"Well, sire, an intelligent, courageous courier . . ."</p> + +<p>"I momentarily expect one."</p> + +<p>"And it is to be hoped he will be expeditious," added the +chief of police; "for, allow me to add, sire, that Siberia is a +favorable land for rebellions."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say. General, that the exiles would make +common cause with the rebels?" exclaimed the Czar.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, your majesty," stammered the chief of police, for +that was really the idea suggested to him by his uneasy and +suspicious mind.</p> + +<p>"I believe in their patriotism," returned the Czar.</p> + +<p>"There are other offenders besides political exiles in +Siberia," + said the chief of police.</p> + +<p>"The criminals? Oh, General, I give those up to you! + They are the vilest, I grant, of the human race. + They belong to no country. But the insurrection, or rather, the +rebellion, is not to oppose the emperor; it is raised against +Russia, against the country which the exiles have not lost all +hope of again seeing--and which they will see again. + No, a Russian would never unite with a Tartar, to weaken, were +it only for an hour, the Muscovite power!"</p> + +<p>The Czar was right in trusting to the patriotism of those whom +his policy kept, for a time, at a distance. Clemency, which was +the foundation of his justice, when he could himself direct its +effects, the modifications he had adopted with regard to +applications for the formerly terrible ukases, warranted the +belief that he was not mistaken. + But even without this powerful element of success in regard to +the Tartar rebellion, circumstances were not the less very +serious; for it was to be feared that a large part of the Kirghiz +population would join the rebels.</p> + +<p>The Kirghiz are divided into three hordes, the greater, the +lesser, and the middle, and number nearly four hundred thousand +"tents," + or two million souls. Of the different tribes some are +independent and others recognize either the sovereignty of Russia +or that of the Khans of Khiva, Khokhand, and Bokhara, the most +formidable chiefs of Turkestan. The middle horde, the richest, is +also the largest, and its encampments occupy all the space +between the rivers Sara Sou, Irtish, and the Upper Ishim, Lake +Saisang and Lake Aksakal. The greater horde, occupying the +countries situated to the east of the middle one, extends as far +as the governments of Omsk and Tobolsk. Therefore, if the Kirghiz +population should rise, it would be the rebellion of Asiatic +Russia, and the first thing would be the separation of Siberia, +to the east of the Yenisei.</p> + +<p>It is true that these Kirghiz, mere novices in the art of war, +are rather nocturnal thieves and plunderers of caravans than +regular soldiers. + As M. Levchine says, "a firm front or a square of good infantry +could repel ten times the number of Kirghiz; and a single cannon +might destroy a frightful number."</p> + +<p>That may be; but to do this it is necessary for the square of +good infantry to reach the rebellious country, and the cannon to +leave the arsenals of the Russian provinces, perhaps two or three +thousand versts distant. Now, except by the direct route from +Ekaterenburg to Irkutsk, the often marshy steppes are not easily +practicable, and some weeks must certainly pass before the +Russian troops could reach the Tartar hordes.</p> + +<p>Omsk is the center of that military organization of Western +Siberia which is intended to overawe the Kirghiz population. Here +are the bounds, more than once infringed by the half-subdued +nomads, and there was every reason to believe that Omsk was +already in danger. + The line of military stations, that is to say, those Cossack +posts which are ranged in echelon from Omsk to Semipolatinsk, +must have been broken in several places. Now, it was to be feared +that the "Grand Sultans," who govern the Kirghiz districts would +either voluntarily accept, or involuntarily submit to, the +dominion of Tartars, Mussulmen like themselves, and that to the +hate caused by slavery was not united the hate due to the +antagonism of the Greek and Mussulman religions. + For some time, indeed, the Tartars of Turkestan had endeavored, +both by force and persuasion, to subdue the Kirghiz hordes.</p> + +<p>A few words only with respect to these Tartars. The Tartars +belong more especially to two distinct races, the Caucasian and +the Mongolian. The Caucasian race, which, as Abel de Remusat +says, "is regarded in Europe as the type of beauty in our +species, because all the nations in this part of the world have +sprung from it," + includes also the Turks and the Persians. The purely Mongolian +race comprises the Mongols, Manchoux, and Thibetans.</p> + +<p>The Tartars who now threatened the Russian Empire, belonged to +the Caucasian race, and occupied Turkestan. This immense country +is divided into different states, governed by Khans, and hence +termed Khanats. The principal khanats are those of Bokhara, +Khokhand, Koondooz, etc. At this period, the most important and +the most formidable khanat was that of Bokhara. Russia had +already been several times at war with its chiefs, who, for their +own interests, had supported the independence of the Kirghiz +against the Muscovite dominion. + The present chief, Feofar-Khan, followed in the steps of his +predecessors.</p> + +<p>The khanat of Bokhara has a population of two million five +hundred thousand inhabitants, an army of sixty thousand men, +trebled in time of war, and thirty thousand horsemen. + It is a rich country, with varied animal, vegetable, and mineral +products, and has been increased by the accession of the +territories of Balkh, Aukoi, and Meimaneh. It possesses nineteen +large towns. Bokhara, surrounded by a wall measuring more than +eight English miles, and flanked with towers, a glorious city, +made illustrious by Avicenna and other learned men of the tenth +century, is regarded as the center of Mussulman science, and +ranks among the most celebrated cities of Central Asia. +Samarcand, which contains the tomb of Tamerlane and the famous +palace where the blue stone is kept on which each new khan must +seat himself on his accession, is defended by a very strong +citadel. Karschi, with its triple cordon, situated in an oasis, +surrounded by a marsh peopled with tortoises and lizards, is +almost impregnable, Is-chardjoui is defended by a population of +twenty thousand souls. + Protected by its mountains, and isolated by its steppes, the +khanat of Bokhara is a most formidable state; and Russia would +need a large force to subdue it.</p> + +<p>The fierce and ambitious Feofar now governed this corner of +Tartary. Relying on the other khans--principally those of +Khokhand and Koondooz, cruel and rapacious warriors, all ready to +join an enterprise so dear to Tartar instincts--aided by the +chiefs who ruled all the hordes of Central Asia, he had placed +himself at the head of the rebellion of which Ivan Ogareff was +the instigator. + This traitor, impelled by insane ambition as much as by hate, +had ordered the movement so as to attack Siberia. Mad indeed he +was, if he hoped to rupture the Muscovite Empire. Acting under +his suggestion, the Emir--which is the title taken by the khans +of Bokhara--had poured his hordes over the Russian frontier. + He invaded the government of Semipolatinsk, and the Cossacks, +who were only in small force there, had been obliged to retire +before him. He had advanced farther than Lake Balkhash, gaining +over the Kirghiz population on his way. Pillaging, ravaging, +enrolling those who submitted, taking prisoners those who +resisted, he marched from one town to another, followed by those +impedimenta of Oriental sovereignty which may be called his +household, his wives and his slaves--all with the cool audacity +of a modern Ghengis-Khan. It was impossible to ascertain where he +now was; how far his soldiers had marched before the news of the +rebellion reached Moscow; or to what part of Siberia the Russian +troops had been forced to retire. All communication was +interrupted. + Had the wire between Kolyvan and Tomsk been cut by Tartar +scouts, or had the Emir himself arrived at the Yeniseisk +provinces? + Was all the lower part of Western Siberia in a ferment? + Had the rebellion already spread to the eastern regions? + No one could say. The only agent which fears neither cold nor +heat, which can neither be stopped by the rigors of winter nor +the heat of summer, and which flies with the rapidity of +lightning-- the electric current--was prevented from traversing +the steppes, and it was no longer possible to warn the Grand +Duke, shut up in Irkutsk, of the danger threatening him from the +treason of Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>A courier only could supply the place of the interrupted +current. + It would take this man some time to traverse the five thousand +two hundred versts between Moscow and Irkutsk. To pass the ranks +of the rebels and invaders he must display almost superhuman +courage and intelligence. + But with a clear head and a firm heart much can be done.</p> + +<p>"Shall I be able to find this head and heart?" thought the +Czar.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER III MICHAEL STROGOFF MEETS THE CZAR</h2> + +<p>THE door of the imperial cabinet was again opened and General +Kissoff was announced.</p> + +<p>"The courier?" inquired the Czar eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He is here, sire," replied General Kissoff.</p> + +<p>"Have you found a fitting man?"</p> + +<p>"I will answer for him to your majesty."</p> + +<p>"Has he been in the service of the Palace?"</p> + +<p> + "Yes, sire."</p> + +<p>"You know him?"</p> + +<p>"Personally, and at various times he has fulfilled difficult +missions with success."</p> + +<p>"Abroad?"</p> + +<p>"In Siberia itself."</p> + +<p>"Where does he come from?"</p> + +<p>"From Omsk. He is a Siberian."</p> + +<p>"Has he coolness, intelligence, courage?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire; he has all the qualities necessary to succeed, +even where others might possibly fail."</p> + +<p>"What is his age?"</p> + +<p>"Thirty."</p> + +<p>"Is he strong and vigorous?"</p> + +<p>"Sire, he can bear cold, hunger, thirst, fatigue, to the very +last extremities."</p> + +<p>"He must have a frame of iron."</p> + +<p>"Sire, he has."</p> + +<p>"And a heart?"</p> + +<p>"A heart of gold."</p> + +<p>"His name?"</p> + +<p>"Michael Strogoff."</p> + +<p>"Is he ready to set out?"</p> + +<p>"He awaits your majesty's orders in the guard-room."</p> + +<p>"Let him come in," said the Czar.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Michael Strogoff, the courier, entered the +imperial library. He was a tall, vigorous, broad-shouldered, +deep-chested man. + His powerful head possessed the fine features of the Caucasian +race. + His well-knit frame seemed built for the performance of feats of +strength. It would have been a difficult task to move such a man +against his will, for when his feet were once planted on the +ground, it was as if they had taken root. As he doffed his +Muscovite cap, locks of thick curly hair fell over his broad, +massive forehead. + When his ordinarily pale face became at all flushed, it arose +solely from a more rapid action of the heart. + His eyes, of a deep blue, looked with clear, frank, firm +gaze. + The slightly-contracted eyebrows indicated lofty heroism--"the +hero's cool courage," according to the definition of the +physiologist. + He possessed a fine nose, with large nostrils; and a well-shaped +mouth, with the slightly-projecting lips which denote a generous +and noble heart.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff had the temperament of the man of action, who +does not bite his nails or scratch his head in doubt and +indecision. + Sparing of gestures as of words, he always stood motionless like +a soldier before his superior; but when he moved, his step showed +a firmness, a freedom of movement, which proved the confidence +and vivacity of his mind.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff wore a handsome military uniform something +resembling that of a light-cavalry officer in the field-- boots, +spurs, half tightly-fitting trousers, brown pelisse, trimmed with +fur and ornamented with yellow braid. + On his breast glittered a cross and several medals.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff belonged to the special corps of the Czar's +couriers, ranking as an officer among those picked men. + His most discernible characteristic--particularly in his walk, +his face, in the whole man, and which the Czar perceived at a +glance--was, that he was "a fulfiller of orders." + He therefore possessed one of the most serviceable qualities in +Russia--one which, as the celebrated novelist Tourgueneff says, +"will lead to the highest positions in the Muscovite empire."</p> + +<p>In short, if anyone could accomplish this journey from Moscow +to Irkutsk, across a rebellious country, surmount obstacles, and +brave perils of all sorts, Michael Strogoff was the man.</p> + +<p>A circumstance especially favorable to the success of his plan +was, that he was thoroughly acquainted with the country which he +was about to traverse, and understood its different dialects-- +not only from having traveled there before, but because he was of +Siberian origin.</p> + +<p>His father--old Peter Strogoff, dead ten years since-- +inhabited the town of Omsk, situated in the government of the +same name; and his mother, Marfa Strogoff, lived there still. + There, amid the wild steppes of the provinces of Omsk and +Tobolsk, had the famous huntsman brought up his son Michael to +endure hardship. + Peter Strogoff was a huntsman by profession. Summer and winter-- +in the burning heat, as well as when the cold was sometimes fifty +degrees below zero--he scoured the frozen plains, the thickets of +birch and larch, the pine forests; setting traps; watching for +small game with his gun, and for large game with the spear or +knife. + The large game was nothing less than the Siberian bear, a +formidable and ferocious animal, in size equaling its fellow of +the frozen seas. + Peter Strogoff had killed more than thirty-nine bears--that is +to say, the fortieth had fallen under his blows; and, according +to Russian legends, most huntsmen who have been lucky enough up +to the thirty-ninth bear, have succumbed to the fortieth.</p> + +<p>Peter Strogoff had, however, passed the fatal number without +even a scratch. From that time, his son Michael, aged eleven +years, never failed to accompany him to the hunt, carrying the +ragatina or spear to aid his father, who was armed only with the +knife. + When he was fourteen, Michael Strogoff had killed his first +bear, quite alone--that was nothing; but after stripping it he +dragged the gigantic animal's skin to his father's house, many +versts distant, exhibiting remarkable strength in a boy so +young.</p> + +<p>This style of life was of great benefit to him, and when he +arrived at manhood he could bear any amount of cold, heat, +hunger, thirst, or fatigue. Like the Yakout of the northern +countries, he was made of iron. He could go four-and-twenty hours +without eating, ten nights without sleeping, and could make +himself a shelter in the open steppe where others would have been +frozen to death. + Gifted with marvelous acuteness, guided by the instinct of the +Delaware of North America, over the white plain, when every +object is hidden in mist, or even in higher latitudes, where the +polar night is prolonged for many days, he could find his way +when others would have had no idea whither to turn. All his +father's secrets were known to him. He had learnt to read almost +imperceptible signs-- the forms of icicles, the appearance of the +small branches of trees, mists rising far away in the horizon, +vague sounds in the air, distant reports, the flight of birds +through the foggy atmosphere, a thousand circumstances which are +so many words to those who can decipher them. Moreover, tempered +by snow like a Damascus blade in the waters of Syria, he had a +frame of iron, as General Kissoff had said, and, what was no less +true, a heart of gold.</p> + +<p>The only sentiment of love felt by Michael Strogoff was that +which he entertained for his mother, the aged Marfa, who could +never be induced to leave the house of the Strogoffs, at Omsk, on +the banks of the Irtish, where the old huntsman and she had lived +so long together. + When her son left her, he went away with a full heart, but +promising to come and see her whenever he could possibly do so; +and this promise he had always religiously kept.</p> + +<p>When Michael was twenty, it was decided that he should enter +the personal service of the Emperor of Russia, in the corps of +the couriers of the Czar. The hardy, intelligent, zealous, +well-conducted young Siberian first distinguished himself +especially, in a journey to the Caucasus, through the midst of a +difficult country, ravaged by some restless successors of +Schamyl; then later, in an important mission to Petropolowski, in +Kamtschatka, the extreme limit of Asiatic Russia. During these +long journeys he displayed such marvelous coolness, prudence, and +courage, as to gain him the approbation and protection of his +chiefs, who rapidly advanced him in his profession.</p> + +<p>The furloughs which were his due after these distant missions, +he never failed to devote to his old mother. Having been much +employed in the south of the empire, he had not seen old Marfa +for three years-- three ages!--the first time in his life he had +been so long absent from her. Now, however, in a few days he +would obtain his furlough, and he had accordingly already made +preparations for departure for Omsk, when the events which have +been related occurred. + Michael Strogoff was therefore introduced into the Czar's +presence in complete ignorance of what the emperor expected from +him.</p> + +<p>The Czar fixed a penetrating look upon him without uttering a +word, whilst Michael stood perfectly motionless.</p> + +<p>The Czar, apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, motioned to +the chief of police to seat himself, and dictated in a low voice +a letter of not more than a few lines.</p> + +<p>The letter penned, the Czar re-read it attentively, then +signed it, preceding his name with the words "Byt po semou," +which, signifying "So be it," constitutes the decisive formula of +the Russian emperors.</p> + +<p>The letter was then placed in an envelope, which was sealed +with the imperial arms.</p> + +<p>The Czar, rising, told Michael Strogoff to draw near.</p> + +<p>Michael advanced a few steps, and then stood motionless, ready +to answer.</p> + +<p>The Czar again looked him full in the face and their eyes +met. + Then in an abrupt tone, "Thy name?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Michael Strogoff, sire."</p> + +<p>"Thy rank?"</p> + +<p>"Captain in the corps of couriers of the Czar."</p> + +<p>"Thou dost know Siberia?"</p> + +<p>"I am a Siberian."</p> + +<p>"A native of?"</p> + +<p>"Omsk, sire."</p> + +<p>"Hast thou relations there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes sire."</p> + +<p>"What relations?"</p> + +<p>"My old mother."</p> + +<p>The Czar suspended his questions for a moment. Then, pointing +to the letter which he held in his hand, "Here is a letter which +I charge thee, Michael Strogoff, to deliver into the hands of the +Grand Duke, and to no other but him."</p> + +<p>"I will deliver it, sire."</p> + +<p>"The Grand Duke is at Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"I will go to Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"Thou wilt have to traverse a rebellious country, invaded by +Tartars, whose interest it will be to intercept this letter."</p> + +<p>"I will traverse it."</p> + +<p>"Above all, beware of the traitor, Ivan Ogareff, who will +perhaps meet thee on the way."</p> + +<p>"I will beware of him."</p> + +<p>"Wilt thou pass through Omsk?"</p> + +<p>"Sire, that is my route."</p> + +<p>"If thou dost see thy mother, there will be the risk of being +recognized. + Thou must not see her!"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>"I will not see her," said he.</p> + +<p>"Swear to me that nothing will make thee acknowledge who thou +art, nor whither thou art going."</p> + +<p>"I swear it."</p> + +<p>"Michael Strogoff," continued the Czar, giving the letter to +the young courier, "take this letter; on it depends the safety of +all Siberia, and perhaps the life of my brother the Grand +Duke."</p> + +<p>"This letter shall be delivered to his Highness the Grand +Duke."</p> + +<p>"Then thou wilt pass whatever happens?"</p> + +<p>"I shall pass, or they shall kill me."</p> + +<p>"I want thee to live."</p> + +<p>"I shall live, and I shall pass," answered Michael +Strogoff.</p> + +<p>The Czar appeared satisfied with Strogoff's calm and simple +answer.</p> + +<p>"Go then, Michael Strogoff," said he, "go for God, for Russia, +for my brother, and for myself!"</p> + +<p>The courier, having saluted his sovereign, immediately left +the imperial cabinet, and, in a few minutes, the New Palace.</p> + +<p>"You made a good choice there, General," said the Czar.</p> + +<p>"I think so, sire," replied General Kissoff; "and your majesty +may be sure that Michael Strogoff will do all that a man can +do."</p> + +<p>"He is indeed a man," said the Czar.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER IV FROM MOSCOW TO NIJNI-NOVGOROD</h2> + +<p>THE distance between Moscow and Irkutsk, about to be traversed +by Michael Strogoff, was three thousand four hundred miles. + Before the telegraph wire extended from the Ural Mountains to +the eastern frontier of Siberia, the dispatch service was +performed by couriers, those who traveled the most rapidly taking +eighteen days to get from Moscow to Irkutsk. But this was the +exception, and the journey through Asiatic Russia usually +occupied from four to five weeks, even though every available +means of transport was placed at the disposal of the Czar's +messengers.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was a man who feared neither frost nor +snow. + He would have preferred traveling during the severe winter +season, in order that he might perform the whole distance by +sleighs. + At that period of the year the difficulties which all other +means of locomotion present are greatly diminished, the wide +steppes being leveled by snow, while there are no rivers to +cross, but simply sheets of glass, over which the sleigh glides +rapidly and easily.</p> + +<p> + Perhaps certain natural phenomena are most to be feared at that +time, such as long-continuing and dense fogs, excessive cold, +fearfully heavy snow-storms, which sometimes envelop whole +caravans and cause their destruction. Hungry wolves also roam +over the plain in thousands. + But it would have been better for Michael Strogoff to face these +risks; for during the winter the Tartar invaders would have been +stationed in the towns, any movement of their troops would have +been impracticable, and he could consequently have more easily +performed his journey. + But it was not in his power to choose either weather or +time. + Whatever the circumstances, he must accept them and set out.</p> + +<p>Such were the difficulties which Michael Strogoff boldly +confronted and prepared to encounter.</p> + +<p>In the first place, he must not travel as a courier of the +Czar usually would. No one must even suspect what he really +was. + Spies swarm in a rebellious country; let him be recognized, and +his mission would be in danger. Also, while supplying him with a +large sum of money, which was sufficient for his journey, and +would facilitate it in some measure, General Kissoff had not +given him any document notifying that he was on the Emperor's +service, which is the Sesame par excellence. + He contented himself with furnishing him with a "podorojna."</p> + +<p>This podorojna was made out in the name of Nicholas Korpanoff, +merchant, living at Irkutsk. It authorized Nicholas Korpanoff to +be accompanied by one or more persons, and, moreover, it was, by +special notification, made available in the event of the +Muscovite government forbidding natives of any other countries to +leave Russia.</p> + +<p>The podorojna is simply a permission to take post-horses; but +Michael Strogoff was not to use it unless he was sure that by so +doing he would not excite suspicion as to his mission, that is to +say, whilst he was on European territory. + The consequence was that in Siberia, whilst traversing the +insurgent provinces, he would have no power over the relays, +either in the choice of horses in preference to others, or in +demanding conveyances for his personal use; neither was Michael +Strogoff to forget that he was no longer a courier, but a plain +merchant, Nicholas Korpanoff, traveling from Moscow to Irkutsk, +and, as such exposed to all the impediments of an ordinary +journey.</p> + +<p>To pass unknown, more or less rapidly, but to pass somehow, +such were the directions he had received.</p> + +<p>Thirty years previously, the escort of a traveler of rank +consisted of not less than two hundred mounted Cossacks, two +hundred foot-soldiers, twenty-five Baskir horsemen, three hundred +camels, four hundred horses, twenty-five wagons, two portable +boats, and two pieces of cannon. + All this was requisite for a journey in Siberia.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, however, had neither cannon, nor horsemen, +nor foot-soldiers, nor beasts of burden. He would travel in a +carriage or on horseback, when he could; on foot, when he could +not.</p> + +<p>There would be no difficulty in getting over the first +thousand miles, the distance between Moscow and the Russian +frontier. + Railroads, post-carriages, steamboats, relays of horses, were at +everyone's disposal, and consequently at the disposal of the +courier of the Czar.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, on the morning of the 16th of July, having doffed +his uniform, with a knapsack on his back, dressed in the simple +Russian costume--tightly-fitting tunic, the traditional belt of +the Moujik, wide trousers, gartered at the knees, and high +boots-- Michael Strogoff arrived at the station in time for the +first train. + He carried no arms, openly at least, but under his belt was +hidden a revolver and in his pocket, one of those large knives, +resembling both a cutlass and a yataghan, with which a Siberian +hunter can so neatly disembowel a bear, without injuring its +precious fur.</p> + +<p>A crowd of travelers had collected at the Moscow station. + The stations on the Russian railroads are much used as places +for meeting, not only by those who are about to proceed by the +train, but by friends who come to see them off. + The station resembles, from the variety of characters assembled, +a small news exchange.</p> + +<p>The train in which Michael took his place was to set him down +at Nijni-Novgorod. There terminated at that time, the iron road +which, uniting Moscow and St. Petersburg, has since been +continued to the Russian frontier. It was a journey of under +three hundred miles, and the train would accomplish it in ten +hours. + Once arrived at Nijni-Novgorod, Strogoff would either take the +land route or the steamer on the Volga, so as to reach the Ural +Mountains as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff ensconced himself in his corner, like a +worthy citizen whose affairs go well with him, and who endeavors +to kill time by sleep. Nevertheless, as he was not alone in his +compartment, he slept with one eye open, and listened with both +his ears.</p> + +<p>In fact, rumor of the rising of the Kirghiz hordes, and of the +Tartar invasion had transpired in some degree. The occupants of +the carriage, whom chance had made his traveling companions, +discussed the subject, though with that caution which has become +habitual among Russians, who know that spies are ever on the +watch for any treasonable expressions which may be uttered.</p> + +<p>These travelers, as well as the large number of persons in the +train, were merchants on their way to the celebrated fair of +Nijni-Novgorod;--a very mixed assembly, composed of Jews, Turks, +Cossacks, Russians, Georgians, Kalmucks, and others, but nearly +all speaking the national tongue.</p> + +<p>They discussed the pros and cons of the serious events which +were taking place beyond the Ural, and those merchants seemed to +fear lest the government should be led to take certain +restrictive measures, especially in the provinces bordering on +the frontier--measures from which trade would certainly +suffer. + They apparently thought only of the struggle from the single +point of view of their threatened interests. The presence of a +private soldier, clad in his uniform--and the importance of a +uniform in Russia is great--would have certainly been enough to +restrain the merchants' tongues. But in the compartment occupied +by Michael Strogoff, there was no one who seemed a military man, +and the Czar's courier was not the person to betray himself. + He listened, then.</p> + +<p>"They say that caravan teas are up," remarked a Persian, known +by his cap of Astrakhan fur, and his ample brown robe, worn +threadbare by use.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's no fear of teas falling," answered an old Jew of +sullen aspect. "Those in the market at Nijni-Novgorod will be +easily cleared off by the West; but, unfortunately, it won't be +the same with Bokhara carpets."</p> + +<p>"What! are you expecting goods from Bokhara?" asked the +Persian.</p> + +<p>"No, but from Samarcand, and that is even more exposed. + The idea of reckoning on the exports of a country in which the +khans are in a state of revolt from Khiva to the Chinese +frontier!"</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the Persian, "if the carpets do not arrive, +the drafts will not arrive either, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"And the profits, Father Abraham!" exclaimed the little Jew, +"do you reckon them as nothing?"</p> + +<p>"You are right," said another; "goods from Central Asia run a +great risk in the market, and it will be the same with the tallow +and shawls from the East."</p> + +<p>"Why, look out, little father," said a Russian traveler, in a +bantering tone; "you'll grease your shawls terribly if you mix +them up with your tallow."</p> + +<p>"That amuses you," sharply answered the merchant, who had +little relish for that sort of joke.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you tear your hair, or if you throw ashes on your +head," + replied the traveler, "will that change the course of +events? + No; no more than the course of the Exchange."</p> + +<p>"One can easily see that you are not a merchant," observed the +little Jew.</p> + +<p>"Faith, no, worthy son of Abraham! I sell neither hops, nor +eider-down, nor honey, nor wax, nor hemp-seed, nor salt meat, nor +caviare, nor wood, nor wool, nor ribbons, nor, hemp, nor flax, +nor morocco, nor furs."</p> + +<p>"But do you buy them?" asked the Persian, interrupting the +traveler's list.</p> + +<p>"As little as I can, and only for my own private use," + answered the other, with a wink.</p> + +<p>"He's a wag," said the Jew to the Persian.</p> + +<p>"Or a spy," replied the other, lowering his voice. + "We had better take care, and not speak more than necessary. + The police are not over-particular in these times, and you never +can know with whom you are traveling."</p> + +<p>In another corner of the compartment they were speaking less +of mercantile affairs, and more of the Tartar invasion and its +annoying consequences.</p> + +<p>"All the horses in Siberia will be requisitioned," said a +traveler, "and communication between the different provinces of +Central Asia will become very difficult."</p> + +<p>"Is it true," asked his neighbor, "that the Kirghiz of the +middle horde have joined the Tartars?"</p> + +<p>"So it is said," answered the traveler, lowering his voice; +"but who can flatter themselves that they know anything really of +what is going on in this country?"</p> + +<p>"I have heard speak of a concentration of troops on the +frontier. + The Don Cossacks have already gathered along the course of the +Volga, and they are to be opposed to the rebel Kirghiz."</p> + +<p>"If the Kirghiz descend the Irtish, the route to Irkutsk will +not be safe," observed his neighbor. "Besides, yesterday I wanted +to send a telegram to Krasnoiarsk, and it could not be +forwarded. + It's to be feared that before long the Tartar columns will have +isolated Eastern Siberia."</p> + +<p>"In short, little father," continued the first speaker, "these +merchants have good reason for being uneasy about their trade and +transactions. + After requisitioning the horses, they will take the boats, +carriages, every means of transport, until presently no one will +be allowed to take even one step in all the empire."</p> + +<p>"I'm much afraid that the Nijni-Novgorod fair won't end as +brilliantly as it has begun," responded the other, shaking his +head. + "But the safety and integrity of the Russian territory before +everything. + Business is business."</p> + +<p>If in this compartment the subject of conversation varied but +little-- nor did it, indeed, in the other carriages of the +train--in all it might have been observed that the talkers used +much circumspection. + When they did happen to venture out of the region of facts, they +never went so far as to attempt to divine the intentions of the +Muscovite government, or even to criticize them.</p> + +<p>This was especially remarked by a traveler in a carriage at +the front part of the train. This person--evidently a stranger-- +made good use of his eyes, and asked numberless questions, to +which he received only evasive answers. Every minute leaning out +of the window, which he would keep down, to the great disgust of +his fellow-travelers, he lost nothing of the views to the +right. + He inquired the names of the most insignificant places, their +position, what were their commerce, their manufactures, the +number of their inhabitants, the average mortality, etc., and all +this he wrote down in a note-book, already full.</p> + +<p>This was the correspondent Alcide Jolivet, and the reason of +his putting so many insignificant questions was, that amongst the +many answers he received, he hoped to find some interesting fact +"for his cousin." + But, naturally enough, he was taken for a spy, and not a word +treating of the events of the day was uttered in his hearing.</p> + +<p>Finding, therefore, that he could learn nothing of the Tartar +invasion, he wrote in his book, "Travelers of great +discretion. + Very close as to political matters."</p> + +<p>Whilst Alcide Jolivet noted down his impressions thus +minutely, his confrere, in the same train, traveling for the same +object, was devoting himself to the same work of observation in +another compartment. Neither of them had seen each other that day +at the Moscow station, and they were each ignorant that the other +had set out to visit the scene of the war. + Harry Blount, speaking little, but listening much, had not +inspired his companions with the suspicions which Alcide Jolivet +had aroused. + He was not taken for a spy, and therefore his neighbors, without +constraint, gossiped in his presence, allowing themselves even to +go farther than their natural caution would in most cases have +allowed them. The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph had thus +an opportunity of observing how much recent events preoccupied +the merchants of Nijni-Novgorod, and to what a degree the +commerce with Central Asia was threatened in its transit.</p> + +<p>He therefore noted in his book this perfectly correct +observation, "My fellow-travelers extremely anxious. Nothing is +talked of but war, and they speak of it, with a freedom which is +astonishing, as having broken out between the Volga and the +Vistula."</p> + +<p>The readers of the Daily Telegraph would not fail to be as +well informed as Alcide Jolivet's "cousin." But as Harry Blount, +seated at the left of the train, only saw one part of the +country, which was hilly, without giving himself the trouble of +looking at the right side, which was composed of wide plains, he +added, with British assurance, "Country mountainous between +Moscow and Wladimir."</p> + +<p>It was evident that the Russian government purposed taking +severe measures to guard against any serious eventualities even +in the interior of the empire. The rebel lion had not crossed the +Siberian frontier, but evil influences might be feared in the +Volga provinces, so near to the country of the Kirghiz.</p> + +<p>The police had as yet found no traces of Ivan Ogareff. It was +not known whether the traitor, calling in the foreigner to avenge +his personal rancor, had rejoined Feofar-Khan, or whether he was +endeavoring to foment a revolt in the government of +Nijni-Novgorod, which at this time of year contained a population +of such diverse elements. Perhaps among the Persians, Armenians, +or Kalmucks, who flocked to the great market, he had agents, +instructed to provoke a rising in the interior. + All this was possible, especially in such a country as Russia. +In fact, this vast empire, 4,000,000 square miles in extent, does +not possess the homogeneousness of the states of Western Europe. +The Russian territory in Europe and Asia contains more than +seventy millions of inhabitants. In it thirty different languages +are spoken. + The Sclavonian race predominates, no doubt, but there are +besides Russians, Poles, Lithuanians, Courlanders. Add to these, +Finns, Laplanders, Esthonians, several other northern tribes with +unpronounceable names, the Permiaks, the Germans, the Greeks, the +Tartars, the Caucasian tribes, the Mongol, Kalmuck, Samoid, +Kamtschatkan, and Aleutian hordes, and one may understand that +the unity of so vast a state must be difficult to maintain, and +that it could only be the work of time, aided by the wisdom of +many successive rulers.</p> + +<p>Be that as it may, Ivan Ogareff had hitherto managed to escape +all search, and very probably he might have rejoined the Tartar +army. + But at every station where the train stopped, inspectors came +forward who scrutinized the travelers and subjected them all to a +minute examination, as by order of the superintendent of police, +these officials were seeking Ivan Ogareff. The government, in +fact, believed it to be certain that the traitor had not yet been +able to quit European Russia. If there appeared cause to suspect +any traveler, he was carried off to explain himself at the police +station, and in the meantime the train went on its way, no person +troubling himself about the unfortunate one left behind.</p> + +<p>With the Russian police, which is very arbitrary, it is +absolutely useless to argue. Military rank is conferred on its +employees, and they act in military fashion. How can anyone, +moreover, help obeying, unhesitatingly, orders which emanate from +a monarch who has the right to employ this formula at the head of +his ukase: "We, by the grace of God, Emperor and Autocrat of all +the Russias of Moscow, Kiev, Wladimir, and Novgorod, Czar of +Kasan and Astrakhan, Czar of Poland, Czar of Siberia, Czar of the +Tauric Chersonese, Seignior of Pskov, Prince of Smolensk, +Lithuania, Volkynia, Podolia, and Finland, Prince of Esthonia, +Livonia, Courland, and of Semigallia, of Bialystok, Karelia, +Sougria, Perm, Viatka, Bulgaria, and many other countries; Lord +and Sovereign Prince of the territory of Nijni-Novgorod, +Tchemigoff, Riazan, Polotsk, Rostov, Jaroslavl, Bielozersk, +Oudoria, Obdoria, Kondinia, Vitepsk, and of Mstislaf, Governor of +the Hyperborean Regions, Lord of the countries of Iveria, +Kartalinia, Grou-zinia, Kabardinia, and Armenia, Hereditary Lord +and Suzerain of the Scherkess princes, of those of the mountains, +and of others; heir of Norway, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, +Stormarn, Dittmarsen, and Oldenburg." A powerful lord, in truth, +is he whose arms are an eagle with two heads, holding a scepter +and a globe, surrounded by the escutcheons of Novgorod, Wladimir, +Kiev, Kasan, Astrakhan, and of Siberia, and environed by the +collar of the order of St. Andrew, surmounted by a royal +crown!</p> + +<p>As to Michael Strogoff, his papers were in order, and he was, +consequently, free from all police supervision.</p> + +<p>At the station of Wladimir the train stopped for several +minutes, which appeared sufficient to enable the correspondent of +the Daily Telegraph to take a twofold view, physical and moral, +and to form a complete estimate of this ancient capital of +Russia.</p> + +<p>At the Wladimir station fresh travelers joined the train. + Among others, a young girl entered the compartment occupied by +Michael Strogoff. A vacant place was found opposite the +courier. + The young girl took it, after placing by her side a modest +traveling-bag of red leather, which seemed to constitute all her +luggage. + Then seating herself with downcast eyes, not even glancing at +the fellow-travelers whom chance had given her, she prepared for +a journey which was still to last several hours.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff could not help looking attentively at his +newly-arrived fellow-traveler. As she was so placed as to travel +with her back to the engine, he even offered her his seat, which +he might prefer to her own, but she thanked him with a slight +bend of her graceful neck.</p> + +<p>The young girl appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years +of age. + Her head, truly charming, was of the purest Sclavonic type-- +slightly severe, and likely in a few summers to unfold into +beauty rather than mere prettiness. From beneath a sort of +kerchief which she wore on her head escaped in profusion light +golden hair. + Her eyes were brown, soft, and expressive of much sweetness of +temper. + The nose was straight, and attached to her pale and somewhat +thin cheeks by delicately mobile nostrils. The lips were finely +cut, but it seemed as if they had long since forgotten how to +smile.</p> + +<p>The young traveler was tall and upright, as far as could be +judged of her figure from the very simple and ample pelisse that +covered her. + Although she was still a very young girl in the literal sense of +the term, the development of her high forehead and clearly-cut +features gave the idea that she was the possessor of great moral +energy-- a point which did not escape Michael Strogoff. Evidently +this young girl had already suffered in the past, and the future +doubtless did not present itself to her in glowing colors; but +she had surely known how to struggle still with the trials of +life. + Her energy was evidently both prompt and persistent, and her +calmness unalterable, even under circumstances in which a man +would be likely to give way or lose his self-command.</p> + +<p>Such was the impression which she produced at first sight. + Michael Strogoff, being himself of an energetic temperament, was +naturally struck by the character of her physiognomy, and, while +taking care not to cause her annoyance by a too persistent gaze, +he observed his neighbor with no small interest. The costume of +the young traveler was both extremely simple and appropriate. + She was not rich--that could be easily seen; but not the +slightest mark of negligence was to be discerned in her +dress. + All her luggage was contained in the leather bag which, for want +of room, she held on her lap.</p> + +<p>She wore a long, dark pelisse, gracefully adjusted at the neck +by a blue tie. Under this pelisse, a short skirt, also dark, fell +over a robe which reached the ankles. Half-boots of leather, +thickly soled, as if chosen in anticipation of a long journey, +covered her small feet.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff fancied that he recognized, by certain +details, the fashion of the costume of Livonia, and thought his +neighbor a native of the Baltic provinces.</p> + +<p>But whither was this young girl going, alone, at an age when +the fostering care of a father, or the protection of a brother, +is considered a matter of necessity? Had she now come, after an +already long journey, from the provinces of Western Russia? Was +she merely going to Nijni-Novgorod, or was the end of her travels +beyond the eastern frontiers of the empire? + Would some relation, some friend, await her arrival by the +train? + Or was it not more probable, on the contrary, that she would +find herself as much isolated in the town as she was in this +compartment? + It was probable.</p> + +<p>In fact, the effect of habits contracted in solitude was +clearly manifested in the bearing of the young girl. The manner +in which she entered the carriage and prepared herself for the +journey, the slight disturbance she caused among those around +her, the care she took not to incommode or give trouble to +anyone, all showed that she was accustomed to be alone, and to +depend on herself only.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff observed her with interest, but, himself +reserved, he sought no opportunity of accosting her. Once only, +when her neighbor-- the merchant who had jumbled together so +imprudently in his remarks tallow and shawls--being asleep, and +threatening her with his great head, which was swaying from one +shoulder to the other, Michael Strogoff awoke him somewhat +roughly, and made him understand that he must hold himself +upright.</p> + +<p>The merchant, rude enough by nature, grumbled some words +against "people who interfere with what does not concern them," +but Michael Strogoff cast on him a glance so stern that the +sleeper leant on the opposite side, and relieved the young +traveler from his unpleasant vicinity.</p> + +<p>The latter looked at the young man for an instant, and mute +and modest thanks were in that look.</p> + +<p>But a circumstance occurred which gave Strogoff a just idea of +the character of the maiden. Twelve versts before arriving at +Nijni-Novgorod, at a sharp curve of the iron way, the train +experienced a very violent shock. Then, for a minute, it ran onto +the slope of an embankment.</p> + +<p>Travelers more or less shaken about, cries, confusion, general +disorder in the carriages--such was the effect at first +produced. + It was to be feared that some serious accident had happened. + Consequently, even before the train had stopped, the doors were +opened, and the panic-stricken passengers thought only of getting +out of the carriages.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff thought instantly of the young girl; but, +while the passengers in her compartment were precipitating +themselves outside, screaming and struggling, she had remained +quietly in her place, her face scarcely changed by a slight +pallor.</p> + +<p>She waited--Michael Strogoff waited also.</p> + +<p>Both remained quiet.</p> + +<p>"A determined nature!" thought Michael Strogoff.</p> + +<p>However, all danger had quickly disappeared. A breakage of the +coupling of the luggage-van had first caused the shock to, and +then the stoppage of, the train, which in another instant would +have been thrown from the top of the embankment into a bog. + There was an hour's delay. At last, the road being cleared, the +train proceeded, and at half-past eight in the evening arrived at +the station of Nijni-Novgorod.</p> + +<p>Before anyone could get out of the carriages, the inspectors +of police presented themselves at the doors and examined the +passengers.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff showed his podorojna, made out in the name of +Nicholas Korpanoff. He had consequently no difficulty. + As to the other travelers in the compartment, all bound for +Nijni-Novgorod, their appearance, happily for them, was in nowise +suspicious.</p> + +<p>The young girl in her turn, exhibited, not a passport, since +passports are no longer required in Russia, but a permit indorsed +with a private seal, and which seemed to be of a special +character. + The inspector read the permit with attention. Then, having +attentively examined the person whose description it +contained:</p> + +<p>"You are from Riga?" he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the young girl.</p> + +<p>"You are going to Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"By what route?"</p> + +<p>"By Perm."</p> + +<p>"Good!" replied the inspector. "Take care to have your permit +vised, at the police station of Nijni-Novgorod."</p> + +<p>The young girl bent her head in token of assent.</p> + +<p>Hearing these questions and replies, Michael Strogoff +experienced a mingled sentiment both of surprise and pity. + What! this young girl, alone, journeying to that far-off +Siberia, and at a time when, to its ordinary dangers, were added +all the perils of an invaded country and one in a state of +insurrection! + How would she reach it? What would become of her?</p> + +<p>The inspection ended, the doors of the carriages were then +opened, but, before Michael Strogoff could move towards her, the +young Livonian, who had been the first to descend, had +disappeared in the crowd which thronged the platforms of the +railway station.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER V THE TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS</h2> + +<p>NIJNI-NOVGOROD, Lower Novgorod, situate at the junction of the +Volga and the Oka, is the chief town in the district of the same +name. + It was here that Michael Strogoff was obliged to leave the +railway, which at the time did not go beyond that town. Thus, as +he advanced, his traveling would become first less speedy and +then less safe.</p> + +<p>Nijni-Novgorod, the fixed population of which is only from +thirty to thirty-five thousand inhabitants, contained at that +time more than three hundred thousand; that is to say, the +population was increased tenfold. This addition was in +consequence of the celebrated fair, which was held within the +walls for three weeks. + Formerly Makariew had the benefit of this concourse of traders, +but since 1817 the fair had been removed to Nijni-Novgorod.</p> + +<p> + Even at the late hour at which Michael Strogoff left the +platform, there was still a large number of people in the two +towns, separated by the stream of the Volga, which compose +Nijni-Novgorod. The highest of these is built on a steep +rock. + and defended by a fort called in Russia "kreml."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff expected some trouble in finding a hotel, or +even an inn, to suit him. As he had not to start immediately, for +he was going to take a steamer, he was compelled to look out for +some lodging; but, before doing so, he wished to know exactly the +hour at which the steamboat would start. + He went to the office of the company whose boats plied between +Nijni-Novgorod and Perm. There, to his great annoyance, he found +that no boat started for Perm till the following day at twelve +o'clock. Seventeen hours to wait! + It was very vexatious to a man so pressed for time. + However, he never senselessly murmured. Besides, the fact was +that no other conveyance could take him so quickly either to Perm +or Kasan. It would be better, then, to wait for the steamer, +which would enable him to regain lost time.</p> + +<p>Here, then, was Michael Strogoff, strolling through the town +and quietly looking out for some inn in which to pass the +night. + However, he troubled himself little on this score, and, but that +hunger pressed him, he would probably have wandered on till +morning in the streets of Nijni-Novgorod. He was looking for +supper rather than a bed. But he found both at the sign of the +City of Constantinople. There, the landlord offered him a fairly +comfortable room, with little furniture, it is true, but not +without an image of the Virgin, and a few saints framed in yellow +gauze.</p> + +<p>A goose filled with sour stuffing swimming in thick cream, +barley bread, some curds, powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon, and +a jug of kwass, the ordinary Russian beer, were placed before +him, and sufficed to satisfy his hunger. He did justice to the +meal, which was more than could be said of his neighbor at table, +who, having, in his character of "old believer" + of the sect of Raskalniks, made the vow of abstinence, rejected +the potatoes in front of him, and carefully refrained from +putting sugar in his tea.</p> + +<p>His supper finished, Michael Strogoff, instead of going up to +his bedroom, again strolled out into the town. But, although the +long twilight yet lingered, the crowd was already dispersing, the +streets were gradually becoming empty, and at length everyone +retired to his dwelling.</p> + +<p>Why did not Michael Strogoff go quietly to bed, as would have +seemed more reasonable after a long railway journey? Was he +thinking of the young Livonian girl who had been his traveling +companion? + Having nothing better to do, he WAS thinking of her. Did he fear +that, lost in this busy city, she might be exposed to insult? He +feared so, and with good reason. Did he hope to meet her, and, if +need were, to afford her protection? No. To meet would be +difficult. + As to protection--what right had he--</p> + +<p>"Alone," he said to himself, "alone, in the midst of these +wandering tribes! And yet the present dangers are nothing +compared to those she must undergo. Siberia! Irkutsk! I am about +to dare all risks for Russia, for the Czar, while she is about to +do so--For whom? For what? She is authorized to cross the +frontier! The country beyond is in revolt! + The steppes are full of Tartar bands!"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff stopped for an instant, and reflected.</p> + +<p>"Without doubt," thought he, "she must have determined on +undertaking her journey before the invasion. Perhaps she is even +now ignorant of what is happening. But no, that cannot be; the +merchants discussed before her the disturbances in Siberia-- and +she did not seem surprised. She did not even ask an +explanation. + She must have known it then, and knowing it, is still +resolute. + Poor girl! Her motive for the journey must be urgent indeed! + But though she may be brave--and she certainly is so--her +strength must fail her, and, to say nothing of dangers and +obstacles, she will be unable to endure the fatigue of such a +journey. + Never can she reach Irkutsk!"</p> + +<p>Indulging in such reflections, Michael Strogoff wandered on as +chance led him; being well acquainted with the town, he knew that +he could easily retrace his steps.</p> + +<p>Having strolled on for about an hour, he seated himself on a +bench against the wall of a large wooden cottage, which stood, +with many others, on a vast open space. + He had scarcely been there five minutes when a hand was laid +heavily on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing here?" roughly demanded a tall and +powerful man, who had approached unperceived.</p> + +<p>"I am resting," replied Michael Strogoff.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to stay all night on the bench?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if I feel inclined to do so," answered Michael Strogoff, +in a tone somewhat too sharp for the simple merchant he wished to +personate.</p> + +<p>"Come forward, then, so I can see you," said the man.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, remembering that, above all, prudence was +requisite, instinctively drew back. "It is not necessary," he +replied, and calmly stepped back ten paces.</p> + +<p>The man seemed, as Michael observed him well, to have the look +of a Bohemian, such as are met at fairs, and with whom contact, +either physical or moral, is unpleasant. Then, as he looked more +attentively through the dusk, he perceived, near the cottage, a +large caravan, the usual traveling dwelling of the Zingaris or +gypsies, who swarm in Russia wherever a few copecks can be +obtained.</p> + +<p>As the gypsy took two or three steps forward, and was about to +interrogate Michael Strogoff more closely, the door of the +cottage opened. + He could just see a woman, who spoke quickly in a language which +Michael Strogoff knew to be a mixture of Mongol and Siberian.</p> + +<p>"Another spy! Let him alone, and come to supper. + The papluka is waiting for you."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff could not help smiling at the epithet +bestowed on him, dreading spies as he did above all else.</p> + +<p>In the same dialect, although his accent was very different, +the Bohemian replied in words which signify, "You are right, +Sangarre! Besides, we start to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow?" repeated the woman in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sangarre," replied the Bohemian; "to-morrow, and the +Father himself sends us--where we are going!"</p> + +<p>Thereupon the man and woman entered the cottage, and carefully +closed the door.</p> + +<p>"Good!" said Michael Strogoff, to himself; "if these gipsies +do not wish to be understood when they speak before me, they had +better use some other language."</p> + +<p>From his Siberian origin, and because he had passed his +childhood in the Steppes, Michael Strogoff, it has been said, +understood almost all the languages in usage from Tartary to the +Sea of Ice. As to the exact signification of the words he had +heard, he did not trouble his head. + For why should it interest him?</p> + +<p>It was already late when he thought of returning to his inn to +take some repose. He followed, as he did so, the course of the +Volga, whose waters were almost hidden under the countless number +of boats floating on its bosom.</p> + +<p>An hour after, Michael Strogoff was sleeping soundly on one of +those Russian beds which always seem so hard to strangers, and on +the morrow, the 17th of July, he awoke at break of day.</p> + +<p>He had still five hours to pass in Nijni-Novgorod; it seemed +to him an age. How was he to spend the morning unless in +wandering, as he had done the evening before, through the +streets? + By the time he had finished his breakfast, strapped up his bag, +had his podorojna inspected at the police office, he would have +nothing to do but start. But he was not a man to lie in bed after +the sun had risen; so he rose, dressed himself, placed the letter +with the imperial arms on it carefully at the bottom of its usual +pocket within the lining of his coat, over which he fastened his +belt; he then closed his bag and threw it over his shoulder. + This done, he had no wish to return to the City of +Constantinople, and intending to breakfast on the bank of the +Volga near the wharf, he settled his bill and left the inn. By +way of precaution, Michael Strogoff went first to the office of +the steam-packet company, and there made sure that the Caucasus +would start at the appointed hour. + As he did so, the thought for the first time struck him that, +since the young Livonian girl was going to Perm, it was very +possible that her intention was also to embark in the Caucasus, +in which case he should accompany her.</p> + +<p>The town above with its kremlin, whose circumference measures +two versts, and which resembles that of Moscow, was altogether +abandoned. + Even the governor did not reside there. But if the town above +was like a city of the dead, the town below, at all events, was +alive.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, having crossed the Volga on a bridge of +boats, guarded by mounted Cossacks, reached the square where the +evening before he had fallen in with the gipsy camp. This was +somewhat outside the town, where the fair of Nijni-Novgorod was +held. + In a vast plain rose the temporary palace of the +governor-general, where by imperial orders that great functionary +resided during the whole of the fair, which, thanks to the people +who composed it, required an ever-watchful surveillance.</p> + +<p>This plain was now covered with booths symmetrically arranged +in such a manner as to leave avenues broad enough to allow the +crowd to pass without a crush.</p> + +<p>Each group of these booths, of all sizes and shapes, formed a +separate quarter particularly dedicated to some special branch of +commerce. + There was the iron quarter, the furriers' quarter, the woolen +quarter, the quarter of the wood merchants, the weavers' quarter, +the dried fish quarter, etc. Some booths were even built of fancy +materials, some of bricks of tea, others of masses of salt +meat--that is to say, of samples of the goods which the owners +thus announced were there to the purchasers--a singular, and +somewhat American, mode of advertisement.</p> + +<p>In the avenues and long alleys there was already a large +assemblage of people--the sun, which had risen at four o'clock, +being well above the horizon--an extraordinary mixture of +Europeans and Asiatics, talking, wrangling, haranguing, and +bargaining. + Everything which can be bought or sold seemed to be heaped up in +this square. Furs, precious stones, silks, Cashmere shawls, +Turkey carpets, weapons from the Caucasus, gauzes from Smyrna and +Ispahan. Tiflis armor, caravan teas. European bronzes, Swiss +clocks, velvets and silks from Lyons, English cottons, harness, +fruits, vegetables, minerals from the Ural, malachite, +lapis-lazuli, spices, perfumes, medicinal herbs, wood, tar, rope, +horn, pumpkins, water-melons, etc-- all the products of India, +China, Persia, from the shores of the Caspian and the Black Sea, +from America and Europe, were united at this corner of the +globe.</p> + +<p>It is scarcely possible truly to portray the moving mass of +human beings surging here and there, the excitement, the +confusion, the hubbub; demonstrative as were the natives and the +inferior classes, they were completely outdone by their visitors. +There were merchants from Central Asia, who had occupied a year +in escorting their merchandise across its vast plains, and who +would not again see their shops and counting-houses for another +year to come. + In short, of such importance is this fair of Nijni-Novgorod, +that the sum total of its transactions amounts yearly to nearly a +hundred million dollars.</p> + +<p>On one of the open spaces between the quarters of this +temporary city were numbers of mountebanks of every description; +gypsies from the mountains, telling fortunes to the credulous +fools who are ever to be found in such assemblies; Zingaris or +Tsiganes-- a name which the Russians give to the gypsies who are +the descendants of the ancient Copts--singing their wildest +melodies and dancing their most original dances; comedians of +foreign theaters, acting Shakespeare, adapted to the taste of +spectators who crowded to witness them. In the long avenues the +bear showmen accompanied their four-footed dancers, menageries +resounded with the hoarse cries of animals under the influence of +the stinging whip or red-hot irons of the tamer; and, besides all +these numberless performers, in the middle of the central square, +surrounded by a circle four deep of enthusiastic amateurs, was a +band of "mariners of the Volga," + sitting on the ground, as on the deck of their vessel, imitating +the action of rowing, guided by the stick of the master of the +orchestra, the veritable helmsman of this imaginary vessel! + A whimsical and pleasing custom!</p> + +<p>Suddenly, according to a time-honored observance in the fair +of Nijni-Novgorod, above the heads of the vast concourse a flock +of birds was allowed to escape from the cages in which they had +been brought to the spot. In return for a few copecks charitably +offered by some good people, the bird-fanciers opened the prison +doors of their captives, who flew out in hundreds, uttering their +joyous notes.</p> + +<p>It should be mentioned that England and France, at all events, +were this year represented at the great fair of Nijni-Novgorod by +two of the most distinguished products of modern civilization, +Messrs. Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet. Jolivet, an optimist by +nature, found everything agreeable, and as by chance both lodging +and food were to his taste, he jotted down in his book some +memoranda particularly favorable to the town of Nijni-Novgorod. +Blount, on the contrary, having in vain hunted for a supper, had +been obliged to find a resting-place in the open air. + He therefore looked at it all from another point of view, and +was preparing an article of the most withering character against +a town in which the landlords of the inns refused to receive +travelers who only begged leave to be flayed, "morally and +physically."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, one hand in his pocket, the other holding +his cherry-stemmed pipe, appeared the most indifferent and least +impatient of men; yet, from a certain contraction of his eyebrows +every now and then, a careful observer would have seen that he +was burning to be off.</p> + +<p>For two hours he kept walking about the streets, only to find +himself invariably at the fair again. As he passed among the +groups of buyers and sellers he discovered that those who came +from countries on the confines of Asia manifested great +uneasiness. + Their trade was visibly suffering. Another symptom also was +marked. + In Russia military uniforms appear on every occasion. Soldiers +are wont to mix freely with the crowd, the police agents being +almost invariably aided by a number of Cossacks, who, lance on +shoulder, keep order in the crowd of three hundred thousand +strangers. + But on this occasion the soldiers, Cossacks and the rest, did +not put in an appearance at the great market. Doubtless, a sudden +order to move having been foreseen, they were restricted to their +barracks.</p> + +<p>Moreover, while no soldiers were to be seen, it was not so +with their officers. Since the evening before, aides-decamp, +leaving the governor's palace, galloped in every direction. An +unusual movement was going forward which a serious state of +affairs could alone account for. + There were innumerable couriers on the roads both to Wladimir +and to the Ural Mountains. The exchange of telegraphic dispatches +with Moscow was incessant.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff found himself in the central square when the +report spread that the head of police had been summoned by a +courier to the palace of the governor-general. An important +dispatch from Moscow, it was said, was the cause of it.</p> + +<p>"The fair is to be closed," said one.</p> + +<p>"The regiment of Nijni-Novgorod has received the route," +declared another.</p> + +<p>"They say that the Tartars menace Tomsk!"</p> + +<p>"Here is the head of police!" was shouted on every side. + A loud clapping of hands was suddenly raised, which subsided by +degrees, and finally was succeeded by absolute silence. + The head of police arrived in the middle of the central square, +and it was seen by all that he held in his hand a dispatch.</p> + +<p>Then, in a loud voice, he read the following announcements: +"By order of the Governor of Nijni-Novgorod.</p> + +<p>"1st. All Russian subjects are forbidden to quit the province +upon any pretext whatsoever.</p> + +<p>"2nd. All strangers of Asiatic origin are commanded to leave +the province within twenty-four hours."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VI BROTHER AND SISTER</h2> + +<p>HOWEVER disastrous these measures might be to private +interests, they were, under the circumstances, perfectly +justifiable.</p> + +<p>"All Russian subjects are forbidden to leave the +province;" + if Ivan Ogareff was still in the province, this would at any +rate prevent him, unless with the greatest difficulty, from +rejoining Feofar-Khan, and becoming a very formidable lieutenant +to the Tartar chief.</p> + +<p>"All foreigners of Asiatic origin are ordered to leave the +province in four-and-twenty hours;" this would send off in a body +all the traders from Central Asia, as well as the bands of +Bohemians, gipsies, etc., having more or less sympathy with the +Tartars. So many heads, so many spies-- undoubtedly affairs +required their expulsion.</p> + +<p> + It is easy to understand the effect produced by these two +thunder-claps bursting over a town like Nijni-Novgorod, so +densely crowded with visitors, and with a commerce so greatly +surpassing that of all other places in Russia. The natives whom +business called beyond the Siberian frontier could not leave the +province for a time at least. + The tenor of the first article of the order was express; it +admitted of no exception. All private interests must yield to the +public weal. + As to the second article of the proclamation, the order of +expulsion which it contained admitted of no evasion either. + It only concerned foreigners of Asiatic origin, but these could +do nothing but pack up their merchandise and go back the way they +came. + As to the mountebanks, of which there were a considerable +number, they had nearly a thousand versts to go before they could +reach the nearest frontier. For them it was simply misery.</p> + +<p>At first there rose against this unusual measure a murmur of +protestation, a cry of despair, but this was quickly suppressed +by the presence of the Cossacks and agents of police. + Immediately, what might be called the exodus from the immense +plain began. The awnings in front of the stalls were folded up; +the theaters were taken to pieces; the fires were put out; the +acrobats' ropes were lowered; the old broken-winded horses of the +traveling vans came back from their sheds. + Agents and soldiers with whip or stick stimulated the tardy +ones, and made nothing of pulling down the tents even before the +poor Bohemians had left them.</p> + +<p>Under these energetic measures the square of Nijni-Novgorod +would, it was evident, be entirely evacuated before the evening, +and to the tumult of the great fair would succeed the silence of +the desert.</p> + +<p>It must again be repeated--for it was a necessary aggravation +of these severe measures--that to all those nomads chiefly +concerned in the order of expulsion even the steppes of Siberia +were forbidden, and they would be obliged to hasten to the south +of the Caspian Sea, either to Persia, Turkey, or the plains of +Turkestan. The post of the Ural, and the mountains which form, as +it were, a prolongation of the river along the Russian frontier, +they were not allowed to pass. + They were therefore under the necessity of traveling six hundred +miles before they could tread a free soil.</p> + +<p>Just as the reading of the proclamation by the head of the +police came to an end, an idea darted instinctively into the mind +of Michael Strogoff. "What a singular coincidence," thought he, +"between this proclamation expelling all foreigners of Asiatic +origin, and the words exchanged last evening between those two +gipsies of the Zingari race. 'The Father himself sends us where +we wish to go,' that old man said. But 'the Father' is the +emperor! + He is never called anything else among the people. How could +those gipsies have foreseen the measure taken against them? how +could they have known it beforehand, and where do they wish to +go? + Those are suspicious people, and it seems to me that to them the +government proclamation must be more useful than injurious."</p> + +<p>But these reflections were completely dispelled by another +which drove every other thought out of Michael's mind. + He forgot the Zingaris, their suspicious words, the strange +coincidence which resulted from the proclamation. + The remembrance of the young Livonian girl suddenly rushed into +his mind. "Poor child!" he thought to himself. + "She cannot now cross the frontier."</p> + +<p>In truth the young girl was from Riga; she was Livonian, +consequently Russian, and now could not leave Russian +territory! + The permit which had been given her before the new measures had +been promulgated was no longer available. + All the routes to Siberia had just been pitilessly closed to +her, and, whatever the motive taking her to Irkutsk, she was now +forbidden to go there.</p> + +<p>This thought greatly occupied Michael Strogoff. He said to +himself, vaguely at first, that, without neglecting anything of +what was due to his important mission, it would perhaps be +possible for him to be of some use to this brave girl; and this +idea pleased him. Knowing how serious were the dangers which he, +an energetic and vigorous man, would have personally to +encounter, he could not conceal from himself how infinitely +greater they would prove to a young unprotected girl. + As she was going to Irkutsk, she would be obliged to follow the +same road as himself, she would have to pass through the bands of +invaders, as he was about to attempt doing himself. If, moreover, +she had at her disposal only the money necessary for a journey +taken under ordinary circumstances, how could she manage to +accomplish it under conditions which made it not only perilous +but expensive?</p> + +<p>"Well," said he, "if she takes the route to Perm, it is nearly +impossible but that I shall fall in with her. + Then, I will watch over her without her suspecting it; and as +she appears to me as anxious as myself to reach Irkutsk, she will +cause me no delay."</p> + +<p>But one thought leads to another. Michael Strogoff had till +now thought only of doing a kind action; but now another idea +flashed into his brain; the question presented itself under quite +a new aspect.</p> + +<p>"The fact is," said he to himself, "that I have much more need +of her than she can have of me. Her presence will be useful in +drawing off suspicion from me. A man traveling alone across the +steppe, may be easily guessed to be a courier of the Czar. If, on +the contrary, this young girl accompanies me, I shall appear, in +the eyes of all, the Nicholas Korpanoff of my podorojna. +Therefore, she must accompany me. Therefore, I must find her +again at any cost. + It is not probable that since yesterday evening she has been +able to get a carriage and leave Nijni-Novgorod. I must look for +her. + And may God guide me!"</p> + +<p>Michael left the great square of Nijni-Novgorod, where the +tumult produced by the carrying out of the prescribed measures +had now reached its height. Recriminations from the banished +strangers, shouts from the agents and Cossacks who were using +them so brutally, together made an indescribable uproar. The girl +for whom he searched could not be there. It was now nine o'clock +in the morning. + The steamboat did not start till twelve. Michael Strogoff had +therefore nearly two hours to employ in searching for her whom he +wished to make his traveling companion.</p> + +<p>He crossed the Volga again and hunted through the quarters on +the other side, where the crowd was much less considerable. + He entered the churches, the natural refuge for all who weep, +for all who suffer. Nowhere did he meet with the young +Livonian.</p> + +<p>"And yet," he repeated, "she could not have left +Nijni-Novgorod yet. + We'll have another look." He wandered about thus for two +hours. + He went on without stopping, feeling no fatigue, obeying a +potent instinct which allowed no room for thought. All was in +vain.</p> + +<p>It then occurred to him that perhaps the girl had not heard of +the order--though this was improbable enough, for such a +thunder-clap could not have burst without being heard by all. + Evidently interested in knowing the smallest news from Siberia, +how could she be ignorant of the measures taken by the governor, +measures which concerned her so directly?</p> + +<p>But, if she was ignorant of it, she would come in an hour to +the quay, and there some merciless agent would refuse her a +passage! + At any cost, he must see her beforehand, and enable her to avoid +such a repulse.</p> + +<p>But all his endeavors were in vain, and he at length almost +despaired of finding her again. It was eleven o'clock, and +Michael thought of presenting his podorojna at the office of the +head of police. + The proclamation evidently did not concern him, since the +emergency had been foreseen for him, but he wished to make sure +that nothing would hinder his departure from the town.</p> + +<p>Michael then returned to the other side of the Volga, to the +quarter in which was the office of the head of police. + An immense crowd was collected there; for though all foreigners +were ordered to quit the province, they had notwithstanding to go +through certain forms before they could depart.</p> + +<p>Without this precaution, some Russian more or less implicated +in the Tartar movement would have been able, in a disguise, to +pass the frontier--just those whom the order wished to prevent +going. + The strangers were sent away, but still had to gain permission +to go.</p> + +<p>Mountebanks, gypsies, Tsiganes, Zingaris, mingled with +merchants from Persia, Turkey, India, Turkestan, China, filled +the court and offices of the police station.</p> + +<p>Everyone was in a hurry, for the means of transport would be +much sought after among this crowd of banished people, and those +who did not set about it soon ran a great risk of not being able +to leave the town in the prescribed time, which would expose them +to some brutal treatment from the governor's agents.</p> + +<p>Owing to the strength of his elbows Michael was able to cross +the court. + But to get into the office and up to the clerk's little window +was a much more difficult business. However, a word into an +inspector's ear and a few judiciously given roubles were powerful +enough to gain him a passage. + The man, after taking him into the waiting-room, went to call an +upper clerk. Michael Strogoff would not be long in making +everything right with the police and being free in his +movements.</p> + +<p>Whilst waiting, he looked about him, and what did he see? + There, fallen, rather than seated, on a bench, was a girl, prey +to a silent despair, although her face could scarcely be seen, +the profile alone being visible against the wall. + Michael Strogoff could not be mistaken. He instantly recognized +the young Livonian.</p> + +<p>Not knowing the governor's orders, she had come to the police +office to get her pass signed. They had refused to sign it. No +doubt she was authorized to go to Irkutsk, but the order was +peremptory-- it annulled all previous au-thorizations, and the +routes to Siberia were closed to her. Michael, delighted at +having found her again, approached the girl.</p> + +<p>She looked up for a moment and her face brightened on +recognizing her traveling companion. She instinctively rose and, +like a drowning man who clutches at a spar, she was about to ask +his help.</p> + +<p>At that moment the agent touched Michael on the shoulder, "The +head of police will see you," he said.</p> + +<p>"Good," returned Michael. And without saying a word to her for +whom he had been searching all day, without reassuring her by +even a gesture, which might compromise either her or himself, he +followed the man.</p> + +<p>The young Livonian, seeing the only being to whom she could +look for help disappear, fell back again on her bench.</p> + +<p>Three minutes had not passed before Michael Strogoff +reappeared, accompanied by the agent. In his hand he held his +podorojna, which threw open the roads to Siberia for him. He +again approached the young Livonian, and holding out his hand: +"Sister," said he.</p> + +<p>She understood. She rose as if some sudden inspiration +prevented her from hesitating a moment.</p> + +<p>"Sister," repeated Michael Strogoff, "we are authorized to +continue our journey to Irkutsk. Will you come with me?"</p> + +<p>"I will follow you, brother," replied the girl, putting her +hand into that of Michael Strogoff. And together they left the +police station.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VII GOING DOWN THE VOLGA</h2> + +<p>A LITTLE before midday, the steamboat's bell drew to the wharf +on the Volga an unusually large concourse of people, for not only +were those about to embark who had intended to go, but the many +who were compelled to go contrary to their wishes. + The boilers of the Caucasus were under full pressure; a slight +smoke issued from its funnel, whilst the end of the escape-pipe +and the lids of the valves were crowned with white vapor. + It is needless to say that the police kept a close watch over +the departure of the Caucasus, and showed themselves pitiless to +those travelers who did not satisfactorily answer their +questions.</p> + +<p>Numerous Cossacks came and went on the quay, ready to assist +the agents, but they had not to interfere, as no one ventured to +offer the slightest resistance to their orders. + Exactly at the hour the last clang of the bell sounded, the +powerful wheels of the steamboat began to beat the water, and the +Caucasus passed rapidly between the two towns of which +Nijni-Novgorod is composed.</p> + +<p> + Michael Strogoff and the young Livonian had taken a passage on +board the Caucasus. Their embarkation was made without any +difficulty. + As is known, the podorojna, drawn up in the name of Nicholas +Korpanoff, authorized this merchant to be accompanied on his +journey to Siberia. They appeared, therefore, to be a brother and +sister traveling under the protection of the imperial police. + Both, seated together at the stern, gazed at the receding town, +so disturbed by the governor's order. Michael had as yet said +nothing to the girl, he had not even questioned her. + He waited until she should speak to him, when that was +necessary. + She had been anxious to leave that town, in which, but for the +providential intervention of this unexpected protector, she would +have remained imprisoned. She said nothing, but her looks spoke +her thanks.</p> + +<p>The Volga, the Rha of the ancients, the largest river in all +Europe, is almost three thousand miles in length. + Its waters, rather unwholesome in its upper part, are improved +at Nijni-Novgorod by those of the Oka, a rapid affluent, issuing +from the central provinces of Russia. The system of Russian +canals and rivers has been justly compared to a gigantic tree +whose branches spread over every part of the empire. + The Volga forms the trunk of this tree, and it has for roots +seventy mouths opening into the Caspian Sea. It is navigable as +far as Rjef, a town in the government of Tver, that is, along the +greater part of its course.</p> + +<p>The steamboats plying between Perm and Nijni-Novgorod rapidly +perform the two hundred and fifty miles which separate this town +from the town of Kasan. It is true that these boats have only to +descend the Volga, which adds nearly two miles of current per +hour to their own speed; but on arriving at the confluence of the +Kama, a little below Kasan, they are obliged to quit the Volga +for the smaller river, up which they ascend to Perm. Powerful as +were her machines, the Caucasus could not thus, after entering +the Kama, make against the current more than ten miles an hour. +Including an hour's stoppage at Kasan, the voyage from +Nijni-Novgorod to Perm would take from between sixty to sixty-two +hours.</p> + +<p>The steamer was very well arranged, and the passengers, +according to their condition or resources, occupied three +distinct classes on board. + Michael Strogoff had taken care to engage two first-class +cabins, so that his young companion might retire into hers +whenever she liked.</p> + +<p>The Caucasus was loaded with passengers of every +description. + A number of Asiatic traders had thought it best to leave +Nijni-Novgorod immediately. In that part of the steamer reserved +for the first-class might be seen Armenians in long robes and a +sort of miter on their heads; Jews, known by their conical caps; +rich Chinese in their traditional costume, a very wide blue, +violet, or black robe; Turks, wearing the national turban; +Hindoos, with square caps, and a simple string for a girdle, some +of whom, hold in their hands all the traffic of Central Asia; +and, lastly, Tartars, wearing boots, ornamented with many-colored +braid, and the breast a mass of embroidery. + All these merchants had been obliged to pile up their numerous +bales and chests in the hold and on the deck; and the transport +of their baggage would cost them dear, for, according to the +regulations, each person had only a right to twenty pounds' +weight.</p> + +<p>In the bows of the Caucasus were more numerous groups of +passengers, not only foreigners, but also Russians, who were not +forbidden by the order to go back to their towns in the +province. + There were mujiks with caps on their heads, and wearing checked +shirts under their wide pelisses; peasants of the Volga, with +blue trousers stuffed into their boots, rose-colored cotton +shirts, drawn in by a cord, felt caps; a few women, habited in +flowery-patterned cotton dresses, gay-colored aprons, and bright +handkerchiefs on their heads. + These were principally third-class passengers, who were, +happily, not troubled by the prospect of a long return +voyage. + The Caucasus passed numerous boats being towed up the stream, +carrying all sorts of merchandise to Nijni-Novgorod. Then passed +rafts of wood interminably long, and barges loaded to the +gunwale, and nearly sinking under water. A bootless voyage they +were making, since the fair had been abruptly broken up at its +outset.</p> + +<p>The waves caused by the steamer splashed on the banks, covered +with flocks of wild duck, who flew away uttering deafening +cries. + A little farther, on the dry fields, bordered with willows, and +aspens, were scattered a few cows, sheep, and herds of pigs. + Fields, sown with thin buckwheat and rye, stretched away to a +background of half-cultivated hills, offering no remarkable +prospect. + The pencil of an artist in quest of the picturesque would have +found nothing to reproduce in this monotonous landscape.</p> + +<p>The Caucasus had been steaming on for almost two hours, when +the young Livonian, addressing herself to Michael, said, "Are you +going to Irkutsk, brother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sister," answered the young man. "We are going the same +way. + Consequently, where I go, you shall go."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, brother, you shall know why I left the shores of +the Baltic to go beyond the Ural Mountains."</p> + +<p>"I ask you nothing, sister."</p> + +<p>"You shall know all," replied the girl, with a faint +smile. + "A sister should hide nothing from her brother. But I cannot +to-day. Fatigue and sorrow have broken me."</p> + +<p>"Will you go and rest in your cabin?" asked Michael +Strogoff.</p> + +<p>"Yes--yes; and to-morrow--"</p> + +<p>"Come then--"</p> + +<p>He hesitated to finish his sentence, as if he had wished to +end it by the name of his companion, of which he was still +ignorant.</p> + +<p>"Nadia," said she, holding out her hand.</p> + +<p>"Come, Nadia," answered Michael, "and make what use you like +of your brother Nicholas Korpanoff." And he led the girl to the +cabin engaged for her off the saloon.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff returned on deck, and eager for any news +which might bear on his journey, he mingled in the groups of +passengers, though without taking any part in the +conversation. + Should he by any chance be questioned, and obliged to reply, he +would announce himself as the merchant Nicholas Korpanoff, going +back to the frontier, for he did not wish it to be suspected that +a special permission authorized him to travel to Siberia.</p> + +<p>The foreigners in the steamer could evidently speak of nothing +but the occurrences of the day, of the order and its +consequences. + These poor people, scarcely recovered from the fatigue of a +journey across Central Asia, found themselves obliged to return, +and if they did not give loud vent to their anger and despair, it +was because they dared not. Fear, mingled with respect, +restrained them. + It was possible that inspectors of police, charged with watching +the passengers, had secretly embarked on board the Caucasus, and +it was just as well to keep silence; expulsion, after all, was a +good deal preferable to imprisonment in a fortress. + Therefore the men were either silent, or spoke with so much +caution that it was scarcely possible to get any useful +information.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff thus could learn nothing here; but if mouths +were often shut at his approach--for they did not know him-- his +ears were soon struck by the sound of one voice, which cared +little whether it was heard or not.</p> + +<p>The man with the hearty voice spoke Russian, but with a French +accent; and another speaker answered him more reservedly. "What," +said the first, "are you on board this boat, too, my dear fellow; +you whom I met at the imperial fete in Moscow, and just caught a +glimpse of at Nijni-Novgorod?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's I," answered the second drily.</p> + +<p>"Really, I didn't expect to be so closely followed."</p> + +<p>"I am not following you sir; I am preceding you."</p> + +<p>"Precede! precede! Let us march abreast, keeping step, like +two soldiers on parade, and for the time, at least, let us agree, +if you will, that one shall not pass the other."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I shall pass you."</p> + +<p>"We shall see that, when we are at the seat of war; but till +then, why, let us be traveling companions. + Later, we shall have both time and occasion to be rivals."</p> + +<p>"Enemies."</p> + +<p>"Enemies, if you like. There is a precision in your words, my +dear fellow, particularly agreeable to me. One may always know +what one has to look for, with you."</p> + +<p>"What is the harm?"</p> + +<p>"No harm at all. So, in my turn, I will ask your permission to +state our respective situations."</p> + +<p>"State away."</p> + +<p>"You are going to Perm--like me?"</p> + +<p>"Like you."</p> + +<p>"And probably you will go from Perm to Ekaterenburg, since +that is the best and safest route by which to cross the Ural +Mountains?"</p> + +<p>"Probably."</p> + +<p>"Once past the frontier, we shall be in Siberia, that is to +say in the midst of the invasion."</p> + +<p>"We shall be there."</p> + +<p>"Well! then, and only then, will be the time to say, Each for +himself, and God for--"</p> + +<p>"For me."</p> + +<p>"For you, all by yourself! Very well! But since we have a week +of neutral days before us, and since it is very certain that news +will not shower down upon us on the way, let us be friends until +we become rivals again."</p> + +<p>"Enemies."</p> + +<p>"Yes; that's right, enemies. But till then, let us act +together, and not try and ruin each other. All the same, I +promise you to keep to myself all that I can see--"</p> + +<p>"And I, all that I can hear."</p> + +<p>"Is that agreed?"</p> + +<p>"It is agreed."</p> + +<p>"Your hand?"</p> + +<p>"Here it is." And the hand of the first speaker, that is to +say, five wide-open fingers, vigorously shook the two fingers +coolly extended by the other.</p> + +<p>"By the bye," said the first, "I was able this morning to +telegraph the very words of the order to my cousin at seventeen +minutes past ten."</p> + +<p>"And I sent it to the Daily Telegraph at thirteen minutes past +ten."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Mr. Blount!"</p> + +<p>"Very good, M. Jolivet."</p> + +<p>"I will try and match that!"</p> + +<p>"It will be difficult."</p> + +<p>"I can try, however."</p> + +<p>So saying, the French correspondent familiarly saluted the +Englishman, who bowed stiffly. The governor's proclamation did +not concern these two news-hunters, as they were neither Russians +nor foreigners of Asiatic origin. However, being urged by the +same instinct, they had left Nijni-Novgorod together. + It was natural that they should take the same means of +transport, and that they should follow the same route to the +Siberian steppes. + Traveling companions, whether enemies or friends, they had a +week to pass together before "the hunt would be open." + And then success to the most expert! Alcide Jolivet had made the +first advances, and Harry Blount had accepted them though he had +done so coldly.</p> + +<p>That very day at dinner the Frenchman open as ever and even +too loquacious, the Englishman still silent and grave, were seen +hobnobbing at the same table, drinking genuine Cliquot, at six +roubles the bottle, made from the fresh sap of the birch-trees of +the country. + On hearing them chatting away together, Michael Strogoff said to +himself: "Those are inquisitive and indiscreet fellows whom I +shall probably meet again on the way. It will be prudent for me +to keep them at a distance."</p> + +<p>The young Livonian did not come to dinner. She was asleep in +her cabin, and Michael did not like to awaken her. It was evening +before she reappeared on the deck of the Caucasus. The long +twilight imparted a coolness to the atmosphere eagerly enjoyed by +the passengers after the stifling heat of the day. As the evening +advanced, the greater number never even thought of going into the +saloon. + Stretched on the benches, they inhaled with delight the slight +breeze caused by the speed of the steamer. At this time of year, +and under this latitude, the sky scarcely darkened between sunset +and dawn, and left the steersman light enough to guide his +steamer among the numerous vessels going up or down the +Volga.</p> + +<p>Between eleven and two, however, the moon being new, it was +almost dark. + Nearly all the passengers were then asleep on the deck, and the +silence was disturbed only by the noise of the paddles striking +the water at regular intervals. Anxiety kept Michael Strogoff +awake. + He walked up and down, but always in the stern of the +steamer. + Once, however, he happened to pass the engine-room. He then +found himself in the part reserved for second and third-class +passengers.</p> + +<p>There, everyone was lying asleep, not only on the benches, but +also on the bales, packages, and even the deck itself. + Some care was necessary not to tread on the sleepers, who were +lying about everywhere. They were chiefly mujiks, accustomed to +hard couches, and quite satisfied with the planks of the +deck. + But no doubt they would, all the same, have soundly abused the +clumsy fellow who roused them with an accidental kick.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff took care, therefore, not to disturb +anyone. + By going thus to the end of the boat, he had no other idea but +that of striving against sleep by a rather longer walk. + He reached the forward deck, and was already climbing the +forecastle ladder, when he heard someone speaking near him. + He stopped. The voices appeared to come from a group of +passengers enveloped in cloaks and wraps. It was impossible to +recognize them in the dark, though it sometimes happened that, +when the steamer's chimney sent forth a plume of ruddy flames, +the sparks seemed to fall amongst the group as though thousands +of spangles had been suddenly illuminated.</p> + +<p>Michael was about to step up the ladder, when a few words +reached his ear, uttered in that strange tongue which he had +heard during the night at the fair. Instinctively he stopped to +listen. Protected by the shadow of the forecastle, he could not +be perceived himself. + As to seeing the passengers who were talking, that was +impossible. + He must confine himself to listening.</p> + +<p>The first words exchanged were of no importance--to him at +least--but they allowed him to recognize the voices of the man +and woman whom he had heard at Nijni-Novgorod. This, of course, +made him redouble his attention. + It was, indeed, not at all impossible that these same Tsiganes, +now banished, should be on board the Caucasus.</p> + +<p>And it was well for him that he listened, for he distinctly +heard this question and answer made in the Tartar idiom: "It is +said that a courier has set out from Moscow for Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"It is so said, Sangarre; but either this courier will arrive +too late, or he will not arrive at all."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff started involuntarily at this reply, which +concerned him so directly. He tried to see if the man and woman +who had just spoken were really those whom he suspected, but he +could not succeed.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Michael Strogoff had regained the stern of +the vessel without having been perceived, and, taking a seat by +himself, he buried his face in his hands. It might have been +supposed that he was asleep.</p> + +<p>He was not asleep, however, and did not even think of +sleeping. + He was reflecting, not without a lively apprehension: "Who is it +knows of my departure, and who can have any interest in knowing +it?"</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII GOING UP THE KAMA</h2> + +<p>THE next day, the 18th of July, at twenty minutes to seven in +the morning, the Caucasus reached the Kasan quay, seven versts +from the town.</p> + +<p>Kasan is situated at the confluence of the Volga and Kasanka. +It is an important chief town of the government, and a Greek +archbishopric, as well as the seat of a university. + The varied population preserves an Asiatic character. + Although the town was so far from the landing-place, a large +crowd was collected on the quay. They had come for news. + The governor of the province had published an order identical +with that of Nijni-Novgorod. Police officers and a few Cossacks +kept order among the crowd, and cleared the way both for the +passengers who were disembarking and also for those who were +embarking on board the Caucasus, minutely examining both classes +of travelers. + The one were the Asiatics who were being expelled; the other, +mujiks stopping at Kasan.</p> + +<p> + Michael Strogoff unconcernedly watched the bustle which occurs +at all quays on the arrival of a steam vessel. The Caucasus would +stay for an hour to renew her fuel. Michael did not even think of +landing. + He was unwilling to leave the young Livonian girl alone on +board, as she had not yet reappeared on deck.</p> + +<p>The two journalists had risen at dawn, as all good huntsmen +should do. + They went on shore and mingled with the crowd, each keeping to +his own peculiar mode of proceeding; Harry Blount, sketching +different types, or noting some observation; Alcide Jolivet +contenting himself with asking questions, confiding in his +memory, which never failed him.</p> + +<p>There was a report along all the frontier that the +insurrection and invasion had reached considerable proportions. +Communication between Siberia and the empire was already +extremely difficult. + All this Michael Strogoff heard from the new arrivals. + This information could not but cause him great uneasiness, and +increase his wish of being beyond the Ural Mountains, so as to +judge for himself of the truth of these rumors, and enable him to +guard against any possible contingency. + He was thinking of seeking more direct intelligence from some +native of Kasan, when his attention was suddenly diverted.</p> + +<p>Among the passengers who were leaving the Caucasus, Michael +recognized the troop of Tsiganes who, the day before, had +appeared in the Nijni-Novgorod fair. There, on the deck of the +steamboat were the old Bohemian and the woman. + With them, and no doubt under their direction, landed about +twenty dancers and singers, from fifteen to twenty years of age, +wrapped in old cloaks, which covered their spangled dresses. + These dresses, just then glancing in the first rays of the sun, +reminded Michael of the curious appearance which he had observed +during the night. It must have been the glitter of those spangles +in the bright flames issuing from the steamboat's funnel which +had attracted his attention.</p> + +<p>"Evidently," said Michael to himself, "this troop of Tsiganes, +after remaining below all day, crouched under the forecastle +during the night. + Were these gipsies trying to show themselves as little as +possible? + Such is not according to the usual custom of their race."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff no longer doubted that the expressions he had +heard, had proceeded from this tawny group, and had been +exchanged between the old gypsy and the woman to whom he gave the +Mongolian name of Sangarre. Michael involuntarily moved towards +the gangway, as the Bohemian troop was leaving the steamboat.</p> + +<p>The old Bohemian was there, in a humble attitude, little +conformable with the effrontery natural to his race. + One would have said that he was endeavoring rather to avoid +attention than to attract it. His battered hat, browned by the +suns of every clime, was pulled forward over his wrinkled +face. + His arched back was bent under an old cloak, wrapped closely +round him, notwithstanding the heat. It would have been +difficult, in this miserable dress, to judge of either his size +or face. + Near him was the Tsigane, Sangarre, a woman about thirty years +old. + She was tall and well made, with olive complexion, magnificent +eyes, and golden hair.</p> + +<p>Many of the young dancers were remarkably pretty, all +possessing the clear-cut features of their race. These Tsiganes +are generally very attractive, and more than one of the great +Russian nobles, who try to vie with the English in eccentricity, +has not hesitated to choose his wife from among these gypsy +girls. + One of them was humming a song of strange rhythm, which might be +thus rendered:</p> + +<p>"Glitters brightly the gold In my raven locks streaming Rich +coral around My graceful neck gleaming; Like a bird of the air, +Through the wide world I roam."</p> + +<p>The laughing girl continued her song, but Michael Strogoff +ceased to listen. It struck him just then that the Tsigane, +Sangarre, was regarding him with a peculiar gaze, as if to fix +his features indelibly in her memory.</p> + +<p>It was but for a few moments, when Sangarre herself followed +the old man and his troop, who had already left the vessel. + "That's a bold gypsy," said Michael to himself. + "Could she have recognized me as the man whom she saw at +Nijni-Novgorod? These confounded Tsiganes have the eyes of a +cat! + They can see in the dark; and that woman there might well +know--"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was on the point of following Sangarre and +the gypsy band, but he stopped. "No," thought he, "no unguarded +proceedings. If I were to stop that old fortune teller and his +companions my incognito would run a risk of being discovered. +Besides, now they have landed, before they can pass the frontier +I shall be far beyond it. + They may take the route from Kasan to Ishim, but that affords no +resources to travelers. Besides a tarantass, drawn by good +Siberian horses, will always go faster than a gypsy cart! + Come, friend Korpanoff, be easy."</p> + +<p>By this time the man and Sangarre had disappeared.</p> + +<p>Kasan is justly called the "Gate of Asia" and considered as +the center of Siberian and Bokharian commerce; for two roads +begin here and lead across the Ural Mountains. Michael Strogoff +had very judiciously chosen the one by Perm and Ekaterenburg. It +is the great stage road, well supplied with relays kept at the +expense of the government, and is prolonged from Ishim to +Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>It is true that a second route--the one of which Michael had +just spoken-- avoiding the slight detour by Perm, also connects +Kasan with Ishim. It is perhaps shorter than the other, but this +advantage is much diminished by the absence of post-houses, the +bad roads, and lack of villages. + Michael Strogoff was right in the choice he had made, and if, as +appeared probable, the gipsies should follow the second route +from Kasan to Ishim, he had every chance of arriving before +them.</p> + +<p>An hour afterwards the bell rang on board the Caucasus, +calling the new passengers, and recalling the former ones. + It was now seven o'clock in the morning. The requisite fuel had +been received on board. The whole vessel began to vibrate from +the effects of the steam. She was ready to start. + Passengers going from Kasan to Perm were crowding on the +deck.</p> + +<p>Michael noticed that of the two reporters Blount alone had +rejoined the steamer. Was Alcide Jolivet about to miss his +passage?</p> + +<p>But just as the ropes were being cast off, Jolivet appeared, +tearing along. The steamer was already sheering off, the gangway +had been drawn onto the quay, but Alcide Jolivet would not stick +at such a little thing as that, so, with a bound like a +harlequin, he alighted on the deck of the Caucasus almost in his +rival's arms.</p> + +<p>"I thought the Caucasus was going without you," said the +latter.</p> + +<p>"Bah!" answered Jolivet, "I should soon have caught you up +again, by chartering a boat at my cousin's expense, or by +traveling post at twenty copecks a verst, and on horseback. What +could I do? + It was so long a way from the quay to the telegraph office."</p> + +<p>"Have you been to the telegraph office?" asked Harry Blount, +biting his lips.</p> + +<p>"That's exactly where I have been!" answered Jolivet, with his +most amiable smile.</p> + +<p>"And is it still working to Kolyvan?"</p> + +<p>"That I don't know, but I can assure you, for instance, that +it is working from Kasan to Paris."</p> + +<p>"You sent a dispatch to your cousin?"</p> + +<p>"With enthusiasm."</p> + +<p>"You had learnt then--?"</p> + +<p>"Look here, little father, as the Russians say," replied +Alcide Jolivet, "I'm a good fellow, and I don't wish to keep +anything from you. + The Tartars, and Feofar-Khan at their head, have passed +Semipolatinsk, and are descending the Irtish. Do what you like +with that!"</p> + +<p>What! such important news, and Harry Blount had not known it; +and his rival, who had probably learned it from some inhabitant +of Kasan, had already transmitted it to Paris. The English paper +was distanced! + Harry Blount, crossing his hands behind him, walked off and +seated himself in the stern without uttering a word.</p> + +<p>About ten o'clock in the morning, the young Livonian, leaving +her cabin, appeared on deck. Michael Strogoff went forward and +took her hand. + "Look, sister!" said he, leading her to the bows of the +Caucasus.</p> + +<p>The view was indeed well worth seeing. The Caucasus had +reached the confluence of the Volga and the Kama. There she would +leave the former river, after having descended it for nearly +three hundred miles, to ascend the latter for a full three +hundred.</p> + +<p>The Kama was here very wide, and its wooded banks lovely. + A few white sails enlivened the sparkling water. + The horizon was closed by a line of hills covered with aspens, +alders, and sometimes large oaks.</p> + +<p>But these beauties of nature could not distract the thoughts +of the young Livonian even for an instant. She had left her hand +in that of her companion, and turning to him, "At what distance +are we from Moscow?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Nine hundred versts," answered Michael.</p> + +<p>"Nine hundred, out of seven thousand!" murmured the girl.</p> + +<p>The bell now announced the breakfast hour. Nadia followed +Michael Strogoff to the restaurant. She ate little, and as a poor +girl whose means are small would do. Michael thought it best to +content himself with the fare which satisfied his companion; and +in less than twenty minutes he and Nadia returned on deck. + There they seated themselves in the stern, and without preamble, +Nadia, lowering her voice to be heard by him alone, began:</p> + +<p>"Brother, I am the daughter of an exile. My name is Nadia +Fedor. My mother died at Riga scarcely a month ago, and I am +going to Irkutsk to rejoin my father and share his exile."</p> + +<p>"I, too, am going to Irkutsk," answered Michael, "and I shall +thank Heaven if it enables me to give Nadia Fedor safe and sound +into her father's hands."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, brother," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff then added that he had obtained a special +podorojna for Siberia, and that the Russian authorities could in +no way hinder his progress.</p> + +<p>Nadia asked nothing more. She saw in this fortunate meeting +with Michael a means only of accelerating her journey to her +father.</p> + +<p>"I had," said she, "a permit which authorized me to go to +Irkutsk, but the new order annulled that; and but for you, +brother, I should have been unable to leave the town, in which, +without doubt, I should have perished."</p> + +<p>"And dared you, alone, Nadia," said Michael, "attempt to cross +the steppes of Siberia?"</p> + +<p>"The Tartar invasion was not known when I left Riga. It was +only at Moscow that I learnt the news."</p> + +<p>"And despite it, you continued your journey?"</p> + +<p>"It was my duty."</p> + +<p>The words showed the character of the brave girl.</p> + +<p>She then spoke of her father, Wassili Fedor. He was a +much-esteemed physician at Riga. But his connection with some +secret society having been asserted, he received orders to start +for Irkutsk. The police who brought the order conducted him +without delay beyond the frontier.</p> + +<p>Wassili Fedor had but time to embrace his sick wife and his +daughter, so soon to be left alone, when, shedding bitter tears, +he was led away. + A year and a half after her husband's departure, Madame Fedor +died in the arms of her daughter, who was thus left alone and +almost penniless. + Nadia Fedor then asked, and easily obtained from the Russian +government, an authorization to join her father at Irkutsk. She +wrote and told him she was starting. She had barely enough money +for this long journey, and yet she did not hesitate to undertake +it. She would do what she could. + God would do the rest.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER IX DAY AND NIGHT IN A TARANTASS</h2> + +<p>THE next day, the 19th of July, the Caucasus reached Perm, the +last place at which she touched on the Kama.</p> + +<p>The government of which Perm is the capital is one of the +largest in the Russian Empire, and, extending over the Ural +Mountains, encroaches on Siberian territory. Marble quarries, +mines of salt, platina, gold, and coal are worked here on a large +scale. + Although Perm, by its situation, has become an important town, +it is by no means attractive, being extremely dirty, and without +resources. + This want of comfort is of no consequence to those going to +Siberia, for they come from the more civilized districts, and are +supplied with all necessaries.</p> + +<p>At Perm travelers from Siberia resell their vehicles, more or +less damaged by the long journey across the plains. + There, too, those passing from Europe to Asia purchase +carriages, or sleighs in the winter season.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff had already sketched out his programme. + A vehicle carrying the mail usually runs across the Ural +Mountains, but this, of course, was discontinued. Even if it had +not been so, he would not have taken it, as he wished to travel +as fast as possible, without depending on anyone. He wisely +preferred to buy a carriage, and journey by stages, stimulating +the zeal of the postillions by well-applied "na vodkou," or +tips.</p> + +<p> + Unfortunately, in consequence of the measures taken against +foreigners of Asiatic origin, a large number of travelers had +already left Perm, and therefore conveyances were extremely rare. +Michael was obliged to content himself with what had been +rejected by others. + As to horses, as long as the Czar's courier was not in Siberia, +he could exhibit his podorojna, and the postmasters would give +him the preference. But, once out of Europe, he had to depend +alone on the power of his roubles.</p> + +<p>But to what sort of a vehicle should he harness his +horses? + To a telga or to a tarantass? The telga is nothing but an open +four-wheeled cart, made entirely of wood, the pieces fastened +together by means of strong rope. + Nothing could be more primitive, nothing could be less +comfortable; but, on the other hand, should any accident happen +on the way, nothing could be more easily repaired. There is no +want of firs on the Russian frontier, and axle-trees grow +naturally in forests. + The post extraordinary, known by the name of "perck-ladnoi," + is carried by the telga, as any road is good enough for it. + It must be confessed that sometimes the ropes which fasten the +concern together break, and whilst the hinder part remains stuck +in some bog, the fore-part arrives at the post-house on two +wheels; but this result is considered quite satisfactory.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff would have been obliged to employ a telga, if +he had not been lucky enough to discover a tarantass. + It is to be hoped that the invention of Russian coach-builders +will devise some improvement in this last-named vehicle. + Springs are wanting in it as well as in the telga; in the +absence of iron, wood is not spared; but its four wheels, with +eight or nine feet between them, assure a certain equilibrium +over the jolting rough roads. A splash-board protects the +travelers from the mud, and a strong leathern hood, which may be +pulled quite over the occupiers, shelters them from the great +heat and violent storms of the summer. + The tarantass is as solid and as easy to repair as the telga, +and is, moreover, less addicted to leaving its hinder part in the +middle of the road.</p> + +<p>It was not without careful search that Michael managed to +discover this tarantass, and there was probably not a second to +be found in all Perm. He haggled long about the price, for form's +sake, to act up to his part as Nicholas Korpanoff, a plain +merchant of Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>Nadia had followed her companion in his search after a +suitable vehicle. + Although the object of each was different, both were equally +anxious to arrive at their goal. One would have said the same +will animated them both.</p> + +<p>"Sister," said Michael, "I wish I could have found a more +comfortable conveyance for you."</p> + +<p>"Do you say that to me, brother, when I would have gone on +foot, if need were, to rejoin my father?"</p> + +<p>"I do not doubt your courage, Nadia, but there are physical +fatigues a woman may be unable to endure."</p> + +<p>"I shall endure them, whatever they be," replied the girl. + "If you ever hear a complaint from me you may leave me in the +road, and continue your journey alone."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, the podorojna being presented by Michael, +three post-horses were harnessed to the tarantass. These animals, +covered with long hair, were very like long-legged bears. + They were small but spirited, being of Siberian breed. + The way in which the iemschik harnessed them was thus: one, the +largest, was secured between two long shafts, on whose farther +end was a hoop carrying tassels and bells; the two others were +simply fastened by ropes to the steps of the tarantass. + This was the complete harness, with mere strings for reins.</p> + +<p>Neither Michael Strogoff nor the young Livonian girl had any +baggage. + The rapidity with which one wished to make the journey, and the +more than modest resources of the other, prevented them from +embarrassing themselves with packages. It was a fortunate thing, +under the circumstances, for the tarantass could not have carried +both baggage and travelers. + It was only made for two persons, without counting the iemschik, +who kept his equilibrium on his narrow seat in a marvelous +manner.</p> + +<p>The iemschik is changed at every relay. The man who drove the +tarantass during the first stage was, like his horses, a +Siberian, and no less shaggy than they; long hair, cut square on +the forehead, hat with a turned-up brim, red belt, coat with +crossed facings and buttons stamped with the imperial cipher. + The iemschik, on coming up with his team, threw an inquisitive +glance at the passengers of the tarantass. No luggage!-- and had +there been, where in the world could he have stowed it? + Rather shabby in appearance too. He looked contemptuous.</p> + +<p>"Crows," said he, without caring whether he was overheard or +not; "crows, at six copecks a verst!"</p> + +<p>"No, eagles!" said Michael, who understood the iemschik's +slang perfectly; "eagles, do you hear, at nine copecks a verst, +and a tip besides."</p> + +<p>He was answered by a merry crack of the whip.</p> + +<p>In the language of the Russian postillions the "crow" is the +stingy or poor traveler, who at the post-houses only pays two or +three copecks a verst for the horses. The "eagle" is the traveler +who does not mind expense, to say nothing of liberal tips. + Therefore the crow could not claim to fly as rapidly as the +imperial bird.</p> + +<p>Nadia and Michael immediately took their places in the +tarantass. + A small store of provisions was put in the box, in case at any +time they were delayed in reaching the post-houses, which are +very comfortably provided under direction of the State. The hood +was pulled up, as it was insupport-ably hot, and at twelve +o'clock the tarantass left Perm in a cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>The way in which the iemschik kept up the pace of his team +would have certainly astonished travelers who, being neither +Russians nor Siberians, were not accustomed to this sort of +thing. + The leader, rather larger than the others, kept to a steady long +trot, perfectly regular, whether up or down hill. + The two other horses seemed to know no other pace than the +gallop, though they performed many an eccentric curvette as they +went along. + The iemschik, however, never touched them, only urging them on +by startling cracks of his whip. But what epithets he lavished on +them, including the names of all the saints in the calendar, when +they behaved like docile and conscientious animals! + The string which served as reins would have had no influence on +the spirited beasts, but the words "na pravo," to the right, "na +levo," to the left, pronounced in a guttural tone, were more +effectual than either bridle or snaffle.</p> + +<p>And what amiable expressions! "Go on, my doves!" the iemschik +would say. "Go on, pretty swallows! Fly, my little pigeons! + Hold up, my cousin on the left! Gee up, my little father on the +right!"</p> + +<p>But when the pace slackened, what insulting expressions, +instantly understood by the sensitive animals! + "Go on, you wretched snail! Confound you, you slug! + I'll roast you alive, you tortoise, you!"</p> + +<p>Whether or not it was from this way of driving, which requires +the iemschiks to possess strong throats more than muscular arms, +the tarantass flew along at a rate of from twelve to fourteen +miles an hour. Michael Strogoff was accustomed both to the sort +of vehicle and the mode of traveling. Neither jerks nor jolts +incommoded him. He knew that a Russian driver never even tries to +avoid either stones, ruts, bogs, fallen trees, or trenches, which +may happen to be in the road. He was used to all that. + His companion ran a risk of being hurt by the violent jolts of +the tarantass, but she would not complain.</p> + +<p>For a little while Nadia did not speak. Then possessed with +the one thought, that of reaching her journey's end, "I have +calculated that there are three hundred versts between Perm and +Ekaterenburg, brother," said she. + "Am I right?"</p> + +<p>"You are quite right, Nadia," answered Michael; "and when we +have reached Ekaterenburg, we shall be at the foot of the Ural +Mountains on the opposite side."</p> + +<p>"How long will it take to get across the mountains?"</p> + +<p>"Forty-eight hours, for we shall travel day and night. + I say day and night, Nadia," added he, "for I cannot stop even +for a moment; I go on without rest to Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"I shall not delay you, brother; no, not even for an hour, and +we will travel day and night."</p> + +<p>"Well then, Nadia, if the Tartar invasion has only left the +road open, we shall arrive in twenty days."</p> + +<p>"You have made this journey before?" asked Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Many times."</p> + +<p>"During winter we should have gone more rapidly and surely, +should we not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, especially with more rapidity, but you would have +suffered much from the frost and snow."</p> + +<p>"What matter! Winter is the friend of Russia."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Nadia, but what a constitution anyone must have to +endure such friendship! I have often seen the temperature in the +Siberian steppes fall to more than forty degrees below freezing +point! + I have felt, notwithstanding my reindeer coat, my heart growing +chill, my limbs stiffening, my feet freezing in triple woolen +socks; I have seen my sleigh horses covered with a coating of +ice, their breath congealed at their nostrils. + I have seen the brandy in my flask change into hard stone, on +which not even my knife could make an impression. + But my sleigh flew like the wind. Not an obstacle on the plain, +white and level farther than the eye could reach! No rivers to +stop one! Hard ice everywhere, the route open, the road sure! + But at the price of what suffering, Nadia, those alone could +say, who have never returned, but whose bodies have been covered +up by the snow storm."</p> + +<p>"However, you have returned, brother," said Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I am a Siberian, and, when quite a child, I used to +follow my father to the chase, and so became inured to these +hardships. + But when you said to me, Nadia, that winter would not have +stopped you, that you would have gone alone, ready to struggle +against the frightful Siberian climate, I seemed to see you lost +in the snow and falling, never to rise again."</p> + +<p>"How many times have you crossed the steppe in winter?" + asked the young Livonian.</p> + +<p>"Three times, Nadia, when I was going to Omsk."</p> + +<p>"And what were you going to do at Omsk?"</p> + +<p>"See my mother, who was expecting me."</p> + +<p>"And I am going to Irkutsk, where my father expects me. + I am taking him my mother's last words. That is as much as to +tell you, brother, that nothing would have prevented me from +setting out."</p> + +<p>"You are a brave girl, Nadia," replied Michael. "God Himself +would have led you."</p> + +<p>All day the tarantass was driven rapidly by the iemschiks, who +succeeded each other at every stage. The eagles of the mountain +would not have found their name dishonored by these "eagles" + of the highway. The high price paid for each horse, and the tips +dealt out so freely, recommended the travelers in a special +way. + Perhaps the postmasters thought it singular that, after the +publication of the order, a young man and his sister, evidently +both Russians, could travel freely across Siberia, which was +closed to everyone else, but their papers were all en regle and +they had the right to pass.</p> + +<p>However, Michael Strogoff and Nadia were not the only +travelers on their way from Perm to Ekaterenburg. At the first +stages, the courier of the Czar had learnt that a carriage +preceded them, but, as there was no want of horses, he did not +trouble himself about that.</p> + +<p>During the day, halts were made for food alone. + At the post-houses could be found lodging and provision. + Besides, if there was not an inn, the house of the Russian +peasant would have been no less hospitable. In the villages, +which are almost all alike, with their white-walled, green-roofed +chapels, the traveler might knock at any door, and it would be +opened to him. + The moujik would come out, smiling and extending his hand to his +guest. + He would offer him bread and salt, the burning charcoal would be +put into the "samovar," and he would be made quite at home. + The family would turn out themselves rather than that he should +not have room. The stranger is the relation of all. + He is "one sent by God."</p> + +<p>On arriving that evening Michael instinctively asked the +postmaster how many hours ago the carriage which preceded them +had passed that stage.</p> + +<p>"Two hours ago, little father," replied the postmaster.</p> + +<p>"Is it a berlin?"</p> + +<p>"No, a telga."</p> + +<p>"How many travelers?"</p> + +<p>"Two."</p> + +<p>"And they are going fast?"</p> + +<p>"Eagles!"</p> + +<p>"Let them put the horses to as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>Michael and Nadia, resolved not to stop even for an hour, +traveled all night. The weather continued fine, though the +atmosphere was heavy and becoming charged with electricity. + It was to be hoped that a storm would not burst whilst they were +among the mountains, for there it would be terrible. + Being accustomed to read atmospheric signs, Michael Strogoff +knew that a struggle of the elements was approaching.</p> + +<p>The night passed without incident. Notwithstanding the jolting +of the tarantass, Nadia was able to sleep for some hours. + The hood was partly raised so as to give as much air as there +was in the stifling atmosphere.</p> + +<p>Michael kept awake all night, mistrusting the iemschiks, who +are apt to sleep at their posts. Not an hour was lost at the +relays, not an hour on the road.</p> + +<p>The next day, the 20th of July, at about eight o'clock in the +morning, they caught the first glimpse of the Ural Mountains in +the east. + This important chain which separates Russia from Siberia was +still at a great distance, and they could not hope to reach it +until the end of the day. The passage of the mountains must +necessarily be performed during the next night. The sky was +cloudy all day, and the temperature was therefore more bearable, +but the weather was very threatening.</p> + +<p>It would perhaps have been more prudent not to have ascended +the mountains during the night, and Michael would not have done +so, had he been permitted to wait; but when, at the last stage, +the iemschik drew his attention to a peal of thunder +reverberating among the rocks, he merely said:</p> + +<p>"Is a telga still before us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How long is it in advance?"</p> + +<p>"Nearly an hour."</p> + +<p>"Forward, and a triple tip if we are at Ekaterenburg to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER X A STORM IN THE URAL MOUNTAINS</h2> + +<p>THE Ural Mountains extend in a length of over two thousand +miles between Europe and Asia. Whether they are called the Urals, +which is the Tartar, or the Poyas, which is the Russian name, +they are correctly so termed; for these names signify "belt" + in both languages. Rising on the shores of the Arctic Sea, they +reach the borders of the Caspian. This was the barrier to be +crossed by Michael Strogoff before he could enter Siberian +Russia. The mountains could be crossed in one night, if no +accident happened. Unfortunately, thunder muttering in the +distance announced that a storm was at hand. + The electric tension was such that it could not be dispersed +without a tremendous explosion, which in the peculiar state of +the atmosphere would be very terrible.</p> + +<p>Michael took care that his young companion should be as well +protected as possible. The hood, which might have been easily +blown away, was fastened more securely with ropes, crossed above +and at the back. + The traces were doubled, and, as an additional precaution, the +nave-boxes were stuffed with straw, as much to increase the +strength of the wheels as to lessen the jolting, unavoidable on a +dark night. + Lastly, the fore and hinder parts, connected simply by the axles +to the body of the tarantass, were joined one to the other by a +crossbar, fixed by means of pins and screws.</p> + +<p> + Nadia resumed her place in the cart, and Michael took his seat +beside her. Before the lowered hood hung two leathern curtains, +which would in some degree protect the travelers against the wind +and rain. Two great lanterns, suspended from the iemschik's seat, +threw a pale glimmer scarcely sufficient to light the way, but +serving as warning lights to prevent any other carriage from +running into them.</p> + +<p>It was well that all these precautions were taken, in +expectation of a rough night. The road led them up towards dense +masses of clouds, and should the clouds not soon resolve into +rain, the fog would be such that the tarantass would be unable to +advance without danger of falling over some precipice.</p> + +<p>The Ural chain does not attain any very great height, the +highest summit not being more than five thousand feet. + Eternal snow is there unknown, and what is piled up by the +Siberian winter is soon melted by the summer sun. + Shrubs and trees grow to a considerable height. + The iron and copper mines, as well as those of precious stones, +draw a considerable number of workmen to that region. + Also, those villages termed "gavody" are there met with pretty +frequently, and the road through the great passes is easily +practicable for post-carriages.</p> + +<p>But what is easy enough in fine weather and broad daylight, +offers difficulties and perils when the elements are engaged in +fierce warfare, and the traveler is in the midst of it. + Michael Strogoff knew from former experience what a storm in the +mountains was, and perhaps this would be as terrible as the +snowstorms which burst forth with such vehemence in the +winter.</p> + +<p>Rain was not yet falling, so Michael raised the leathern +curtains which protected the interior of the tarantass and looked +out, watching the sides of the road, peopled with fantastic +shadows, caused by the wavering light of the lanterns. Nadia, +motionless, her arms folded, gazed forth also, though without +leaning forward, whilst her companion, his body half out of the +carriage, examined both sky and earth.</p> + +<p>The calmness of the atmosphere was very threatening, the air +being perfectly still. It was just as if Nature were half +stifled, and could no longer breathe; her lungs, that is to say +those gloomy, dense clouds, not being able to perform their +functions. + The silence would have been complete but for the grindings of +the wheels of the tarantass over the road, the creaking of the +axles, the snorting of the horses, and the clattering of their +iron hoofs among the pebbles, sparks flying out on every +side.</p> + +<p>The road was perfectly deserted. The tarantass encountered +neither pedestrians nor horsemen, nor a vehicle of any +description, in the narrow defiles of the Ural, on this +threatening night. + Not even the fire of a charcoal-burner was visible in the woods, +not an encampment of miners near the mines, not a hut among the +brushwood.</p> + +<p>Under these peculiar circumstances it might have been +allowable to postpone the journey till the morning. + Michael Strogoff, however, had not hesitated, he had no right to +stop, but then--and it began to cause him some anxiety-- what +possible reason could those travelers in the telga ahead have for +being so imprudent?</p> + +<p>Michael remained thus on the look-out for some time. + About eleven o'clock lightning began to blaze continuously in +the sky. + The shadows of huge pines appeared and disappeared in the rapid +light. + Sometimes when the tarantass neared the side of the road, deep +gulfs, lit up by the flashes, could be seen yawning beneath +them. + From time to time, on their vehicle giving a worse lurch than +usual, they knew that they were crossing a bridge of roughly-hewn +planks thrown over some chasm, thunder appearing actually to be +rumbling below them. Besides this, a booming sound filled the +air, which increased as they mounted higher. With these different +noises rose the shouts of the iemschik, sometimes scolding, +sometimes coaxing his poor beasts, who were suffering more from +the oppression of the air than the roughness of the roads. + Even the bells on the shafts could no longer rouse them, and +they stumbled every instant.</p> + +<p>"At what time shall we reach the top of the ridge?" asked +Michael of the iemschik.</p> + +<p>"At one o'clock in the morning if we ever get there at +all," + replied he, with a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>"Why, my friend, this will not be your first storm in the +mountains, will it?"</p> + +<p>"No, and pray God it may not be my last!"</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not afraid, but I repeat that I think you were wrong +in starting."</p> + +<p>"I should have been still more wrong had I stayed."</p> + +<p>"Hold up, my pigeons!" cried the iemschik; it was his business +to obey, not to question.</p> + +<p>Just then a distant noise was heard, shrill whistling through +the atmosphere, so calm a minute before. + By the light of a dazzling flash, almost immediately followed by +a tremendous clap of thunder, Michael could see huge pines on a +high peak, bending before the blast. The wind was unchained, but +as yet it was the upper air alone which was disturbed. + Successive crashes showed that many of the trees had been unable +to resist the burst of the hurricane. An avalanche of shattered +trunks swept across the road and dashed over the precipice on the +left, two hundred feet in front of the tarantass.</p> + +<p>The horses stopped short.</p> + +<p>"Get up, my pretty doves!" cried the iemschik, adding the +cracking of his whip to the rumbling of the thunder.</p> + +<p>Michael took Nadia's hand. "Are you asleep, sister?"</p> + +<p>"No, brother."</p> + +<p>"Be ready for anything; here comes the storm!"</p> + +<p>"I am ready."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff had only just time to draw the leathern +curtains, when the storm was upon them.</p> + +<p>The iemschik leapt from his seat and seized the horses' heads, +for terrible danger threatened the whole party.</p> + +<p>The tarantass was at a standstill at a turning of the road, +down which swept the hurricane; it was absolutely necessary to +hold the animals' heads to the wind, for if the carriage was +taken broadside it must infallibly capsize and be dashed over the +precipice. The frightened horses reared, and their driver could +not manage to quiet them. His friendly expressions had been +succeeded by the most insulting epithets. + Nothing was of any use. The unfortunate animals, blinded by the +lightning, terrified by the incessant peals of thunder, +threatened every instant to break their traces and flee. + The iemschik had no longer any control over his team.</p> + +<p>At that moment Michael Strogoff threw himself from the +tarantass and rushed to his assistance. Endowed with more than +common strength, he managed, though not without difficulty, to +master the horses.</p> + +<p>The storm now raged with redoubled fury. A perfect avalanche +of stones and trunks of trees began to roll down the slope above +them.</p> + +<p>"We cannot stop here," said Michael.</p> + +<p>"We cannot stop anywhere," returned the iemschik, all his +energies apparently overcome by terror. "The storm will soon send +us to the bottom of the mountain, and that by the shortest +way."</p> + +<p>"Take you that horse, coward," returned Michael, "I'll look +after this one."</p> + +<p>A fresh burst of the storm interrupted him. The driver and he +were obliged to crouch upon the ground to avoid being blown +down. + The carriage, notwithstanding their efforts and those of the +horses, was gradually blown back, and had it not been stopped by +the trunk of a tree, it would have gone over the edge of the +precipice.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid, Nadia!" cried Michael Strogoff.</p> + +<p>"I'm not afraid," replied the young Livonian, her voice not +betraying the slightest emotion.</p> + +<p>The rumbling of the thunder ceased for an instant, the +terrible blast had swept past into the gorge below.</p> + +<p>"Will you go back?" said the iemschik.</p> + +<p>"No, we must go on! Once past this turning, we shall have the +shelter of the slope."</p> + +<p>"But the horses won't move!"</p> + +<p>"Do as I do, and drag them on."</p> + +<p>"The storm will come back!"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to obey?"</p> + +<p>"Do you order it?"</p> + +<p>"The Father orders it!" answered Michael, for the first time +invoking the all-powerful name of the Emperor.</p> + +<p>"Forward, my swallows!" cried the iemschik, seizing one horse, +while Michael did the same to the other.</p> + +<p>Thus urged, the horses began to struggle onward. + They could no longer rear, and the middle horse not being +hampered by the others, could keep in the center of the road. + It was with the greatest difficulty that either man or beasts +could stand against the wind, and for every three steps they took +in advance, they lost one, and even two, by being forced +backwards. + They slipped, they fell, they got up again. The vehicle ran a +great risk of being smashed. If the hood had not been securely +fastened, it would have been blown away long before. + Michael Strogoff and the iemschik took more than two hours in +getting up this bit of road, only half a verst in length, so +directly exposed was it to the lashing of the storm. + The danger was not only from the wind which battered against the +travelers, but from the avalanche of stones and broken trunks +which were hurtling through the air.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, during a flash of lightning, one of these masses was +seen crashing and rolling down the mountain towards the +tarantass. + The iemschik uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff in vain brought his whip down on the team, +they refused to move.</p> + +<p>A few feet farther on, and the mass would pass behind +them! + Michael saw the tarantass struck, his companion crushed; he saw +there was no time to drag her from the vehicle.</p> + +<p>Then, possessed in this hour of peril with superhuman +strength, he threw himself behind it, and planting his feet on +the ground, by main force placed it out of danger.</p> + +<p>The enormous mass as it passed grazed his chest, taking away +his breath as though it had been a cannon-ball, then crushing to +powder the flints on the road, it bounded into the abyss +below.</p> + +<p>"Oh, brother!" cried Nadia, who had seen it all by the light +of the flashes.</p> + +<p>"Nadia!" replied Michael, "fear nothing!"</p> + +<p>"It is not on my own account that I fear!"</p> + +<p>"God is with us, sister!"</p> + +<p>"With me truly, brother, since He has sent thee in my +way!" + murmured the young girl.</p> + +<p>The impetus the tarantass had received was not to be lost, and +the tired horses once more moved forward. Dragged, so to speak, +by Michael and the iemschik, they toiled on towards a narrow +pass, lying north and south, where they would be protected from +the direct sweep of the tempest. + At one end a huge rock jutted out, round the summit of which +whirled an eddy. Behind the shelter of the rock there was a +comparative calm; yet once within the circumference of the +cyclone, neither man nor beast could resist its power.</p> + +<p>Indeed, some firs which towered above this protection were in +a trice shorn of their tops, as though a gigantic scythe had +swept across them. + The storm was now at its height. The lightning filled the +defile, and the thunderclaps had become one continued peal. The +ground, struck by the concussion, trembled as though the whole +Ural chain was shaken to its foundations.</p> + +<p>Happily, the tarantass could be so placed that the storm might +strike it obliquely. But the counter-currents, directed towards +it by the slope, could not be so well avoided, and so violent +were they that every instant it seemed as though it would be +dashed to pieces.</p> + +<p>Nadia was obliged to leave her seat, and Michael, by the light +of one of the lanterns, discovered an excavation bearing the +marks of a miner's pick, where the young girl could rest in +safety until they could once more start.</p> + +<p>Just then--it was one o'clock in the morning--the rain began +to fall in torrents, and this in addition to the wind and +lightning, made the storm truly frightful. To continue the +journey at present was utterly impossible. Besides, having +reached this pass, they had only to descend the slopes of the +Ural Mountains, and to descend now, with the road torn up by a +thousand mountain torrents, in these eddies of wind and rain, was +utter madness.</p> + +<p>"To wait is indeed serious," said Michael, "but it must +certainly be done, to avoid still longer detentions. The very +violence of the storm makes me hope that it will not last +long. + About three o'clock the day will begin to break, and the +descent, which we cannot risk in the dark, we shall be able, if +not with ease, at least without such danger, to attempt after +sunrise."</p> + +<p>"Let us wait, brother," replied Nadia; "but if you delay, let +it not be to spare me fatigue or danger."</p> + +<p>"Nadia, I know that you are ready to brave everything, but, in +exposing both of us, I risk more than my life, more than yours, I +am not fulfilling my task, that duty which before everything else +I must accomplish."</p> + +<p>"A duty!" murmured Nadia.</p> + +<p>Just then a bright flash lit up the sky; a loud clap +followed. + The air was filled with sulphurous suffocating vapor, and a +clump of huge pines, struck by the electric fluid, scarcely +twenty feet from the tarantass, flared up like a gigantic +torch.</p> + +<p>The iemschik was struck to the ground by a counter-shock, but, +regaining his feet, found himself happily unhurt.</p> + +<p>Just as the last growlings of the thunder were lost in the +recesses of the mountain, Michael felt Nadia's hand pressing his, +and he heard her whisper these words in his ear: "Cries, brother! +Listen!"</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XI TRAVELERS IN DISTRESS</h2> + +<p>DURING the momentary lull which followed, shouts could be +distinctly heard from farther on, at no great distance from the +tarantass. + It was an earnest appeal, evidently from some traveler in +distress.</p> + +<p>Michael listened attentively. The iemschik also listened, but +shook his head, as though it was impossible to help.</p> + +<p>"They are travelers calling for aid," cried Nadia.</p> + +<p>"They can expect nothing," replied the iemschik.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" cried Michael. "Ought not we do for them what they +would for us under similar circumstances?"</p> + +<p> + "Surely you will not risk the carriage and horses!"</p> + +<p>"I will go on foot," replied Michael, interrupting the +iemschik.</p> + +<p>"I will go, too, brother," said the young girl.</p> + +<p>"No, remain here, Nadia. The iemschik will stay with you. + I do not wish to leave him alone."</p> + +<p>"I will stay," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Whatever happens, do not leave this spot."</p> + +<p>"You will find me where I now am."</p> + +<p>Michael pressed her hand, and, turning the corner of the +slope, disappeared in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Your brother is wrong," said the iemschik.</p> + +<p>"He is right," replied Nadia simply.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Strogoff strode rapidly on. If he was in a great +hurry to aid the travelers, he was also very anxious to know who +it was that had not been hindered from starting by the storm; for +he had no doubt that the cries came from the telga, which had so +long preceded him.</p> + +<p>The rain had stopped, but the storm was raging with redoubled +fury. + The shouts, borne on the air, became more distinct. + Nothing was to be seen of the pass in which Nadia remained. + The road wound along, and the squalls, checked by the corners, +formed eddies highly dangerous, to pass which, without being +taken off his legs, Michael had to use his utmost strength.</p> + +<p>He soon perceived that the travelers whose shouts he had heard +were at no great distance. Even then, on account of the darkness, +Michael could not see them, yet he heard distinctly their +words.</p> + +<p>This is what he heard, and what caused him some surprise: "Are +you coming back, blockhead?"</p> + +<p>"You shall have a taste of the knout at the next stage."</p> + +<p>"Do you hear, you devil's postillion! Hullo! Below!"</p> + +<p>"This is how a carriage takes you in this country!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, this is what you call a telga!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that abominable driver! He goes on and does not appear to +have discovered that he has left us behind!"</p> + +<p>"To deceive me, too! Me, an honorable Englishman! I will make +a complaint at the chancellor's office and have the fellow +hanged."</p> + +<p>This was said in a very angry tone, but was suddenly +interrupted by a burst of laughter from his companion, who +exclaimed, "Well! this is a good joke, I must say."</p> + +<p>"You venture to laugh!" said the Briton angrily.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my dear confrere, and that most heartily. + 'Pon my word I never saw anything to come up to it."</p> + +<p>Just then a crashing clap of thunder re-echoed through the +defile, and then died away among the distant peaks. When the +sound of the last growl had ceased, the merry voice went on: +"Yes, it undoubtedly is a good joke. This machine certainly never +came from France."</p> + +<p>"Nor from England," replied the other.</p> + +<p>On the road, by the light of the flashes, Michael saw, twenty +yards from him, two travelers, seated side by side in a most +peculiar vehicle, the wheels of which were deeply imbedded in the +ruts formed in the road.</p> + +<p>He approached them, the one grinning from ear to ear, and the +other gloomily contemplating his situation, and recognized them +as the two reporters who had been his companions on board the +Caucasus.</p> + +<p>"Good-morning to you, sir," cried the Frenchman. "Delighted to +see you here. Let me introduce you to my intimate enemy, Mr. +Blount."</p> + +<p>The English reporter bowed, and was about to introduce in his +turn his companion, Alcide Jolivet, in accordance with the rules +of society, when Michael interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly unnecessary, sir; we already know each other, for +we traveled together on the Volga."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes! exactly so! Mr.--"</p> + +<p>"Nicholas Korpanoff, merchant, of Irkutsk. But may I know what +has happened which, though a misfortune to your companion, amuses +you so much?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Mr. Korpanoff," replied Alcide. "Fancy! our driver +has gone off with the front part of this confounded carriage, and +left us quietly seated in the back part! So here we are in the +worse half of a telga; no driver, no horses. + Is it not a joke?"</p> + +<p>"No joke at all," said the Englishman.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it is, my dear fellow. You do not know how to look at +the bright side of things."</p> + +<p>"How, pray, are we to go on?" asked Blount.</p> + +<p>"That is the easiest thing in the world," replied Alcide. "Go +and harness yourself to what remains of our cart; I will take the +reins, and call you my little pigeon, like a true iemschik, and +you will trot off like a real post-horse."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jolivet," replied the Englishman, "this joking is going +too far, it passes all limits and--"</p> + +<p>"Now do be quiet, my dear sir. When you are done up, I will +take your place; and call me a broken-winded snail and +faint-hearted tortoise if I don't take you over the ground at a +rattling pace."</p> + +<p>Alcide said all this with such perfect good-humor that Michael +could not help smiling. "Gentlemen," said he, "here is a better +plan. + We have now reached the highest ridge of the Ural chain, and +thus have merely to descend the slopes of the mountain. + My carriage is close by, only two hundred yards behind. + I will lend you one of my horses, harness it to the remains of +the telga, and to-mor-how, if no accident befalls us, we will +arrive together at Ekaterenburg."</p> + +<p>"That, Mr. Korpanoff," said Alcide, "is indeed a generous +proposal."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir," replied Michael, "I would willingly offer you +places in my tarantass, but it will only hold two, and my sister +and I already fill it."</p> + +<p>"Really, sir," answered Alcide, "with your horse and our +demi-telga we will go to the world's end."</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Harry Blount, "we most willingly accept your kind +offer. + And, as to that iemschik--"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I assure you that you are not the first travelers who +have met with a similar misfortune," replied Michael.</p> + +<p>"But why should not our driver come back? He knows perfectly +well that he has left us behind, wretch that he is!"</p> + +<p>"He! He never suspected such a thing."</p> + +<p>"What! the fellow not know that he was leaving the better half +of his telga behind?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, and in all good faith is driving the fore part +into Ekaterenburg."</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you that it was a good joke, confrere?" cried +Alcide.</p> + +<p>"Then, gentlemen, if you will follow me," said Michael, "we +will return to my carriage, and--"</p> + +<p>"But the telga," observed the Englishman.</p> + +<p>"There is not the slightest fear that it will fly away, my +dear Blount!" + exclaimed Alcide; "it has taken such good root in the ground, +that if it were left here until next spring it would begin to +bud."</p> + +<p>"Come then, gentlemen," said Michael Strogoff, "and we will +bring up the tarantass."</p> + +<p>The Frenchman and the Englishman, descending from their seats, +no longer the hinder one, since the front had taken its +departure, followed Michael.</p> + +<p>Walking along, Alcide Jolivet chattered away as usual, with +his invariable good-humor. "Faith, Mr. Korpanoff," + said he, "you have indeed got us out of a bad scrape."</p> + +<p>"I have only done, sir," replied Michael, "what anyone would +have done in my place."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, you have done us a good turn, and if you are going +farther we may possibly meet again, and--"</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet did not put any direct question to Michael as +to where he was going, but the latter, not wishing it to be +suspected that he had anything to conceal, at once replied, "I am +bound for Omsk, gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Blount and I," replied Alcide, "go where danger is +certainly to be found, and without doubt news also."</p> + +<p>"To the invaded provinces?" asked Michael with some +earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Exactly so, Mr. Korpanoff; and we may possibly meet +there."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir," replied Michael, "I have little love for +cannon-balls or lance points, and am by nature too great a lover +of peace to venture where fighting is going on."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, sir, extremely sorry; we must only regret that we +shall separate so soon! But on leaving Ekaterenburg it may be our +fortunate fate to travel together, if only for a few days?"</p> + +<p>"Do you go on to Omsk?" asked Michael, after a moment's +reflection.</p> + +<p>"We know nothing as yet," replied Alcide; "but we shall +certainly go as far as Ishim, and once there, our movements must +depend on circumstances."</p> + +<p>"Well then, gentlemen," said Michael, "we will be +fellow-travelers as far as Ishim."</p> + +<p>Michael would certainly have preferred to travel alone, but he +could not, without appearing at least singular, seek to separate +himself from the two reporters, who were taking the same road +that he was. + Besides, since Alcide and his companion intended to make some +stay at Ishim, he thought it rather convenient than otherwise to +make that part of the journey in their company.</p> + +<p>Then in an indifferent tone he asked, "Do you know, with any +certainty, where this Tartar invasion is?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir," replied Alcide, "we only know what they said at +Perm. Feofar-Khan's Tartars have invaded the whole province of +Semipolatinsk, and for some days, by forced marches, have been +descending the Irtish. You must hurry if you wish to get to Omsk +before them."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I must," replied Michael.</p> + +<p>"It is reported also that Colonel Ogareff has succeeded in +passing the frontier in disguise, and that he will not be slow in +joining the Tartar chief in the revolted country."</p> + +<p>"But how do they know it?" asked Michael, whom this news, more +or less true, so directly concerned.</p> + +<p>"Oh! as these things are always known," replied Alcide; "it is +in the air."</p> + +<p>"Then have you really reason to think that Colonel Ogareff is +in Siberia?"</p> + +<p>"I myself have heard it said that he was to take the road from +Kasan to Ekaterenburg."</p> + +<p>"Ah! you know that, Mr. Jolivet?" said Harry Blount, roused +from his silence.</p> + +<p>"I knew it," replied Alcide.</p> + +<p>"And do you know that he went disguised as a gypsy!" asked +Blount.</p> + +<p>"As a gypsy!" exclaimed Michael, almost involuntarily, and he +suddenly remembered the look of the old Bohemian at +Nijni-Novgorod, his voyage on board the Caucasus, and his +disembarking at Kasan.</p> + +<p>"Just well enough to make a few remarks on the subject in a +letter to my cousin," replied Alcide, smiling.</p> + +<p>"You lost no time at Kasan," dryly observed the +Englishman.</p> + +<p>"No, my dear fellow! and while the Caucasus was laying in her +supply of fuel, I was employed in obtaining a store of +information."</p> + +<p>Michael no longer listened to the repartee which Harry Blount +and Alcide exchanged. He was thinking of the gypsy troupe, of the +old Tsigane, whose face he had not been able to see, and of the +strange woman who accompanied him, and then of the peculiar +glance which she had cast at him. Suddenly, close by he heard a +pistol-shot.</p> + +<p>"Ah! forward, sirs!" cried he.</p> + +<p>"Hullo!" said Alcide to himself, "this quiet merchant who +always avoids bullets is in a great hurry to go where they are +flying about just now!"</p> + +<p>Quickly followed by Harry Blount, who was not a man to be +behind in danger, he dashed after Michael. In another instant the +three were opposite the projecting rock which protected the +tarantass at the turning of the road.</p> + +<p>The clump of pines struck by the lightning was still +burning. + There was no one to be seen. However, Michael was not +mistaken. + Suddenly a dreadful growling was heard, and then another +report.</p> + +<p>"A bear;" cried Michael, who could not mistake the +growling. + "Nadia; Nadia!" And drawing his cutlass from his belt, Michael +bounded round the buttress behind which the young girl had +promised to wait.</p> + +<p>The pines, completely enveloped in flames, threw a wild glare +on the scene. As Michael reached the tarantass, a huge animal +retreated towards him.</p> + +<p>It was a monstrous bear. The tempest had driven it from the +woods, and it had come to seek refuge in this cave, doubtless its +habitual retreat, which Nadia then occupied.</p> + +<p>Two of the horses, terrified at the presence of the enormous +creature, breaking their traces, had escaped, and the iemschik, +thinking only of his beasts, leaving Nadia face to face with the +bear, had gone in pursuit of them.</p> + +<p>But the brave girl had not lost her presence of mind. + The animal, which had not at first seen her, was attacking the +remaining horse. Nadia, leaving the shelter in which she had been +crouching, had run to the carriage, taken one of Michael's +revolvers, and, advancing resolutely towards the bear, had fired +close to it.</p> + +<p>The animal, slightly wounded in the shoulder, turned on the +girl, who rushed for protection behind the tarantass, but then, +seeing that the horse was attempting to break its traces, and +knowing that if it did so, and the others were not recovered, +their journey could not be continued, with the most perfect +coolness she again approached the bear, and, as it raised its +paws to strike her down, gave it the contents of the second +barrel.</p> + +<p>This was the report which Michael had just heard. In an +instant he was on the spot. Another bound and he was between the +bear and the girl. + His arm made one movement upwards, and the enormous beast, +ripped up by that terrible knife, fell to the ground a lifeless +mass. + He had executed in splendid style the famous blow of the +Siberian hunters, who endeavor not to damage the precious fur of +the bear, which fetches a high price.</p> + +<p>"You are not wounded, sister?" said Michael, springing to the +side of the young girl.</p> + +<p>"No, brother," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>At that moment the two journalists came up. Alcide seized the +horse's head, and, in an instant, his strong wrist mastered +it. + His companion and he had seen Michael's rapid stroke. + "Bravo!" cried Alcide; "for a simple merchant, Mr. Korpanoff, +you handle the hunter's knife in a most masterly fashion."</p> + +<p>"Most masterly, indeed," added Blount.</p> + +<p>"In Siberia," replied Michael, "we are obliged to do a little +of everything."</p> + +<p>Alcide regarded him attentively. Seen in the bright glare, his +knife dripping with blood, his tall figure, his foot firm on the +huge carcass, he was indeed worth looking at.</p> + +<p>"A formidable fellow," said Alcide to himself. + Then advancing respectfully, he saluted the young girl.</p> + +<p>Nadia bowed slightly.</p> + +<p>Alcide turned towards his companion. "The sister worthy of the +brother!" + said he. "Now, were I a bear, I should not meddle with two so +brave and so charming."</p> + +<p>Harry Blount, perfectly upright, stood, hat in hand, at some +distance. + His companion's easy manners only increased his usual +stiffness.</p> + +<p>At that moment the iemschik, who had succeeded in recapturing +his two horses, reappeared. He cast a regretful glance at the +magnificent animal lying on the ground, loth to leave it to the +birds of prey, and then proceeded once more to harness his +team.</p> + +<p>Michael acquainted him with the travelers' situation, and his +intention of loaning one of the horses.</p> + +<p>"As you please," replied the iemschik. "Only, you know, two +carriages instead of one."</p> + +<p>"All right, my friend," said Alcide, who understood the +insinuation, "we will pay double."</p> + +<p>"Then gee up, my turtle-doves!" cried the iemschik.</p> + +<p>Nadia again took her place in the tarantass. Michael and his +companions followed on foot. It was three o'clock. The storm +still swept with terrific violence across the defile. When the +first streaks of daybreak appeared the tarantass had reached the +telga, which was still conscientiously imbedded as far as the +center of the wheel. Such being the case, it can be easily +understood how a sudden jerk would separate the front from the +hinder part. + One of the horses was now harnessed by means of cords to the +remains of the telga, the reporters took their place on the +singular equipage, and the two carriages started off. + They had now only to descend the Ural slopes, in doing which +there was not the slightest difficulty.</p> + +<p>Six hours afterwards the two vehicles, the tarantass preceding +the telga, arrived at Ekaterenburg, nothing worthy of note having +happened in the descent.</p> + +<p>The first person the reporters perceived at the door of the +post-house was their iemschik, who appeared to be waiting for +them. + This worthy Russian had a fine open countenance, and he +smilingly approached the travelers, and, holding out his hand, in +a quiet tone he demanded the usual "pour-boire."</p> + +<p>This very cool request roused Blount's ire to its highest +pitch, and had not the iemschik prudently retreated, a +straight-out blow of the fist, in true British boxing style, +would have paid his claim of "na vodkou."</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet, at this burst of anger, laughed as he had +never laughed before.</p> + +<p>"But the poor devil is quite right!" he cried. + "He is perfectly right, my dear fellow. It is not his fault if +we did not know how to follow him!"</p> + +<p>Then drawing several copecks from his pocket, "Here my +friend," + said he, handing them to the iemschik; "take them. + If you have not earned them, that is not your fault."</p> + +<p>This redoubled Mr. Blount's irritation. He even began to speak +of a lawsuit against the owner of the telga.</p> + +<p>"A lawsuit in Russia, my dear fellow!" cried Alcide. "Things +must indeed change should it ever be brought to a conclusion! + Did you never hear the story of the wet-nurse who claimed +payment of twelve months' nursing of some poor little +infant?"</p> + +<p>"I never heard it," replied Harry Blount.</p> + +<p>"Then you do not know what that suckling had become by the +time judgment was given in favor of the nurse?"</p> + +<p>"What was he, pray?"</p> + +<p>"Colonel of the Imperial Guard!"</p> + +<p>At this reply all burst into a laugh.</p> + +<p>Alcide, enchanted with his own joke, drew out his notebook, +and in it wrote the following memorandum, destined to figure in a +forthcoming French and Russian dictionary: "Telga, a Russian +carriage with four wheels, that is when it starts; with two +wheels, when it arrives at its destination."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XII PROVOCATION</h2> + +<p>EKATERENBURG, geographically, is an Asiatic city; for it is +situated beyond the Ural Mountains, on the farthest eastern +slopes of the chain. + Nevertheless, it belongs to the government of Perm; and, +consequently, is included in one of the great divisions of +European Russia. It is as though a morsel of Siberia lay in +Russian jaws.</p> + +<p>Neither Michael nor his companions were likely to experience +the slightest difficulty in obtaining means of continuing their +journey in so large a town as Ekaterenburg. It was founded in +1723, and has since become a place of considerable size, for in +it is the chief mint of the empire. There also are the +headquarters of the officials employed in the management of the +mines. + Thus the town is the center of an important district, abounding +in manufactories principally for the working and refining of gold +and platina.</p> + +<p> + Just now the population of Ekaterenburg had greatly increased; +many Russians and Siberians, menaced by the Tartar invasion, +having collected there. Thus, though it had been so troublesome a +matter to find horses and vehicles when going to Ekaterenburg, +there was no difficulty in leaving it; for under present +circumstances few travelers cared to venture on the Siberian +roads.</p> + +<p>So it happened that Blount and Alcide had not the slightest +trouble in replacing, by a sound telga, the famous demi-carriage +which had managed to take them to Ekaterenburg. As to Michael, he +retained his tarantass, which was not much the worse for its +journey across the Urals; and he had only to harness three good +horses to it to take him swiftly over the road to Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>As far as Tioumen, and even up to Novo-Zaimskoe, this road has +slight inclines, which gentle undulations are the first signs of +the slopes of the Ural Mountains. But after Novo-Zaimskoe begins +the immense steppe.</p> + +<p>At Ichim, as we have said, the reporters intended to stop, +that is at about four hundred and twenty miles from Ekaterenburg. +There they intended to be guided by circumstances as to their +route across the invaded country, either together or separately, +according as their news-hunting instinct set them on one track or +another.</p> + +<p>This road from Ekaterenburg to Ichim--which passes through +Irkutsk-- was the only one which Michael could take. But, as he +did not run after news, and wished, on the contrary, to avoid the +country devastated by the invaders, he determined to stop +nowhere.</p> + +<p>"I am very happy to make part of my journey in your +company," + said he to his new companions, "but I must tell you that I am +most anxious to reach Omsk; for my sister and I are going to +rejoin our mother. + Who can say whether we shall arrive before the Tartars reach the +town! + I must therefore stop at the post-houses only long enough to +change horses, and must travel day and night."</p> + +<p>"That is exactly what we intend doing," replied Blount.</p> + +<p>"Good," replied Michael; "but do not lose an instant. + Buy or hire a carriage whose--"</p> + +<p>"Whose hind wheels," added Alcide, "are warranted to arrive at +the same time as its front wheels."</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterwards the energetic Frenchman had found a +tarantass in which he and his companion at once seated +themselves. + Michael and Nadia once more entered their own carriage, and at +twelve o'clock the two vehicles left the town of Ekaterenburg +together.</p> + +<p>Nadia was at last in Siberia, on that long road which led to +Irkutsk. What must then have been the thoughts of the young +girl? + Three strong swift horses were taking her across that land of +exile where her parent was condemned to live, for how long she +knew not, and so far from his native land. But she scarcely +noticed those long steppes over which the tarantass was rolling, +and which at one time she had despaired of ever seeing, for her +eyes were gazing at the horizon, beyond which she knew her +banished father was. She saw nothing of the country across which +she was traveling at the rate of fifteen versts an hour; nothing +of these regions of Western Siberia, so different from those of +the east. Here, indeed, were few cultivated fields; the soil was +poor, at least at the surface, but in its bowels lay hid +quantities of iron, copper, platina, and gold. + How can hands be found to cultivate the land, when it pays +better to burrow beneath the earth? The pickaxe is everywhere at +work; the spade nowhere.</p> + +<p>However, Nadia's thoughts sometimes left the provinces of Lake +Baikal, and returned to her present situation. + Her father's image faded away, and was replaced by that of her +generous companion as he first appeared on the Vladimir +railroad. + She recalled his attentions during that journey, his arrival at +the police-station, the hearty simplicity with which he had +called her sister, his kindness to her in the descent of the +Volga, and then all that he did for her on that terrible night of +the storm in the Urals, when he saved her life at the peril of +his own.</p> + +<p>Thus Nadia thought of Michael. She thanked God for having +given her such a gallant protector, a friend so generous and +wise. + She knew that she was safe with him, under his protection. + No brother could have done more than he. All obstacles seemed +cleared away; the performance of her journey was but a matter of +time.</p> + +<p>Michael remained buried in thought. He also thanked God for +having brought about this meeting with Nadia, which at the same +time enabled him to do a good action, and afforded him additional +means for concealing his true character. + He delighted in the young girl's calm intrepidity. + Was she not indeed his sister? His feeling towards his beautiful +and brave companion was rather respect than affection. + He felt that hers was one of those pure and rare hearts which +are held by all in high esteem.</p> + +<p>However, Michael's dangers were now beginning, since he had +reached Siberian ground. If the reporters were not mistaken, if +Ivan Ogareff had really passed the frontier, all his actions must +be made with extreme caution. Things were now altered; Tartar +spies swarmed in the Siberian provinces. His incognito once +discovered, his character as courier of the Czar known, there was +an end of his journey, and probably of his life. + Michael felt now more than ever the weight of his +responsibility.</p> + +<p>While such were the thoughts of those occupying the first +carriage, what was happening in the second? Nothing out of the +way. + Alcide spoke in sentences; Blount replied by monosyllables. + Each looked at everything in his own light, and made notes of +such incidents as occurred on the journey--few and but slightly +varied-- while they crossed the provinces of Western Siberia.</p> + +<p>At each relay the reporters descended from their carriage and +found themselves with Michael. Except when meals were to be taken +at the post-houses, Nadia did not leave the tarantass. + When obliged to breakfast or dine, she sat at table, but was +always very reserved, and seldom joined in conversation.</p> + +<p>Alcide, without going beyond the limits of strict propriety, +showed that he was greatly struck by the young girl. + He admired the silent energy which she showed in bearing all the +fatigues of so difficult a journey.</p> + +<p>The forced stoppages were anything but agreeable to Michael; +so he hastened the departure at each relay, roused the +innkeepers, urged on the iemschiks, and expedited the harnessing +of the tarantass. + Then the hurried meal over--always much too hurried to agree +with Blount, who was a methodical eater--they started, and were +driven as eagles, for they paid like princes.</p> + +<p>It need scarcely be said that Blount did not trouble himself +about the girl at table. That gentleman was not in the habit of +doing two things at once. She was also one of the few subjects of +conversation which he did not care to discuss with his +companion.</p> + +<p>Alcide having asked him, on one occasion, how old he thought +the girl, "What girl?" he replied, quite seriously.</p> + +<p>"Why, Nicholas Korpanoff's sister."</p> + +<p>"Is she his sister?"</p> + +<p>"No; his grandmother!" replied Alcide, angry at his +indifference. + "What age should you consider her?"</p> + +<p>"Had I been present at her birth I might have known."</p> + +<p>Very few of the Siberian peasants were to be seen in the +fields. + These peasants are remarkable for their pale, grave faces, which +a celebrated traveler has compared to those of the Castilians, +without the haughtiness of the latter. Here and there some +villages already deserted indicated the approach of the Tartar +hordes. + The inhabitants, having driven off their flocks of sheep, their +camels, and their horses, were taking refuge in the plains of the +north. + Some tribes of the wandering Kirghiz, who remained faithful, had +transported their tents beyond the Irtych, to escape the +depredations of the invaders.</p> + +<p>Happily, post traveling was as yet uninterrupted; and +telegraphic communication could still be effected between places +connected with the wire. At each relay horses were to be had on +the usual conditions. + At each telegraphic station the clerks transmitted messages +delivered to them, delaying for State dispatches alone.</p> + +<p>Thus far, then, Michael's journey had been accomplished +satisfactorily. + The courier of the Czar had in no way been impeded; and, if he +could only get on to Krasnoiarsk, which seemed the farthest point +attained by Feofar-Khan's Tartars, he knew that he could arrive +at Irkutsk, before them. The day after the two carriages had left +Ekaterenburg they reached the small town of Toulouguisk at seven +o'clock in the morning, having covered two hundred and twenty +versts, no event worthy of mention having occurred. The same +evening, the 22d of July, they arrived at Tioumen.</p> + +<p>Tioumen, whose population is usually ten thousand inhabitants, +then contained double that number. This, the first industrial +town established by the Russians in Siberia, in which may be seen +a fine metal-refining factory and a bell foundry, had never +before presented such an animated appearance. + The correspondents immediately went off after news. + That brought by Siberian fugitives from the seat of war was far +from reassuring. They said, amongst other things, that +Feofar-Khan's army was rapidly approaching the valley of the +Ichim, and they confirmed the report that the Tartar chief was +soon to be joined by Colonel Ogareff, if he had not been so +already. Hence the conclusion was that operations would be pushed +in Eastern Siberia with the greatest activity. + However, the loyal Cossacks of the government of Tobolsk were +advancing by forced marches towards Tomsk, in the hope of cutting +off the Tartar columns.</p> + +<p>At midnight the town of Novo-Saimsk was reached; and the +travelers now left behind them the country broken by tree-covered +hills, the last remains of the Urals.</p> + +<p>Here began the regular Siberian steppe which extends to the +neighborhood of Krasnoiarsk. It is a boundless plain, a vast +grassy desert; earth and sky here form a circle as distinct as +that traced by a sweep of the compasses. The steppe presents +nothing to attract notice but the long line of the telegraph +posts, their wires vibrating in the breeze like the strings of a +harp. + The road could be distinguished from the rest of the plain only +by the clouds of fine dust which rose under the wheels of the +tarantass. + Had it not been for this white riband, which stretched away as +far as the eye could reach, the travelers might have thought +themselves in a desert.</p> + +<p>Michael and his companions again pressed rapidly forward. + The horses, urged on by the iemschik, seemed to fly over the +ground, for there was not the slightest obstacle to impede +them. + The tarantass was going straight for Ichim, where the two +correspondents intended to stop, if nothing happened to make them +alter their plans.</p> + +<p>A hundred and twenty miles separated Novo-Saimsk from the town +of Ichim, and before eight o'clock the next evening the distance +could and should be accomplished if no time was lost. + In the opinion of the iemschiks, should the travelers not be +great lords or high functionaries, they were worthy of being so, +if it was only for their generosity in the matter of "na +vodkou."</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of the next day, the 23rd of July, the two +carriages were not more than thirty versts from Ichim. Suddenly +Michael caught sight of a carriage--scarcely visible among the +clouds of dust-- preceding them along the road. As his horses +were evidently less fatigued than those of the other traveler, he +would not be long in overtaking it. This was neither a tarantass +nor a telga, but a post-berlin, which looked as if it had made a +long journey. + The postillion was thrashing his horses with all his might, and +only kept them at a gallop by dint of abuse and blows. + The berlin had certainly not passed through Novo-Saimsk, and +could only have struck the Irkutsk road by some less frequented +route across the steppe.</p> + +<p>Our travelers' first thought, on seeing this berlin, was to +get in front of it, and arrive first at the relay, so as to make +sure of fresh horses. + They said a word to their iemschiks, who soon brought them up +with the berlin.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff came up first. As he passed, a head was +thrust out of the window of the berlin.</p> + +<p>He had not time to see what it was like, but as he dashed by +he distinctly heard this word, uttered in an imperious tone: +"Stop!"</p> + +<p>But they did not stop; on the contrary, the berlin was soon +distanced by the two tarantasses.</p> + +<p>It now became a regular race; for the horses of the berlin-- +no doubt excited by the sight and pace of the others-- recovered +their strength and kept up for some minutes. + The three carriages were hidden in a cloud of dust. + From this cloud issued the cracking of whips mingled with +excited shouts and exclamations of anger.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the advantage remained with Michael and his +companions, which might be very important to them if the relay +was poorly provided with horses. Two carriages were perhaps more +than the postmaster could provide for, at least in a short space +of time.</p> + +<p>Half an hour after the berlin was left far behind, looking +only a speck on the horizon of the steppe.</p> + +<p>It was eight o'clock in the evening when the two carriages +reached Ichim. The news was worse and worse with regard to the +invasion. The town itself was menaced by the Tartar vanguard; and +two days before the authorities had been obliged to retreat to +Tobolsk. There was not an officer nor a soldier left in +Ichim.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the relay, Michael Strogoff immediately asked +for horses. He had been fortunate in distancing the berlin. + Only three horses were fit to be harnessed. The others had just +come in worn out from a long stage.</p> + +<p>As the two correspondents intended to stop at Ichim, they had +not to trouble themselves to find transport, and had their +carriage put away. + In ten minutes Michael was told that his tarantass was ready to +start.</p> + +<p>"Good," said he.</p> + +<p>Then turning to the two reporters: "Well, gentlemen, the time +is come for us to separate."</p> + +<p>"What, Mr. Korpanoff," said Alcide Jolivet, "shall you not +stop even for an hour at Ichim?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; and I also wish to leave the post-house before the +arrival of the berlin which we distanced."</p> + +<p>"Are you afraid that the traveler will dispute the horses with +you?"</p> + +<p>"I particularly wish to avoid any difficulty."</p> + +<p>"Then, Mr. Korpanoff," said Jolivet, "it only remains for us +to thank you once more for the service you rendered us, and the +pleasure we have had in traveling with you."</p> + +<p>"It is possible that we shall meet you again in a few days at +Omsk," added Blount.</p> + +<p>"It is possible," answered Michael, "since I am going straight +there."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wish you a safe journey, Mr. Korpanoff," said Alcide, +"and Heaven preserve you from telgas."</p> + +<p>The two reporters held out their hands to Michael with the +intention of cordially shaking his, when the sound of a carriage +was heard outside. + Almost immediately the door was flung open and a man +appeared.</p> + +<p>It was the traveler of the berlin, a military-looking man, +apparently about forty years of age, tall, robust in figure, +broad-shouldered, with a strongly-set head, and thick mus-taches +meeting red whiskers. He wore a plain uniform. + A cavalry saber hung at his side, and in his hand he held a +short-handled whip.</p> + +<p>"Horses," he demanded, with the air of a man accustomed to +command.</p> + +<p>"I have no more disposable horses," answered the postmaster, +bowing.</p> + +<p>"I must have some this moment."</p> + +<p>"It is impossible."</p> + +<p>"What are those horses which have just been harnessed to the +tarantass I saw at the door?"</p> + +<p>"They belong to this traveler," answered the postmaster, +pointing to Michael Strogoff.</p> + +<p>"Take them out!" said the traveler in a tone which admitted of +no reply.</p> + +<p>Michael then advanced.</p> + +<p>"These horses are engaged by me," he said.</p> + +<p>"What does that matter? I must have them. Come, be quick; I +have no time to lose."</p> + +<p>"I have no time to lose either," replied Michael, restraining +himself with difficulty.</p> + +<p>Nadia was near him, calm also, but secretly uneasy at a scene +which it would have been better to avoid.</p> + +<p>"Enough!" said the traveler. Then, going up to the postmaster, +"Let the horses be put into my berlin," he exclaimed with a +threatening gesture.</p> + +<p>The postmaster, much embarrassed, did not know whom to obey, +and looked at Michael, who evidently had the right to resist the +unjust demands of the traveler.</p> + +<p>Michael hesitated an instant. He did not wish to make use of +his podorojna, which would have drawn attention to him, and he +was most unwilling also, by giving up his horses, to delay his +journey, and yet he must not engage in a struggle which might +compromise his mission.</p> + +<p>The two reporters looked at him ready to support him should he +appeal to them.</p> + +<p>"My horses will remain in my carriage," said Michael, but +without raising his tone more than would be suitable for a plain +Irkutsk merchant.</p> + +<p>The traveler advanced towards Michael and laid his hand +heavily on his shoulder. "Is it so?" he said roughly. + "You will not give up your horses to me?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Michael.</p> + +<p>"Very well, they shall belong to whichever of us is able to +start. + Defend yourself; I shall not spare you!"</p> + +<p>So saying, the traveler drew his saber from its sheath, and +Nadia threw herself before Michael.</p> + +<p>Blount and Alcide Jolivet advanced towards him.</p> + +<p>"I shall not fight," said Michael quietly, folding his arms +across his chest.</p> + +<p>"You will not fight?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Not even after this?" exclaimed the traveler. And before +anyone could prevent him, he struck Michael's shoulder with the +handle of the whip. At this insult Michael turned deadly +pale. + His hands moved convulsively as if he would have knocked the +brute down. + But by a tremendous effort he mastered himself. A duel! it was +more than a delay; it was perhaps the failure of his mission. + It would be better to lose some hours. Yes; but to swallow this +affront!</p> + +<p>"Will you fight now, coward?" repeated the traveler, adding +coarseness to brutality.</p> + +<p>"No," answered Michael, without moving, but looking the other +straight in the face.</p> + +<p>"The horses this moment," said the man, and left the room.</p> + +<p>The postmaster followed him, after shrugging his shoulders and +bestowing on Michael a glance of anything but approbation.</p> + +<p>The effect produced on the reporters by this incident was not +to Michael's advantage. Their discomfiture was visible. + How could this strong young man allow himself to be struck like +that and not demand satisfaction for such an insult? + They contented themselves with bowing to him and retired, +Jolivet remarking to Harry Blount</p> + +<p>"I could not have believed that of a man who is so skillful in +finishing up Ural Mountain bears. Is it the case that a man can +be courageous at one time and a coward at another? + It is quite incomprehensible."</p> + +<p>A moment afterwards the noise of wheels and whip showed that +the berlin, drawn by the tarantass' horses, was driving rapidly +away from the post-house.</p> + +<p>Nadia, unmoved, and Michael, still quivering, remained alone +in the room. + The courier of the Czar, his arms crossed over his chest was +seated motionless as a statue. A color, which could not have been +the blush of shame, had replaced the paleness on his +countenance.</p> + +<p>Nadia did not doubt that powerful reasons alone could have +allowed him to suffer so great a humiliation from such a man. +Going up to him as he had come to her in the police-station at +Nijni-Novgorod:</p> + +<p>"Your hand, brother," said she.</p> + +<p>And at the same time her hand, with an almost maternal +gesture, wiped away a tear which sprang to her companion's +eye.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII DUTY BEFORE EVERYTHING</h2> + +<p>NADIA, with the clear perception of a right-minded woman, +guessed that some secret motive directed all Michael Strogoff's +actions; that he, for a reason unknown to her, did not belong to +himself; and that in this instance especially he had heroically +sacrificed to duty even his resentment at the gross injury he had +received.</p> + +<p>Nadia, therefore, asked no explanation from Michael. Had not +the hand which she had extended to him already replied to all +that he might have been able to tell her?</p> + +<p>Michael remained silent all the evening. The postmaster not +being able to supply them with fresh horses until the next +morning, a whole night must be passed at the house. + Nadia could profit by it to take some rest, and a room was +therefore prepared for her.</p> + +<p>The young girl would no doubt have preferred not to leave her +companion, but she felt that he would rather be alone, and she +made ready to go to her room.</p> + +<p>Just as she was about to retire she could not refrain from +going up to Michael to say good-night.</p> + +<p>"Brother," she whispered. But he checked her with a +gesture. + The girl sighed and left the room.</p> + +<p> + Michael Strogoff did not lie down. He could not have slept even +for an hour. The place on which he had been struck by the brutal +traveler felt like a burn.</p> + +<p>"For my country and the Father," he muttered as he ended his +evening prayer.</p> + +<p>He especially felt a great wish to know who was the man who +had struck him, whence he came, and where he was going. + As to his face, the features of it were so deeply engraven on +his memory that he had no fear of ever forgetting them.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff at last asked for the postmaster. The latter, +a Siberian of the old type, came directly, and looking rather +contemptuously at the young man, waited to be questioned.</p> + +<p>"You belong to the country?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Do you know that man who took my horses?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Had you never seen him before?"</p> + +<p>"Never."</p> + +<p>"Who do you think he was?"</p> + +<p>"A man who knows how to make himself obeyed."</p> + +<p>Michael fixed his piercing gaze upon the Siberian, but the +other did not quail before it.</p> + +<p>"Do you dare to judge me?" exclaimed Michael.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the Siberian, "there are some things even a +plain merchant cannot receive without returning."</p> + +<p>"Blows?"</p> + +<p>"Blows, young man. I am of an age and strength to tell you +so."</p> + +<p>Michael went up to the postmaster and laid his two powerful +hands on his shoulders.</p> + +<p>Then in a peculiarly calm tone, "Be off, my friend," said he: +"be off! I could kill you."</p> + +<p>The postmaster understood. "I like him better for that," + he muttered and retired without another word.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock the next morning, the 24th of July, three +strong horses were harnessed to the tarantass. + Michael Strogoff and Nadia took their places, and Ichim, with +its disagreeable remembrances, was soon left far behind.</p> + +<p>At the different relays at which they stopped during the day +Strogoff ascertained that the berlin still preceded them on the +road to Irkutsk, and that the traveler, as hurried as they were, +never lost a minute in pursuing his way across the steppe.</p> + +<p>At four o'clock in the evening they reached Abatskaia, fifty +miles farther on, where the Ichim, one of the principal affluents +of the Irtych, had to be crossed. This passage was rather more +difficult than that of the Tobol. Indeed the current of the Ichim +was very rapid just at that place. + During the Siberian winter, the rivers being all frozen to a +thickness of several feet, they are easily practicable, and the +traveler even crosses them without being aware of the fact, for +their beds have disappeared under the snowy sheet spread +uniformly over the steppe; but in summer the difficulties of +crossing are sometimes great.</p> + +<p>In fact, two hours were taken up in making the passage of the +Ichim, which much exasperated Michael, especially as the boatmen +gave them alarming news of the Tartar invasion. + Some of Feofar-Khan's scouts had already appeared on both banks +of the lower Ichim, in the southern parts of the government of +Tobolsk. Omsk was threatened. They spoke of an engagement which +had taken place between the Siberian and Tartar troops on the +frontier of the great Kirghese horde--an engagement not to the +advantage of the Russians, who were weak in numbers. + The troops had retreated thence, and in consequence there had +been a general emigration of all the peasants of the +province. + The boatmen spoke of horrible atrocities committed by the +invaders-- pillage, theft, incendiarism, murder. Such was the +system of Tartar warfare.</p> + +<p>The people all fled before Feofar-Khan. Michael Strogoff's +great fear was lest, in the depopulation of the towns, he should +be unable to obtain the means of transport. + He was therefore extremely anxious to reach Omsk. Perhaps there +they would get the start of the Tartar scouts, who were coming +down the valley of the Irtych, and would find the road open to +Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>Just at the place where the tarantass crossed the river ended +what is called, in military language, the "Ichim chain"--a chain +of towers, or little wooden forts, extending from the southern +frontier of Siberia for a distance of nearly four hundred +versts. + Formerly these forts were occupied by detachments of Cossacks, +and they protected the country against the Kirghese, as well as +against the Tartars. But since the Muscovite Government had +believed these hordes reduced to absolute submission, they had +been abandoned, and now could not be used; just at the time when +they were needed. + Many of these forts had been reduced to ashes; and the boatmen +even pointed out the smoke to Michael, rising in the southern +horizon, and showing the approach of the Tartar +advance-guard.</p> + +<p>As soon as the ferryboat landed the tarantass on the right +bank of the Ichim, the journey across the steppe was resumed with +all speed. + Michael Strogoff remained very silent. He was, however, always +attentive to Nadia, helping her to bear the fatigue of this long +journey without break or rest; but the girl never complained. + She longed to give wings to the horses. Something told her that +her companion was even more anxious than herself to reach +Irkutsk; and how many versts were still between!</p> + +<p>It also occurred to her that if Omsk was entered by the +Tartars, Michael's mother, who lived there, would be in danger, +and that this was sufficient to explain her son's impatience to +get to her.</p> + +<p>Nadia at last spoke to him of old Marfa, and of how +unprotected she would be in the midst of all these events.</p> + +<p>"Have you received any news of your mother since the beginning +of the invasion?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"None, Nadia. The last letter my mother wrote to me contained +good news. Marfa is a brave and energetic Siberian woman. + Notwithstanding her age, she has preserved all her moral +strength. + She knows how to suffer."</p> + +<p>"I shall see her, brother," said Nadia quickly. "Since you +give me the name of sister, I am Marfa's daughter."</p> + +<p>And as Michael did not answer she added:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps your mother has been able to leave Omsk?"</p> + +<p>"It is possible, Nadia," replied Michael; "and I hope she may +have reached Tobolsk. Marfa hates the Tartars. She knows the +steppe, and would have no fear in just taking her staff and going +down the banks of the Irtych. There is not a spot in all the +province unknown to her. + Many times has she traveled all over the country with my father; +and many times I myself, when a mere child, have accompanied them +across the Siberian desert. Yes, Nadia, I trust that my mother +has left Omsk."</p> + +<p>"And when shall you see her?"</p> + +<p>"I shall see her--on my return."</p> + +<p>"If, however, your mother is still at Omsk, you will be able +to spare an hour to go to her?"</p> + +<p>"I shall not go and see her."</p> + +<p>"You will not see her?"</p> + +<p>"No, Nadia," said Michael, his chest heaving as he felt he +could not go on replying to the girl's questions.</p> + +<p>"You say no! Why, brother, if your mother is still at Omsk, +for what reason could you refuse to see her?"</p> + +<p>"For what reason, Nadia? You ask me for what reason," +exclaimed Michael, in so changed a voice that the young girl +started. "For the same reason as that which made me patient even +to cowardice with the villain who--" + He could not finish his sentence.</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, brother," said Nadia in a gentle voice. + "I only know one thing, or rather I do not know it, I feel +it. + It is that all your conduct is now directed by the sentiment of +a duty more sacred--if there can be one--than that which unites +the son to the mother."</p> + +<p>Nadia was silent, and from that moment avoided every subject +which in any way touched on Michael's peculiar situation. + He had a secret motive which she must respect. She respected +it.</p> + +<p>The next day, July 25th, at three o'clock in the morning, the +tarantass arrived at Tioukalmsk, having accomplished a distance +of eighty miles since it had crossed the Ichim. They rapidly +changed horses. + Here, however, for the first time, the iemschik made +difficulties about starting, declaring that detachments of +Tartars were roving across the steppe, and that travelers, +horses, and carriages would be a fine prize for them.</p> + +<p>Only by dint of a large bribe could Michael get over the +unwillingness of the iemschik, for in this instance, as in many +others, he did not wish to show his podorojna. + The last ukase, having been transmitted by telegraph, was known +in the Siberian provinces; and a Russian specially exempted from +obeying these words would certainly have drawn public attention +to himself--a thing above all to be avoided by the Czar's +courier. + As to the iemschik's hesitation, either the rascal traded on the +traveler's impatience or he really had good reason to fear.</p> + +<p>However, at last the tarantass started, and made such good way +that by three in the afternoon it had reached Koulatsinskoe, +fifty miles farther on. An hour after this it was on the banks of +the Irtych. Omsk was now only fourteen miles distant.</p> + +<p>The Irtych is a large river, and one of the principal of those +which flow towards the north of Asia. Rising in the Altai +Mountains, it flows from the southeast to the northwest and +empties itself into the Obi, after a course of four thousand +miles.</p> + +<p>At this time of year, when all the rivers of the Siberian +basin are much swollen, the waters of the Irtych were very +high. + In consequence the current was changed to a regular torrent, +rendering the passage difficult enough. A swimmer could not have +crossed, however powerful; and even in a ferryboat there would be +some danger.</p> + +<p>But Michael and Nadia, determined to brave all perils whatever +they might be, did not dream of shrinking from this one. + Michael proposed to his young companion that he should cross +first, embarking in the ferryboat with the tarantass and horses, +as he feared that the weight of this load would render it less +safe. + After landing the carriage he would return and fetch Nadia.</p> + +<p>The girl refused. It would be the delay of an hour, and she +would not, for her safety alone, be the cause of it.</p> + +<p>The embarkation was made not without difficulty, for the banks +were partly flooded and the boat could not get in near +enough. + However, after half an hour's exertion, the boatmen got the +tarantass and the three horses on board. The passengers embarked +also, and they shoved off.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes all went well. A little way up the river the +current was broken by a long point projecting from the bank, and +forming an eddy easily crossed by the boat. The two boatmen +propelled their barge with long poles, which they handled +cleverly; but as they gained the middle of the stream it grew +deeper and deeper, until at last they could only just reach the +bottom. + The ends of the poles were only a foot above the water, which +rendered their use difficult. Michael and Nadia, seated in the +stern of the boat, and always in dread of a delay, watched the +boatmen with some uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" cried one of them to his comrade.</p> + +<p>The shout was occasioned by the new direction the boat was +rapidly taking. It had got into the direct current and was being +swept down the river. By diligent use of the poles, putting the +ends in a series of notches cut below the gunwale, the boatmen +managed to keep the craft against the stream, and slowly urged it +in a slanting direction towards the right bank.</p> + +<p>They calculated on reaching it some five or six versts below +the landing place; but, after all, that would not matter so long +as men and beasts could disembark without accident. + The two stout boatmen, stimulated moreover by the promise of +double fare, did not doubt of succeeding in this difficult +passage of the Irtych.</p> + +<p>But they reckoned without an accident which they were +powerless to prevent, and neither their zeal nor their +skill-fulness could, under the circumstances, have done more.</p> + +<p>The boat was in the middle of the current, at nearly equal +distances from either shore, and being carried down at the rate +of two versts an hour, when Michael, springing to his feet, bent +his gaze up the river.</p> + +<p>Several boats, aided by oars as well as by the current, were +coming swiftly down upon them.</p> + +<p>Michael's brow contracted, and a cry escaped him.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked the girl.</p> + +<p>But before Michael had time to reply one of the boatmen +exclaimed in an accent of terror:</p> + +<p>"The Tartars! the Tartars!"</p> + +<p>There were indeed boats full of soldiers, and in a few minutes +they must reach the ferryboat, it being too heavily laden to +escape from them.</p> + +<p>The terrified boatmen uttered exclamations of despair and +dropped their poles.</p> + +<p>"Courage, my friends!" cried Michael; "courage! Fifty roubles +for you if we reach the right bank before the boats overtake +us."</p> + +<p>Incited by these words, the boatmen again worked manfully but +it soon become evident that they could not escape the +Tartars.</p> + +<p>It was scarcely probable that they would pass without +attacking them. + On the contrary, there was everything to be feared from robbers +such as these.</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid, Nadia," said Michael; "but be ready for +anything."</p> + +<p>"I am ready," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Even to leap into the water when I tell you?"</p> + +<p>"Whenever you tell me."</p> + +<p>"Have confidence in me, Nadia."</p> + +<p>"I have, indeed!"</p> + +<p>The Tartar boats were now only a hundred feet distant. + They carried a detachment of Bokharian soldiers, on their way to +reconnoiter around Omsk.</p> + +<p>The ferryboat was still two lengths from the shore. + The boatmen redoubled their efforts. Michael himself seized a +pole and wielded it with superhuman strength. + If he could land the tarantass and horses, and dash off with +them, there was some chance of escaping the Tartars, who were not +mounted.</p> + +<p>But all their efforts were in vain. "Saryn na kitchou!" + shouted the soldiers from the first boat.</p> + +<p>Michael recognized the Tartar war-cry, which is usually +answered by lying flat on the ground. As neither he nor the +boatmen obeyed a volley was let fly, and two of the horses were +mortally wounded.</p> + +<p>At the next moment a violent blow was felt. The boats had run +into the ferryboat.</p> + +<p>"Come, Nadia!" cried Michael, ready to jump overboard.</p> + +<p>The girl was about to follow him, when a blow from a lance +struck him, and he was thrown into the water. The current swept +him away, his hand raised for an instant above the waves, and +then he disappeared.</p> + +<p>Nadia uttered a cry, but before she had time to throw herself +after him she was seized and dragged into one of the boats. + The boatmen were killed, the ferryboat left to drift away, and +the Tartars continued to descend the Irtych.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV MOTHER AND SON</h2> + +<p>OMSK is the official capital of Western Siberia. It is not the +most important city of the government of that name, for Tomsk has +more inhabitants and is larger. But it is at Omsk that the +Governor-General of this the first half of Asiatic Russia +resides. + Omsk, properly so called, is composed of two distinct towns: one +which is exclusively inhabited by the authorities and officials; +the other more especially devoted to the Siberian merchants, +although, indeed, the trade of the town is of small +importance.</p> + +<p>This city has about 12,000 to 13,000 inhabitants. + It is defended by walls, but these are merely of earth, and +could afford only insufficient protection. The Tartars, who were +well aware of this fact, consequently tried at this period to +carry it by main force, and in this they succeeded, after an +investment of a few days.</p> + +<p>The garrison of Omsk, reduced to two thousand men, resisted +valiantly. + But driven back, little by little, from the mercantile portion +of the place, they were compelled to take refuge in the upper +town.</p> + +<p> + It was there that the Governor-General, his officers, and +soldiers had entrenched themselves. They had made the upper +quarter of Omsk a kind of citadel, and hitherto they held out +well in this species of improvised "kreml," but without much hope +of the promised succor. + The Tartar troops, who were descending the Irtych, received +every day fresh reinforcements, and, what was more serious, they +were led by an officer, a traitor to his country, but a man of +much note, and of an audacity equal to any emergency. + This man was Colonel Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff, terrible as any of the most savage Tartar +chieftains, was an educated soldier. Possessing on his mother's +side some Mongolian blood, he delighted in deceptive strategy and +ambuscades, stopping short of nothing when he desired to fathom +some secret or to set some trap. Deceitful by nature, he +willingly had recourse to the vilest trickery; lying when +occasion demanded, excelling in the adoption of all disguises and +in every species of deception. + Further, he was cruel, and had even acted as an executioner. + Feofar-Khan possessed in him a lieutenant well capable of +seconding his designs in this savage war.</p> + +<p>When Michael Strogoff arrived on the banks of the Irtych, Ivan +Ogareff was already master of Omsk, and was pressing the siege of +the upper quarter of the town all the more eagerly because he +must hasten to Tomsk, where the main body of the Tartar army was +concentrated.</p> + +<p>Tomsk, in fact, had been taken by Feofar-Khan some days +previously, and it was thence that the invaders, masters of +Central Siberia, were to march upon Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>Irkutsk was the real object of Ivan Ogareff. The plan of the +traitor was to reach the Grand Duke under a false name, to gain +his confidence, and to deliver into Tartar hands the town and the +Grand Duke himself. + With such a town, and such a hostage, all Asiatic Siberia must +necessarily fall into the hands of the invaders. Now it was known +that the Czar was acquainted with this conspiracy, and that it +was for the purpose of baffling it that a courier had been +intrusted with the important warning. + Hence, therefore, the very stringent instructions which had been +given to the young courier to pass incognito through the invaded +district.</p> + +<p>This mission he had so far faithfully performed, but now could +he carry it to a successful completion?</p> + +<p>The blow which had struck Michael Strogoff was not mortal. + By swimming in a manner by which he had effectually concealed +himself, he had reached the right bank, where he fell exhausted +among the bushes.</p> + +<p>When he recovered his senses, he found himself in the cabin of +a mujik, who had picked him up and cared for him. For how long a +time had he been the guest of this brave Siberian? He could not +guess. + But when he opened his eyes he saw the handsome bearded face +bending over him, and regarding him with pitying eyes. + "Do not speak, little father," said the mujik, "Do not +speak! + Thou art still too weak. I will tell thee where thou art and +everything that has passed."</p> + +<p>And the mujik related to Michael Strogoff the different +incidents of the struggle which he had witnessed--the attack upon +the ferry by the Tartar boats, the pillage of the tarantass, and +the massacre of the boatmen.</p> + +<p>But Michael Strogoff listened no longer, and slipping his hand +under his garment he felt the imperial letter still secured in +his breast. + He breathed a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>But that was not all. "A young girl accompanied me," said +he.</p> + +<p>"They have not killed her," replied the mujik, anticipating +the anxiety which he read in the eyes of his guest. "They have +carried her off in their boat, and have continued the descent of +Irtych. It is only one prisoner more to join the many they are +taking to Tomsk!"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was unable to reply. He pressed his hand upon +his heart to restrain its beating. But, notwithstanding these +many trials, the sentiment of duty mastered his whole soul. + "Where am I?" asked he.</p> + +<p>"Upon the right bank of the Irtych, only five versts from +Omsk," + replied the mujik.</p> + +<p>"What wound can I have received which could have thus +prostrated me? + It was not a gunshot wound?"</p> + +<p>"No; a lance-thrust in the head, now healing," replied the +mujik. + "After a few days' rest, little father, thou wilt be able to +proceed. + Thou didst fall into the river; but the Tartars neither touched +nor searched thee; and thy purse is still in thy pocket."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff gripped the mujik's hand. Then, recovering +himself with a sudden effort, "Friend," said he, "how long have I +been in thy hut?"</p> + +<p>"Three days."</p> + +<p>"Three days lost!"</p> + +<p>"Three days hast thou lain unconscious."</p> + +<p>"Hast thou a horse to sell me?"</p> + +<p>"Thou wishest to go?"</p> + +<p>"At once."</p> + +<p>"I have neither horse nor carriage, little father. + Where the Tartar has passed there remains nothing!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I will go on foot to Omsk to find a horse."</p> + +<p>"A few more hours of rest, and thou wilt be in a better +condition to pursue thy journey."</p> + +<p>"Not an hour!"</p> + +<p>"Come now," replied the mujik, recognizing the fact that it +was useless to struggle against the will of his guest, "I will +guide thee myself. + Besides," he added, "the Russians are still in great force at +Omsk, and thou couldst, perhaps, pass unperceived."</p> + +<p>"Friend," replied Michael Strogoff, "Heaven reward thee for +all thou hast done for me!"</p> + +<p>"Only fools expect reward on earth," replied the mujik.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff went out of the hut. When he tried to walk he +was seized with such faintness that, without the assistance of +the mujik, he would have fallen; but the fresh air quickly +revived him. + He then felt the wound in his head, the violence of which his +fur cap had lessened. With the energy which he possessed, he was +not a man to succumb under such a trifle. Before his eyes lay a +single goal--far-distant Irkutsk. He must reach it! + But he must pass through Omsk without stopping there.</p> + +<p>"God protect my mother and Nadia!" he murmured. "I have no +longer the right to think of them!"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff and the mujik soon arrived in the mercantile +quarter of the lower town. The surrounding earthwork had been +destroyed in many places, and there were the breaches through +which the marauders who followed the armies of Feofar-Khan had +penetrated. + Within Omsk, in its streets and squares, the Tartar soldiers +swarmed like ants; but it was easy to see that a hand of iron +imposed upon them a discipline to which they were little +accustomed. + They walked nowhere alone, but in armed groups, to defend +themselves against surprise.</p> + +<p>In the chief square, transformed into a camp, guarded by many +sentries, 2,000 Tartars bivouacked. The horses, picketed but +still saddled, were ready to start at the first order. Omsk could +only be a temporary halting-place for this Tartar cavalry, which +preferred the rich plains of Eastern Siberia, where the towns +were more wealthy, and, consequently, pillage more +profitable.</p> + +<p>Above the mercantile town rose the upper quarter, which Ivan +Ogareff, notwithstanding several assaults vigorously made but +bravely repelled, had not yet been able to reduce. Upon its +embattled walls floated the national colors of Russia.</p> + +<p>It was not without a legitimate pride that Michael Strogoff +and his guide, vowing fidelity, saluted them.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was perfectly acquainted with the town of +Omsk, and he took care to avoid those streets which were much +frequented. + This was not from any fear of being recognized. In the town his +old mother only could have called him by name, but he had sworn +not to see her, and he did not. Besides--and he wished it with +his whole heart-- she might have fled into some quiet portion of +the steppe.</p> + +<p>The mujik very fortunately knew a postmaster who, if well +paid, would not refuse at his request either to let or to sell a +carriage or horses. + There remained the difficulty of leaving the town, but the +breaches in the fortifications would, of course, facilitate his +departure.</p> + +<p>The mujik was accordingly conducting his guest straight to the +posting-house, when, in a narrow street, Michael Strogoff, coming +to a sudden stop sprang behind a jutting wall.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked the astonished mujik.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" replied Michael, with his finger on his lips. + At this moment a detachment debouched from the principal square +into the street which Michael Strogoff and his companion had just +been following.</p> + +<p>At the head of the detachment, composed of twenty horsemen, +was an officer dressed in a very simple uniform. + Although he glanced rapidly from one side to the other he could +not have seen Michael Strogoff, owing to his precipitous +retreat.</p> + +<p>The detachment went at full trot into the narrow street. +Neither the officer nor his escort concerned themselves about the +inhabitants. + Several unlucky ones had scarcely time to make way for their +passage. + There were a few half-stifled cries, to which thrusts of the +lance gave an instant reply, and the street was immediately +cleared.</p> + +<p>When the escort had disappeared, "Who is that officer?" + asked Michael Strogoff. And while putting the question his face +was pale as that of a corpse.</p> + +<p>"It is Ivan Ogareff," replied the Siberian, in a deep voice +which breathed hatred.</p> + +<p>"He!" cried Michael Strogoff, from whom the word escaped with +a fury he could not conquer. He had just recognized in this +officer the traveler who had struck him at the posting-house of +Ichim. And, although he had only caught a glimpse of him, it +burst upon his mind, at the same time, that this traveler was the +old Zingari whose words he had overheard in the market place of +Nijni-Novgorod.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was not mistaken. The two men were one and +the same. + It was under the garb of a Zingari, mingling with the band of +Sangarre, that Ivan Ogareff had been able to leave the town of +Nijni-Novgorod, where he had gone to seek his confidants. +Sangarre and her Zingari, well paid spies, were absolutely +devoted to him. It was he who, during the night, on the +fair-ground had uttered that singular sentence, which Michael +Strogoff could not understand; it was he who was voyaging on +board the Caucasus, with the whole of the Bohemian band; it was +he who, by this other route, from Kasan to Ichim, across the +Urals, had reached Omsk, where now he held supreme authority.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff had been barely three days at Omsk, and had it +not been for their fatal meeting at Ichim, and for the event +which had detained him three days on the banks of the Irtych, +Michael Strogoff would have evidently beaten him on the way to +Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>And who knows how many misfortunes would have been avoided in +the future! + In any case--and now more than ever--Michael Strogoff must avoid +Ivan Ogareff, and contrive not to be seen. When the moment of +encountering him face to face should arrive, he knew how to meet +it, even should the traitor be master of the whole of +Siberia.</p> + +<p>The mujik and Michael resumed their way and arrived at the +posting-house. To leave Omsk by one of the breaches would not be +difficult after nightfall. As for purchasing a carriage to +replace the tarantass, that was impossible. + There were none to be let or sold. But what want had Michael +Strogoff now for a carriage? Was he not alone, alas? A horse +would suffice him; and, very fortunately, a horse could be +had. + It was an animal of strength and mettle, and Michael Strogoff, +accomplished horseman as he was, could make good use of it.</p> + +<p>It was four o'clock in the afternoon. Michael Strogoff, +compelled to wait till nightfall, in order to pass the +fortifications, but not desiring to show himself, remained in the +posting-house, and there partook of food.</p> + +<p>There was a great crowd in the public room. They were talking +of the expected arrival of a corps of Muscovite troops, not at +Omsk, but at Tomsk--a corps intended to recapture that town from +the Tartars of Feofar-Khan.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff lent an attentive ear, but took no part in +the conversation. Suddenly a cry made him tremble, a cry which +penetrated to the depths of his soul, and these two words rushed +into his ear: "My son!"</p> + +<p>His mother, the old woman Marfa, was before him! Trembling, +she smiled upon him. She stretched forth her arms to him. Michael +Strogoff arose. + He was about to throw himself--</p> + +<p>The thought of duty, the serious danger for his mother and +himself in this unfortunate meeting, suddenly stopped him, and +such was his command over himself that not a muscle of his face +moved. There were twenty people in the public room. + Among them were, perhaps, spies, and was it not known in the +town that the son of Marfa Strogoff belonged to the corps of the +couriers of the Czar?</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff did not move.</p> + +<p>"Michael!" cried his mother.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, my good lady?" Michael Strogoff stammered, +unable to speak in his usual firm tone.</p> + +<p>"Who am I, thou askest! Dost thou no longer know thy +mother?"</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken," coldly replied Michael Strogoff. "A +resemblance deceives you."</p> + +<p>The old Marfa went up to him, and, looking straight into his +eyes, said, "Thou art not the son of Peter and Marfa +Strogoff?"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff would have given his life to have locked his +mother in his arms; but if he yielded it was all over with him, +with her, with his mission, with his oath! + Completely master of himself, he closed his eyes, in order not +to see the inexpressible anguish which agitated the revered +countenance of his mother. He drew back his hands, in order not +to touch those trembling hands which sought him. + "I do not know in truth what it is you say, my good woman," + he replied, stepping back.</p> + +<p>"Michael!" again cried his aged mother.</p> + +<p>"My name is not Michael. I never was your son! I am Nicholas +Korpanoff, a merchant at Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>And suddenly he left the public room, whilst for the last time +the words re-echoed, "My son! my son!"</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, by a desperate effort, had gone. He did not +see his old mother, who had fallen back almost inanimate upon a +bench. + But when the postmaster hastened to assist her, the aged woman +raised herself. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. + She denied by her son! It was not possible. As for being herself +deceived, and taking another for him, equally impossible. + It was certainly her son whom she had just seen; and if he had +not recognized her it was because he would not, it was because he +ought not, it was because he had some cogent reasons for acting +thus! + And then, her mother's feelings arising within her, she had only +one thought--"Can I, unwittingly, have ruined him?"</p> + +<p>"I am mad," she said to her interrogators. "My eyes have +deceived me! + This young man is not my child. He had not his voice. Let us +think no more of it; if we do I shall end by finding him +everywhere."</p> + +<p>Less than ten minutes afterwards a Tartar officer appeared in +the posting-house. "Marfa Strogoff?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It is I," replied the old woman, in a tone so calm, and with +a face so tranquil, that those who had witnessed the meeting with +her son would not have known her.</p> + +<p>"Come," said the officer,</p> + +<p>Marfa Strogoff, with firm step, followed the Tartar. Some +moments afterwards she found herself in the chief square in the +presence of Ivan Ogareff, to whom all the details of this scene +had been immediately reported.</p> + +<p>Ogareff, suspecting the truth, interrogated the old Siberian +woman. + "Thy name?" he asked in a rough voice.</p> + +<p>"Marfa Strogoff."</p> + +<p>"Thou hast a son?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"He is a courier of the Czar?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"At Moscow."</p> + +<p>"Thou hast no news of him?"</p> + +<p>"No news."</p> + +<p>"Since how long?"</p> + +<p>"Since two months."</p> + +<p>"Who, then, was that young man whom thou didst call thy son a +few moments ago at the posting-house?"</p> + +<p>"A young Siberian whom I took for him," replied Marfa +Strogoff. "This is the tenth man in whom I have thought I +recognized my son since the town has been so full of strangers. I +think I see him everywhere."</p> + +<p>"So this young man was not Michael Strogoff?"</p> + +<p>"It was not Michael Strogoff."</p> + +<p>"Dost thou know, old woman, that I can torture thee until thou +avowest the truth?"</p> + +<p>"I have spoken the truth, and torture will not cause me to +alter my words in any way."</p> + +<p>"This Siberian was not Michael Strogoff?" asked a second time +Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"No, it was not he," replied a second time Marfa Strogoff. "Do +you think that for anything in the world I would deny a son whom +God has given me?"</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff regarded with an evil eye the old woman who +braved him to the face. He did not doubt but that she had +recognized her son in this young Siberian. Now if this son had +first renounced his mother, and if his mother renounced him in +her turn, it could occur only from the most weighty motive. +Ogareff had therefore no doubt that the pretended Nicholas +Korpanoff was Michael Strogoff, courier of the Czar, seeking +concealment under a false name, and charged with some mission +which it would have been important for him to know. He therefore +at once gave orders for his pursuit. + Then "Let this woman be conducted to Tomsk," he said.</p> + +<p>While the soldiers brutally dragged her off, he added between +his teeth, "When the moment arrives I shall know how to make her +speak, this old sorceress!"</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XV THE MARSHES OF THE BARABA</h2> + +<p>IT was fortunate that Michael Strogoff had left the +posting-house so promptly. The orders of Ivan Ogareff had been +immediately transmitted to all the approaches of the city, and a +full description of Michael sent to all the various commandants, +in order to prevent his departure from Omsk. But he had already +passed through one of the breaches in the wall; his horse was +galloping over the steppe, and the chances of escape were in his +favor.</p> + +<p>It was on the 29th of July, at eight o'clock in the evening, +that Michael Strogoff had left Omsk. This town is situated about +halfway between Moscow and Irkutsk, where it was necessary that +he should arrive within ten days if he wished to get ahead of the +Tartar columns. + It was evident that the unlucky chance which had brought him +into the presence of his mother had betrayed his incognito. + Ivan Ogareff was no longer ignorant of the fact that a courier +of the Czar had just passed Omsk, taking the direction of +Irkutsk. The dispatches which this courier bore must have been of +immense importance. + Michael Strogoff knew, therefore, that every effort would be +made to capture him.</p> + +<p> + But what he did not know, and could not know, was that Marfa +Strogoff was in the hands of Ivan Ogareff, and that she was about +to atone, perhaps with her life, for that natural exhibition of +her feelings which she had been unable to restrain when she +suddenly found herself in the presence of her son. And it was +fortunate that he was ignorant of it. + Could he have withstood this fresh trial?</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff urged on his horse, imbuing him with all his +own feverish impatience, requiring of him one thing only, namely, +to bear him rapidly to the next posting-house, where he could be +exchanged for a quicker conveyance.</p> + +<p>At midnight he had cleared fifty miles, and halted at the +station of Koulikovo. But there, as he had feared, he found +neither horses nor carriages. Several Tartar detachments had +passed along the highway of the steppe. Everything had been +stolen or requisitioned both in the villages and in the +posting-houses. + It was with difficulty that Michael Strogoff was even able to +obtain some refreshment for his horse and himself.</p> + +<p>It was of great importance, therefore, to spare his horse, for +he could not tell when or how he might be able to replace it. +Desiring, however, to put the greatest possible distance between +himself and the horsemen who had no doubt been dispatched in +pursuit, he resolved to push on. + After one hour's rest he resumed his course across the +steppe.</p> + +<p>Hitherto the weather had been propitious for his journey. + The temperature was endurable. The nights at this time of the +year are very short, and as they are lighted by the moon, the +route over the steppe is practicable. Michael Strogoff, moreover, +was a man certain of his road and devoid of doubt or hesitation, +and in spite of the melancholy thoughts which possessed him he +had preserved his clearness of mind, and made for his destined +point as though it were visible upon the horizon. + When he did halt for a moment at some turn in the road it was to +breathe his horse. Now he would dismount to ease his steed for a +moment, and again he would place his ear to the ground to listen +for the sound of galloping horses upon the steppe. + Nothing arousing his suspicions, he resumed his way.</p> + +<p>On the 30th of July, at nine o'clock in the morning, Michael +Strogoff passed through the station of Touroumoff and entered the +swampy district of the Baraba.</p> + +<p>There, for a distance of three hundred versts, the natural +obstacles would be extremely great. He knew this, but he also +knew that he would certainly surmount them.</p> + +<p>These vast marshes of the Baraba, form the reservoir to all +the rain-water which finds no outlet either towards the Obi or +towards the Irtych. The soil of this vast depression is entirely +argillaceous, and therefore impermeable, so that the waters +remain there and make of it a region very difficult to cross +during the hot season. There, however, lies the way to Irkutsk, +and it is in the midst of ponds, pools, lakes, and swamps, from +which the sun draws poisonous exhalations, that the road winds, +and entails upon the traveler the greatest fatigue and +danger.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff spurred his horse into the midst of a grassy +prairie, differing greatly from the close-cropped sod of the +steppe, where feed the immense Siberian herds. The grass here was +five or six feet in height, and had made room for swamp-plants, +to which the dampness of the place, assisted by the heat of +summer, had given giant proportions. + These were principally canes and rushes, which formed a tangled +network, an impenetrable undergrowth, sprinkled everywhere with a +thousand flowers remarkable for the brightness of their +color.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, galloping amongst this undergrowth of cane, +was no longer visible from the swamps which bordered the +road. + The tall grass rose above him, and his track was indicated only +by the flight of innumerable aquatic birds, which rose from the +side of the road and dispersed into the air in screaming +flocks.</p> + +<p>The way, however, was clearly traceable. Now it would lie +straight between the dense thicket of marsh-plants; again it +would follow the winding shores of vast pools, some of which, +several versts in length and breadth, deserve the name of +lakes. + In other localities the stagnant waters through which the road +lay had been avoided, not by bridges, but by tottering platforms +ballasted with thick layers of clay, whose joists shook like a +too weak plank thrown across an abyss. + Some of these platforms extended over three hundred feet, and +travelers by tarantass, when crossing them have experienced a +nausea like sea-sickness.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, whether the soil beneath his feet was solid +or whether it sank under him, galloped on without halt, leaping +the space between the rotten joists; but however fast they +traveled the horse and the horseman were unable to escape from +the sting of the two-winged insects which infest this marshy +country.</p> + +<p>Travelers who are obliged to cross the Baraba during the +summer take care to provide themselves with masks of horse-hair, +to which is attached a coat of mail of very fine wire, which +covers their shoulders. Notwithstanding these precautions, there +are few who come out of these marshes without having their faces, +necks, and hands covered with red spots. + The atmosphere there seems to bristle with fine needles, and one +would almost say that a knight's armor would not protect him +against the darts of these dipterals. It is a dreary region, +which man dearly disputes with tipulae, gnats, mosquitos, +horse-flies, and millions of microscopic insects which are not +visible to the naked eye; but, although they are not seen, they +make themselves felt by their intolerable stinging, to which the +most callous Siberian hunters have never been able to inure +themselves.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff's horse, stung by these venomous insects, +sprang forward as if the rowels of a thousand spurs had pierced +his flanks. + Mad with rage, he tore along over verst after verst with the +speed of an express train, lashing his sides with his tail, +seeking by the rapidity of his pace an alleviation of his +torture.</p> + +<p>It required as good a horseman as Michael Strogoff not to be +thrown by the plungings of his horse, and the sudden stops and +bounds which he made to escape from the stings of his +persecutors. + Having become insensible, so to speak, to physical suffering, +possessed only with the one desire to arrive at his destination +at whatever cost, he saw during this mad race only one thing-- +that the road flew rapidly behind him.</p> + +<p>Who would have thought that this district of the Baraba, so +unhealthy during the summer, could have afforded an asylum for +human beings? + Yet it did so. Several Siberian hamlets appeared from time to +time among the giant canes. Men, women, children, and old men, +clad in the skins of beasts, their faces covered with hardened +blisters of skin, pastured their poor herds of sheep. + In order to preserve the animals from the attack of the insects, +they drove them to the leeward of fires of green wood, which were +kept burning night and day, and the pungent smoke of which +floated over the vast swamp.</p> + +<p>When Michael Strogoff perceived that his horse, tired out, was +on the point of succumbing, he halted at one of these wretched +hamlets, and there, forgetting his own fatigue, he himself rubbed +the wounds of the poor animal with hot grease according to the +Siberian custom; then he gave him a good feed; and it was only +after he had well groomed and provided for him that he thought of +himself, and recruited his strength by a hasty meal of bread and +meat and a glass of kwass. + One hour afterwards, or at the most two, he resumed with all +speed the interminable road to Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>On the 30th of July, at four o'clock in the afternoon, Michael +Strogoff, insensible of every fatigue, arrived at Elamsk. There +it became necessary to give a night's rest to his horse. + The brave animal could no longer have continued the journey. + At Elamsk, as indeed elsewhere, there existed no means of +transport,-- for the same reasons as at the previous villages, +neither carriages nor horses were to be had.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff resigned himself therefore to pass the night +at Elamsk, to give his horse twelve hours' rest. He recalled the +instructions which had been given to him at Moscow--to cross +Siberia incognito, to arrive at Irkutsk, but not to sacrifice +success to the rapidity of the journey; and consequently it was +necessary that he should husband the sole means of transport +which remained to him.</p> + +<p>On the morrow, Michael Strogoff left Elamsk at the moment when +the first Tartar scouts were signaled ten versts behind upon the +road to the Baraba, and he plunged again into the swampy +region. + The road was level, which made it easy, but very tortuous, and +therefore long. It was impossible, moreover, to leave it, and to +strike a straight line across that impassable network of pools +and bogs.</p> + +<p>On the next day, the 1st of August, eighty miles farther, +Michael Strogoff arrived at midday at the town of Spaskoe, and at +two o'clock he halted at Pokrowskoe. His horse, jaded since his +departure from Elamsk, could not have taken a single step +more.</p> + +<p>There Michael Strogoff was again compelled to lose, for +necessary rest, the end of that day and the entire night; but +starting again on the following morning, and still traversing the +semi-inundated soil, on the 2nd of August, at four o'clock in the +afternoon, after a stage of fifty miles he reached Kamsk.</p> + +<p>The country had changed. This little village of Kamsk lies, +like an island, habitable and healthy, in the midst of the +uninhabitable district. It is situated in the very center of the +Baraba. The emigration caused by the Tartar invasion had not yet +depopulated this little town of Kamsk. Its inhabitants probably +fancied themselves safe in the center of the Baraba, whence at +least they thought they would have time to flee if they were +directly menaced.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, although exceedingly anxious for news, could +ascertain nothing at this place. It would have been rather to him +that the Governor would have addressed himself had he known who +the pretended merchant of Irkutsk really was. + Kamsk, in fact, by its very situation seemed to be outside the +Siberian world and the grave events which troubled it.</p> + +<p>Besides, Michael Strogoff showed himself little, if at +all. + To be unperceived was not now enough for him: he would have +wished to be invisible. The experience of the past made him more +and more circumspect in the present and the future. + Therefore he secluded himself, and not caring to traverse the +streets of the village, he would not even leave the inn at which +he had halted.</p> + +<p>As for his horse, he did not even think of exchanging him for +another animal. He had become accustomed to this brave +creature. + He knew to what extent he could rely upon him. In buying him at +Omsk he had been lucky, and in taking him to the postmaster the +generous mujik had rendered him a great service. Besides, if +Michael Strogoff had already become attached to his horse, the +horse himself seemed to become inured, by degrees, to the fatigue +of such a journey, and provided that he got several hours of +repose daily, his rider might hope that he would carry him beyond +the invaded provinces.</p> + +<p>So, during the evening and night of the 2nd of August, Michael +Strogoff remained confined to his inn, at the entrance of the +town; which was little frequented and out of the way of the +importunate and curious.</p> + +<p>Exhausted with fatigue, he went to bed after having seen that +his horse lacked nothing; but his sleep was broken. What he had +seen since his departure from Moscow showed him the importance of +his mission. + The rising was an extremely serious one, and the treachery of +Ogareff made it still more formidable. And when his eyes fell +upon the letter bearing upon it the authority of the imperial +seal-- the letter which, no doubt, contained the remedy for so +many evils, the safety of all this war-ravaged country--Michael +Strogoff felt within himself a fierce desire to dash on across +the steppe, to accomplish the distance which separated him from +Irkutsk as the crow would fly it, to be an eagle that he might +overtop all obstacles, to be a hurricane that he might sweep +through the air at a hundred versts an hour, and to be at last +face to face with the Grand Duke, and to exclaim: "Your highness, +from his Majesty the Czar!"</p> + +<p>On the next morning at six o'clock, Michael Strogoff started +off again. + Thanks to his extreme prudence this part of the journey was +signalized by no incident whatever. At Oubinsk he gave his horse +a whole night's rest, for he wished on the next day to accomplish +the hundred versts which lie between Oubinsk and Ikoulskoe +without halting. + He started therefore at dawn; but unfortunately the Baraba +proved more detestable than ever.</p> + +<p>In fact, between Oubinsk and Kamakore the very heavy rains of +some previous weeks were retained by this shallow depression as +in a water-tight bowl. There was, for a long distance, no break +in the succession of swamps, pools, and lakes. One of these +lakes-- large enough to warrant its geographical +nomenclature--Tchang, Chinese in name, had to be coasted for more +than twenty versts, and this with the greatest difficulty. Hence +certain delays occurred, which all the impatience of Michael +Strogoff could not avoid. + He had been well advised in not taking a carriage at Kamsk, for +his horse passed places which would have been impracticable for a +conveyance on wheels.</p> + +<p>In the evening, at nine o'clock, Michael Strogoff arrived at +Ikoulskoe, and halted there over night. In this remote village of +the Baraba news of the war was utterly wanting. + From its situation, this part of the province, lying in the fork +formed by the two Tartar columns which had bifurcated, one upon +Omsk and the other upon Tomsk, had hitherto escaped the horrors +of the invasion.</p> + +<p>But the natural obstacles were now about to disappear, for, if +he experienced no delay, Michael Strogoff should on the morrow be +free of the Baraba and arrive at Kolyvan. There he would be +within eighty miles of Tomsk. He would then be guided by +circumstances, and very probably he would decide to go around +Tomsk, which, if the news were true, was occupied by +Feofar-Khan.</p> + +<p>But if the small towns of Ikoulskoe and Karguinsk, which he +passed on the next day, were comparatively quiet, owing to their +position in the Baraba, was it not to be dreaded that, upon the +right banks of the Obi, Michael Strogoff would have much more to +fear from man? It was probable. However, should it become +necessary, he would not hesitate to abandon the beaten path to +Irkutsk. To journey then across the steppe he would, no doubt, +run the risk of finding himself without supplies. + There would be, in fact, no longer a well-marked road. + Still, there must be no hesitation.</p> + +<p>Finally, towards half past three in the afternoon, Michael +Strogoff left the last depressions of the Baraba, and the dry and +hard soil of Siberia rang out once more beneath his horse's +hoofs.</p> + +<p>He had left Moscow on the 15th of July. Therefore on this day, +the 5th of August, including more than seventy hours lost on the +banks of the Irtych, twenty days had gone by since his +departure.</p> + +<p>One thousand miles still separated him from Irkutsk.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI A FINAL EFFORT</h2> + +<p>MICHAEL'S fear of meeting the Tartars in the plains beyond the +Baraba was by no means ungrounded. The fields, trodden down by +horses' hoofs, afforded but too clear evidence that their hordes +had passed that way; the same, indeed, might be said of these +barbarians as of the Turks: "Where the Turk goes, no grass +grows."</p> + +<p>Michael saw at once that in traversing this country the +greatest caution was necessary. Wreaths of smoke curling upwards +on the horizon showed that huts and hamlets were still +burning. + Had these been fired by the advance guard, or had the Emir's +army already advanced beyond the boundaries of the province? + Was Feofar-Khan himself in the government of Yeniseisk? Michael +could settle on no line of action until these questions were +answered. + Was the country so deserted that he could not discover a single +Siberian to enlighten him?</p> + +<p>Michael rode on for two versts without meeting a human +being. + He looked carefully for some house which had not been +deserted. + Every one was tenantless.</p> + +<p> + One hut, however, which he could just see between the trees, was +still smoking. As he approached he perceived, at some yards from +the ruins of the building, an old man surrounded by weeping +children. + A woman still young, evidently his daughter and the mother of +the poor children, kneeling on the ground, was gazing on the +scene of desolation. She had at her breast a baby but a few +months old; shortly she would have not even that nourishment to +give it. + Ruin and desolation were all around!</p> + +<p>Michael approached the old man.</p> + +<p>"Will you answer me a few questions?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Speak," replied the old man.</p> + +<p>"Have the Tartars passed this way?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for my house is in flames."</p> + +<p>"Was it an army or a detachment?"</p> + +<p>"An army, for, as far as eye can reach, our fields are laid +waste."</p> + +<p>"Commanded by the Emir?"</p> + +<p>"By the Emir; for the Obi's waters are red."</p> + +<p>"Has Feofar-Khan entered Tomsk?"</p> + +<p>"He has."</p> + +<p>"Do you know if his men have entered Kolyvan?"</p> + +<p>"No; for Kolyvan does not yet burn."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, friend. Can I aid you and yours?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"Good-by."</p> + +<p>"Farewell."</p> + +<p>And Michael, having presented five and twenty roubles to the +unfortunate woman, who had not even strength to thank him, put +spurs to his horse once more.</p> + +<p>One thing he knew; he must not pass through Tomsk. To go to +Kolyvan, which the Tartars had not yet reached, was possible. +Yes, that is what he must do; there he must prepare himself for +another long stage. + There was nothing for it but, having crossed the Obi, to take +the Irkutsk road and avoid Tomsk.</p> + +<p>This new route decided on, Michael must not delay an +instant. + Nor did he, but, putting his horse into a steady gallop, he took +the road towards the left bank of the Obi, which was still forty +versts distant. + Would there be a ferry boat there, or should he, finding that +the Tartars had destroyed all the boats, be obliged to swim +across?</p> + +<p>As to his horse, it was by this time pretty well worn out, and +Michael intended to make it perform this stage only, and then to +exchange it for a fresh one at Kolyvan. Kolyvan would be like a +fresh starting point, for on leaving that town his journey would +take a new form. + So long as he traversed a devastated country the difficulties +must be very great; but if, having avoided Tomsk, he could +r‚sum‚ the road to Irkutsk across the province of +Yeniseisk, which was not yet laid waste, he would finish his +journey in a few days.</p> + +<p>Night came on, bringing with it refreshing coolness after the +heat of the day. At midnight the steppe was profoundly dark. + The sound of the horses's hoofs alone was heard on the road, +except when, every now and then, its master spoke a few +encouraging words. + In such darkness as this great care was necessary lest he should +leave the road, bordered by pools and streams, tributaries of the +Obi. Michael therefore advanced as quickly as was consistent with +safety. He trusted no less to the excellence of his eyes, which +penetrated the gloom, than to the well-proved sagacity of his +horse.</p> + +<p>Just as Michael dismounted to discover the exact direction of +the road, he heard a confused murmuring sound from the west. It +was like the noise of horses' hoofs at some distance on the +parched ground. + Michael listened attentively, putting his ear to the ground.</p> + +<p>"It is a detachment of cavalry coming by the road from +Omsk," + he said to himself. "They are marching very quickly, for the +noise is increasing. Are they Russians or Tartars?"</p> + +<p>Michael again listened. "Yes," said he, "they are at a sharp +trot. + My horse cannot outstrip them. If they are Russians I will join +them; if Tartars I must avoid them. But how? Where can I hide in +this steppe?"</p> + +<p>He gave a look around, and, through the darkness, discovered a +confused mass at a hundred paces before him on the left of the +road. + "There is a copse!" he exclaimed. "To take refuge there is to +run the risk of being caught, if they are in search of me; but I +have no choice."</p> + +<p>In a few moments Michael, dragging his horse by the bridle, +reached a little larch wood, through which the road lay. + Beyond this it was destitute of trees, and wound among bogs and +pools, separated by dwarfed bushes, whins, and heather. + The ground on either side was quite impracticable, and the +detachment must necessarily pass through the wood. + They were pursuing the high road to Irkutsk. Plunging in about +forty feet, he was stopped by a stream running under the +brushwood. + But the shadow was so deep that Michael ran no risk of being +seen, unless the wood should be carefully searched. + He therefore led his horse to the stream and fastened him to a +tree, returning to the edge of the road to listen and ascertain +with what sort of people he had to do.</p> + +<p>Michael had scarcely taken up his position behind a group of +larches when a confused light appeared, above which glared +brighter lights waving about in the shadow.</p> + +<p>"Torches!" said he to himself. And he drew quickly back, +gliding like a savage into the thickest underwood.</p> + +<p>As they approached the wood the horses' pace was +slackened. + The horsemen were probably lighting up the road with the +intention of examining every turn.</p> + +<p>Michael feared this, and instinctively drew near to the bank +of the stream, ready to plunge in if necessary.</p> + +<p>Arrived at the top of the wood, the detachment halted. + The horsemen dismounted. There were about fifty. + A dozen of them carried torches, lighting up the road.</p> + +<p>By watching their preparations Michael found to his joy that +the detachment were not thinking of visiting the copse, but only +bivouacking near, to rest their horses and allow the men to take +some refreshment. The horses were soon unsaddled, and began to +graze on the thick grass which carpeted the ground. + The men meantime stretched themselves by the side of the road, +and partook of the provisions they produced from their +knapsacks.</p> + +<p>Michael's self-possession had never deserted him, and creeping +amongst the high grass he endeavored not only to examine the +new-comers, but to hear what they said. It was a detachment from +Omsk, composed of Usbeck horsemen, a race of the Mongolian +type. + These men, well built, above the medium height, rough, and +wild-featured, wore on their heads the "talpak," or black +sheep-skin cap, and on their feet yellow high-heeled boots with +turned-up toes, like the shoes of the Middle Ages. Their tunics +were close-fitting, and confined at the waist by a leathern belt +braided with red. + They were armed defensively with a shield, and offensively with +a curved sword, and a flintlock musket slung at the saddle-bow. +From their shoulders hung gay-colored cloaks.</p> + +<p>The horses, which were feeding at liberty at the edge of the +wood, were, like their masters, of the Usbeck race. + These animals are rather smaller than the Turcomanian horses, +but are possessed of remarkable strength, and know no other pace +than the gallop.</p> + +<p>This detachment was commanded by a "pendja-baschi"; that is to +say, a commander of fifty men, having under him a +"deh-baschi," + or simple commander of ten men. These two officers wore helmets +and half coats-of-mail; little trumpets fastened to their +saddle-bows were the distinctive signs of their rank.</p> + +<p>The pendja-baschi had been obliged to let his men rest, +fatigued with a long stage. He and the second officer, smoking +"beng," the leaf which forms the base of the "has-chisch," + strolled up and down the wood, so that Michael Strogoff without +being seen, could catch and understand their conversation, which +was spoken in the Tartar language.</p> + +<p>Michael's attention was singularly excited by their very first +words. + It was of him they were speaking.</p> + +<p>"This courier cannot be much in advance of us," said the +pendja-baschi; "and, on the other hand, it is absolutely +impossible that he can have followed any other route than that of +the Baraba."</p> + +<p>"Who knows if he has left Omsk?" replied the deh-baschi. +"Perhaps he is still hidden in the town."</p> + +<p>"That is to be wished, certainly. Colonel Ogareff would have +no fear then that the dispatches he bears should ever reach their +destination."</p> + +<p>"They say that he is a native, a Siberian," resumed the +deh-baschi. + "If so, he must be well acquainted with the country, and it is +possible that he has left the Irkutsk road, depending on +rejoining it later."</p> + +<p>"But then we should be in advance of him," answered the +pendja-baschi; "for we left Omsk within an hour after his +departure, and have since followed the shortest road with all the +speed of our horses. + He has either remained in Omsk, or we shall arrive at Tomsk +before him, so as to cut him off; in either case he will not +reach Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"A rugged woman, that old Siberian, who is evidently his +mother," + said the deh-baschi.</p> + +<p>At this remark Michael's heart beat violently.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered the pendja-baschi. "She stuck to it well that +the pretended merchant was not her son, but it was too late. + Colonel Ogareff was not to be taken in; and, as he said, he will +know how to make the old witch speak when the time comes."</p> + +<p>These words were so many dagger-thrusts for Michael. He was +known to be a courier of the Czar! A detachment of horsemen on +his track could not fail to cut him off. And, worst of all, his +mother was in the hands of the Tartars, and the cruel Ogareff had +undertaken to make her speak when he wished!</p> + +<p>Michael well knew that the brave Siberian would sacrifice her +life for him. He had fancied that he could not hate Ivan Ogareff +more, yet a fresh tide of hate now rose in his heart. The wretch +who had betrayed his country now threatened to torture his +mother.</p> + +<p>The conversation between the two officers continued, and +Michael understood that an engagement was imminent in the +neighborhood of Kolyvan, between the Muscovite troops coming from +the north and the Tartars. A small Russian force of two thousand +men, reported to have reached the lower course of the Obi, were +advancing by forced marches towards Tomsk. If such was the case, +this force, which would soon find itself engaged with the main +body of Feofar-Khan's army, would be inevitably overwhelmed, and +the Irkutsk road would be in the entire possession of the +invaders.</p> + +<p>As to himself, Michael learnt, by some words from the +pendja-baschi, that a price was set on his head, and that orders +had been given to take him, dead or alive.</p> + +<p>It was necessary, therefore, to get the start of the Usbeck +horsemen on the Irkutsk road, and put the Obi between himself and +them. + But to do that, he must escape before the camp was broken +up.</p> + +<p>His determination taken, Michael prepared to execute it.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the halt would not be prolonged, and the pendja-baschi +did not intend to give his men more than an hour's rest, although +their horses could not have been changed for fresh ones since +Omsk, and must be as much fatigued as that of Michael +Strogoff.</p> + +<p>There was not a moment to lose. It was within an hour of +morning. + It was needful to profit by the darkness to leave the little +wood and dash along the road; but although night favored it the +success of such a flight appeared to be almost impossible.</p> + +<p>Not wishing to do anything at random, Michael took time for +reflection, carefully weighing the chances so as to take the +best. + From the situation of the place the result was this-- that he +could not escape through the back of the wood, the stream which +bordered it being not only deep, but very wide and muddy. + Beneath this thick water was a slimy bog, on which the foot +could not rest. There was only one way open, the high-road. To +endeavor to reach it by creeping round the edge of the wood, +without attracting attention, and then to gallop at headlong +speed, required all the remaining strength and energy of his +noble steed. + Too probably it would fall dead on reaching the banks of the +Obi, when, either by boat or by swimming, he must cross this +important river. + This was what Michael had before him.</p> + +<p>His energy and courage increased in sight of danger.</p> + +<p>His life, his mission, his country, perhaps the safety of his +mother, were at stake. He could not hesitate.</p> + +<p>There was not a moment to be lost. Already there was a slight +movement among the men of the detachment. A few horsemen were +strolling up and down the road in front of the wood. + The rest were still lying at the foot of the trees, but their +horses were gradually penetrating towards the center of the +wood.</p> + +<p>Michael had at first thought of seizing one of these horses, +but he recollected that, of course, they would be as fatigued as +his own. It was better to trust to his own brave steed, which had +already rendered him such important service. + The good animal, hidden behind a thicket, had escaped the sight +of the Usbecks. They, besides, had not penetrated so far into the +wood.</p> + +<p>Michael crawled up to his horse through the grass, and found +him lying down. He patted and spoke gently to him, and managed to +raise him without noise. Fortunately, the torches were entirely +consumed, and now went out, the darkness being still profound +under shelter of the larches. After replacing the bit, Michael +looked to his girths and stirrups, and began to lead his horse +quietly away. + The intelligent animal followed his master without even making +the least neigh.</p> + +<p>A few Usbeck horses raised their heads, and began to wander +towards the edge of the wood. Michael held his revolver in his +hand, ready to blow out the brains of the first Tartar who should +approach him. + But happily the alarm was not given, and he was able to gain the +angle made by the wood where it joined the road.</p> + +<p>To avoid being seen, Michael's intention was not to mount +until after turning a corner some two hundred feet from the +wood. + Unfortunately, just at the moment that he was issuing from the +wood, an Usbeck's horse, scenting him, neighed and began to trot +along the road. His master ran to catch him, and seeing a shadowy +form moving in the dim light, "Look out!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>At the cry, all the men of the bivouac jumped up, and ran to +seize their horses. Michael leaped on his steed, and galloped +away. + The two officers of the detachment urged on their men to +follow.</p> + +<p>Michael heard a report, and felt a ball pass through his +tunic. + Without turning his head, without replying, he spurred on, and, +clearing the brushwood with a tremendous bound, he galloped at +full speed toward the Obi.</p> + +<p>The Usbecks' horses being unsaddled gave him a small start, +but in less than two minutes he heard the tramp of several horses +gradually gaining on him.</p> + +<p>Day was now beginning to break, and objects at some distance +were becoming visible. Michael turned his head, and perceived a +horseman rapidly approaching him. It was the deh-baschi. Being +better mounted, this officer had distanced his detachment.</p> + +<p>Without drawing rein, Michael extended his revolver, and took +a moment's aim. The Usbeck officer, hit in the breast, rolled on +the ground.</p> + +<p>But the other horsemen followed him closely, and without +waiting to assist the deh-baschi, exciting each other by their +shouts, digging their spurs into their horses' sides, they +gradually diminished the distance between themselves and +Michael.</p> + +<p>For half an hour only was the latter able to keep out of range +of the Tartars, but he well knew that his horse was becoming +weaker, and dreaded every instant that he would stumble never to +rise again.</p> + +<p>It was now light, although the sun had not yet risen above the +horizon. + Two versts distant could be seen a pale line bordered by a few +trees.</p> + +<p>This was the Obi, which flows from the southwest to the +northeast, the surface almost level with the ground, its bed +being but the steppe itself.</p> + +<p>Several times shots were fired at Michael, but without hitting +him, and several times too he discharged his revolver on those of +the soldiers who pressed him too closely. Each time an Usbeck +rolled on the ground, midst cries of rage from his +companions. + But this pursuit could only terminate to Michael's +disadvantage. + His horse was almost exhausted. He managed to reach the bank of +the river. The Usbeck detachment was now not more than fifty +paces behind him.</p> + +<p>The Obi was deserted--not a boat of any description which +could take him over the water!</p> + +<p>"Courage, my brave horse!" cried Michael. "Come! A last +effort!" + And he plunged into the river, which here was half a verst in +width.</p> + +<p>It would have been difficult to stand against the current-- +indeed, Michael's horse could get no footing. He must therefore +swim across the river, although it was rapid as a torrent. + Even to attempt it showed Michael's marvelous courage. + The soldiers reached the bank, but hesitated to plunge in.</p> + +<p>The pendja-baschi seized his musket and took aim at Michael, +whom he could see in the middle of the stream. + The shot was fired, and Michael's horse, struck in the side, was +borne away by the current.</p> + +<p>His master, speedily disentangling himself from his stirrups, +struck out boldly for the shore. In the midst of a hailstorm of +balls he managed to reach the opposite side, and disappeared in +the rushes.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII THE RIVALS</h2> + +<p>MICHAEL was in comparative safety, though his situation was +still terrible. Now that the faithful animal who had so bravely +borne him had met his death in the waters of the river, how was +he to continue his journey?</p> + +<p>He was on foot, without provisions, in a country devastated by +the invasion, overrun by the Emir's scouts, and still at a +considerable distance from the place he was striving to +reach. + "By Heaven, I will get there!" he exclaimed, in reply to all the +reasons for faltering. "God will protect our sacred Russia."</p> + +<p>Michael was out of reach of the Usbeck horsemen. + They had not dared to pursue him through the river.</p> + +<p> + Once more on solid ground Michael stopped to consider what he +should do next. He wished to avoid Tomsk, now occupied by the +Tartar troops. Nevertheless, he must reach some town, or at least +a post-house, where he could procure a horse. + A horse once found, he would throw himself out of the beaten +track, and not again take to the Irkutsk road until in the +neighborhood of Krasnoiarsk. From that place, if he were quick, +he hoped to find the way still open, and he intended to go +through the Lake Baikal provinces in a southeasterly +direction.</p> + +<p>Michael began by going eastward. By following the course of +the Obi two versts further, he reached a picturesque little town +lying on a small hill. A few churches, with Byzantine cupolas +colored green and gold, stood up against the gray sky. + This is Kolyvan, where the officers and people employed at Kamsk +and other towns take refuge during the summer from the unhealthy +climate of the Baraba. According to the latest news obtained by +the Czar's courier, Kolyvan could not be yet in the hands of the +invaders. The Tartar troops, divided into two columns, had +marched to the left on Omsk, to the right on Tomsk, neglecting +the intermediate country.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff's plan was simply this--to reach Kolyvan +before the arrival of the Usbeck horsemen, who would ascend the +other bank of the Obi to the ferry. There he would procure +clothes and a horse, and r‚sum‚ the road to Irkutsk +across the southern steppe.</p> + +<p>It was now three o'clock in the morning. The neighborhood of +Kolyvan was very still, and appeared to have been totally +abandoned. + The country population had evidently fled to the northwards, to +the province of Yeniseisk, dreading the invasion, which they +could not resist.</p> + +<p>Michael was walking at a rapid pace towards Kolyvan when +distant firing struck his ear. He stopped, and clearly +distinguished the dull roar of artillery, and above it a crisp +rattle which could not be mistaken.</p> + +<p>"It is cannon and musketry!" said he. "The little Russian body +is engaged with the Tartar army! Pray Heaven that I may arrive at +Kolyvan before them!"</p> + +<p>The firing became gradually louder, and soon to the left of +Kolyvan a mist collected--not smoke, but those great white clouds +produced by discharges of artillery.</p> + +<p>The Usbeck horsemen stopped on the left of the Obi, to await +the result of the battle. From them Michael had nothing to fear +as he hastened towards the town.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the firing increased, and became sensibly +nearer. + It was no longer a confused roar, but distinct reports. + At the same time the smoke partially cleared, and it became +evident that the combatants were rapidly moving southwards. + It appeared that Kolyvan was to be attacked on the north +side. + But were the Russians defending it or the Tartars? It being +impossible to decide this, Michael became greatly perplexed.</p> + +<p>He was not more than half a verst from Kolyvan when he +observed flames shooting up among the houses of the town, and the +steeple of a church fell in the midst of clouds of smoke and +fire. + Was the struggle, then, in Kolyvan? Michael was compelled to +think so. + It was evident that Russians and Tartars were fighting in the +streets of the town. Was this a time to seek refuge there? + Would he not run a risk of being taken prisoner? Should he +succeed in escaping from Kolyvan, as he had escaped from Omsk? He +hesitated and stopped a moment. Would it not be better to try, +even on foot, to reach some small town, and there procure a horse +at any price? + This was the only thing to be done; and Michael, leaving the +Obi, went forward to the right of Kolyvan.</p> + +<p>The firing had now increased in violence. Flames soon sprang +up on the left of the town. Fire was devouring one entire quarter +of Kolyvan.</p> + +<p>Michael was running across the steppe endeavoring to gain the +covert of some trees when a detachment of Tartar cavalry appeared +on the right. + He dared not continue in that direction. The horsemen advanced +rapidly, and it would have been difficult to escape them.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, in a thick clump of trees, he saw an isolated house, +which it would be possible to reach before he was perceived. + Michael had no choice but to run there, hide himself and ask or +take something to recruit his strength, for he was exhausted with +hunger and fatigue.</p> + +<p>He accordingly ran on towards this house, still about half a +verst distant. As he approached, he could see that it was a +telegraph office. Two wires left it in westerly and easterly +directions, and a third went towards Kolyvan.</p> + +<p>It was to be supposed that under the circumstances this +station was abandoned; but even if it was, Michael could take +refuge there, and wait till nightfall, if necessary, to again set +out across the steppe covered with Tartar scouts.</p> + +<p>He ran up to the door and pushed it open.</p> + +<p>A single person was in the room whence the telegraphic +messages were dispatched. This was a clerk, calm, phlegmatic, +indifferent to all that was passing outside. Faithful to his +post, he waited behind his little wicket until the public claimed +his services.</p> + +<p>Michael ran up to him, and in a voice broken by fatigue, "What +do you know?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," answered the clerk, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Are the Russians and Tartars engaged?"</p> + +<p>"They say so."</p> + +<p>"But who are the victors?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>Such calmness, such indifference, in the midst of these +terrible events, was scarcely credible.</p> + +<p>"And is not the wire cut?" said Michael.</p> + +<p>"It is cut between Kolyvan and Krasnoiarsk, but it is still +working between Kolyvan and the Russian frontier."</p> + +<p>"For the government?"</p> + +<p>"For the government, when it thinks proper. For the public, +when they pay. Ten copecks a word, whenever you like, sir!"</p> + +<p>Michael was about to reply to this strange clerk that he had +no message to send, that he only implored a little bread and +water, when the door of the house was again thrown open.</p> + +<p>Thinking that it was invaded by Tartars, Michael made ready to +leap out of the window, when two men only entered the room who +had nothing of the Tartar soldier about them. One of them held a +dispatch, written in pencil, in his hand, and, passing the other, +he hurried up to the wicket of the imperturbable clerk.</p> + +<p>In these two men Michael recognized with astonishment, which +everyone will understand, two personages of whom he was not +thinking at all, and whom he had never expected to see again. + They were the two reporters, Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet, no +longer traveling companions, but rivals, enemies, now that they +were working on the field of battle.</p> + +<p>They had left Ichim only a few hours after the departure of +Michael Strogoff, and they had arrived at Kolyvan before him, by +following the same road, in consequence of his losing three days +on the banks of the Irtych. And now, after being both present at +the engagement between the Russians and Tartars before the town, +they had left just as the struggle broke out in the streets, and +ran to the telegraph office, so as to send off their rival +dispatches to Europe, and forestall each other in their report of +events.</p> + +<p>Michael stood aside in the shadow, and without being seen +himself he could see and hear all that was going on. + He would now hear interesting news, and would find out whether +or not he could enter Kolyvan.</p> + +<p>Blount, having distanced his companion, took possession of the +wicket, whilst Alcide Jolivet, contrary to his usual habit, +stamped with impatience.</p> + +<p>"Ten copecks a word," said the clerk.</p> + +<p>Blount deposited a pile of roubles on the shelf, whilst his +rival looked on with a sort of stupefaction.</p> + +<p>"Good," said the clerk. And with the greatest coolness in the +world he began to telegraph the following dispatch: "Daily +Telegraph, London.</p> + +<p>"From Kolyvan, Government of Omsk, Siberia, 6th August.</p> + +<p>"Engagement between Russian and Tartar troops."</p> + +<p>The reading was in a distinct voice, so that Michael heard all +that the English correspondent was sending to his paper.</p> + +<p>"Russians repulsed with great loss. Tartars entered Kolyvan +to-day." + These words ended the dispatch.</p> + +<p>"My turn now," cried Alcide Jolivet, anxious to send off his +dispatch, addressed to his cousin.</p> + +<p>But that was not Blount's idea, who did not intend to give up +the wicket, but have it in his power to send off the news just as +the events occurred. He would therefore not make way for his +companion.</p> + +<p>"But you have finished!" exclaimed Jolivet.</p> + +<p>"I have not finished," returned Harry Blount quietly.</p> + +<p>And he proceeded to write some sentences, which he handed in +to the clerk, who read out in his calm voice: "John Gilpin was a +citizen of credit and renown; a train-band captain eke was he of +famous London town."</p> + +<p>Harry Blount was telegraphing some verses learned in his +childhood, in order to employ the time, and not give up his place +to his rival. + It would perhaps cost his paper some thousands of roubles, but +it would be the first informed. France could wait.</p> + +<p>Jolivet's fury may be imagined, though under any other +circumstances he would have thought it fair warfare. + He even endeavored to force the clerk to take his dispatch in +preference to that of his rival.</p> + +<p>"It is that gentleman's right," answered the clerk coolly, +pointing to Blount, and smiling in the most amiable manner. + And he continued faithfully to transmit to the Daily Telegraph +the well-known verses of Cowper.</p> + +<p>Whilst he was working Blount walked to the window and, his +field glass to his eyes, watched all that was going on in the +neighborhood of Kolyvan, so as to complete his information. In a +few minutes he resumed his place at the wicket, and added to his +telegram: "Two churches are in flames. The fire appears to gain +on the right. + 'John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, Though wedded we have +been these twice ten tedious years, yet we no holiday have +seen.'"</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet would have liked to strangle the honorable +correspondent of the Daily Telegraph.</p> + +<p>He again interrupted the clerk, who, quite unmoved, merely +replied: "It is his right, sir, it is his right--at ten copecks a +word."</p> + +<p>And he telegraphed the following news, just brought him by +Blount: "Russian fugitives are escaping from the town. + 'Away went Gilpin--who but he? His fame soon spread around: He +carries weight! he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!'" + And Blount turned round with a quizzical look at his rival.</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet fumed.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile Harry Blount had returned to the window, but +this time his attention was diverted by the interest of the scene +before him. Therefore, when the clerk had finished telegraphing +the last lines dictated by Blount, Alcide Jolivet noiselessly +took his place at the wicket, and, just as his rival had done, +after quietly depositing a respectable pile of roubles on the +shelf, he delivered his dispatch, which the clerk read aloud: +"Madeleine Jolivet, 10, Faubourg Montmartre, Paris.</p> + +<p>"From Kolyvan, Government of Omsk, Siberia, 6th August.</p> + +<p>"Fugitives are escaping from the town. Russians defeated. + Fiercely pursued by the Tartar cavalry."</p> + +<p>And as Harry Blount returned he heard Jolivet completing his +telegram by singing in a mocking tone:</p> + +<p>"II est un petit homme, Tout habille de gris, Dans Paris!"</p> + +<p>Imitating his rival, Alcide Jolivet had used a merry refrain +of Beranger.</p> + +<p>"Hallo!" said Harry Blount.</p> + +<p>"Just so," answered Jolivet.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the situation at Kolyvan was alarming in the +extreme. + The battle was raging nearer, and the firing was incessant.</p> + +<p>At that moment the telegraph office shook to its +foundations. + A shell had made a hole in the wall, and a cloud of dust filled +the office.</p> + +<p>Alcide was just finishing writing his lines; but to stop, dart +on the shell, seize it in both hands, throw it out of the window, +and return to the wicket, was only the affair of a moment.</p> + +<p>Five seconds later the shell burst outside. Continuing with +the greatest possible coolness, Alcide wrote: "A six-inch shell +has just blown up the wall of the telegraph office. + Expecting a few more of the same size."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff had no doubt that the Russians were driven +out of Kolyvan. His last resource was to set out across the +southern steppe.</p> + +<p>Just then renewed firing broke out close to the telegraph +house, and a perfect shower of bullets smashed all the glass in +the windows. + Harry Blount fell to the ground wounded in the shoulder.</p> + +<p>Jolivet even at such a moment, was about to add this +postscript to his dispatch: "Harry Blount, correspondent of the +Daily Telegraph, has fallen at my side struck by--" when the +imperturbable clerk said calmly: "Sir, the wire has broken." And, +leaving his wicket, he quietly took his hat, brushed it round +with his sleeve, and, still smiling, disappeared through a little +door which Michael had not before perceived.</p> + +<p>The house was surrounded by Tartar soldiers, and neither +Michael nor the reporters could effect their retreat.</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet, his useless dispatch in his hand, had run to +Blount, stretched on the ground, and had bravely lifted him on +his shoulders, with the intention of flying with him. + He was too late!</p> + +<p>Both were prisoners; and, at the same time, Michael, taken +unawares as he was about to leap from the window, fell into the +hands of the Tartars!</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h3>END OF BOOK I</h3> + +<h3> </h3> + +<h1>BOOK II</h1> + +<h2>CHAPTER I A TARTAR CAMP</h2> + +<p>AT a day's march from Kolyvan, several versts beyond the town +of Diachinks, stretches a wide plain, planted here and there with +great trees, principally pines and cedars. + This part of the steppe is usually occupied during the warm +season by Siberian shepherds, and their numerous flocks. + But now it might have been searched in vain for one of its nomad +inhabitants. Not that the plain was deserted. + It presented a most animated appearance.</p> + +<p>There stood the Tartar tents; there Feofar-Khan, the terrible +Emir of Bokhara, was encamped; and there on the following day, +the 7th of August, were brought the prisoners taken at Kolyvan +after the annihilation of the Russian force, which had vainly +attempted to oppose the progress of the invaders. + Of the two thousand men who had engaged with the two columns of +the enemy, the bases of which rested on Tomsk and Omsk, only a +few hundred remained. Thus events were going badly, and the +imperial government appeared to have lost its power beyond the +frontiers of the Ural--for a time at least, for the Russians +could not fail eventually to defeat the savage hordes of the +invaders. + But in the meantime the invasion had reached the center of +Siberia, and it was spreading through the revolted country both +to the eastern, and the western provinces. + If the troops of the Amoor and the province of Takutsk did not +arrive in time to occupy it, Irkutsk, the capital of Asiatic +Russia, being insufficiently garrisoned, would fall into the +hands of the Tartars, and the Grand Duke, brother of the Emperor, +would be sacrificed to the vengeance of Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p> + What had become of Michael Strogoff? Had he broken down under +the weight of so many trials? Did he consider himself conquered +by the series of disasters which, since the adventure of Ichim, +had increased in magnitude? Did he think his cause lost? that his +mission had failed? that his orders could no longer be +obeyed?</p> + +<p>Michael was one of those men who never give in while life +exists. + He was yet alive; he still had the imperial letter safe; his +disguise had been undiscovered. He was included amongst the +numerous prisoners whom the Tartars were dragging with them like +cattle; but by approaching Tomsk he was at the same time drawing +nearer to Irkutsk. Besides, he was still in front of Ivan +Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"I will get there!" he repeated to himself.</p> + +<p>Since the affair of Kolyvan all the powers of his mind were +concentrated on one object--to become free! How should he escape +from the Emir's soldiers?</p> + +<p>Feofar's camp presented a magnificent spectacle.</p> + +<p>Numberless tents, of skin, felt, or silk, glistened in the +rays of the sun. The lofty plumes which surmounted their conical +tops waved amidst banners, flags, and pennons of every color. + The richest of these tents belonged to the Seides and Khodjas, +who are the principal personages of the khanat. + A special pavilion, ornamented with a horse's tail issuing from +a sheaf of red and white sticks artistically interlaced, +indicated the high rank of these Tartar chiefs. + Then in the distance rose several thousand of the Turcoman +tents, called "karaoy," which had been carried on the backs of +camels.</p> + +<p>The camp contained at least a hundred and fifty thousand +soldiers, as many foot as horse soldiers, collected under the +name of Alamanes. Amongst them, and as the principal types of +Turkestan, would have been directly remarked the Tadjiks, from +their regular features, white skin, tall forms, and black eyes +and hair; they formed the bulk of the Tartar army, and of them +the khanats of Khokhand and Koundouge had furnished a contingent +nearly equal to that of Bokhara. With the Tadjiks were mingled +specimens of different races who either reside in Turkestan or +whose native countries border on it. + There were Usbecks, red-bearded, small in stature, similar to +those who had pursued Michael. Here were Kirghiz, with flat faces +like the Kalmucks, dressed in coats of mail: some carried the +lance, bows, and arrows of Asiatic manufacture; some the saber, a +matchlock gun, and the "tschakane," a little short-handled ax, +the wounds from which invariably prove fatal. + There were Mongols--of middle height, with black hair plaited +into pigtails, which hung down their back; round faces, swarthy +complexions, lively deep-set eyes, scanty beards-- dressed in +blue nankeen trimmed with black plush, sword-belts of leather +with silver buckles, coats gayly braided, and silk caps edged +with fur and three ribbons fluttering behind. + Brown-skinned Afghans, too, might have been seen. + Arabs, having the primitive type of the beautiful Semitic races; +and Turcomans, with eyes which looked as if they had lost the +pupil,--all enrolled under the Emir's flag, the flag of +incendiaries and devastators.</p> + +<p>Among these free soldiers were a certain number of slave +soldiers, principally Persians, commanded by officers of the same +nation, and they were certainly not the least esteemed of +Feofar-Khan's army.</p> + +<p>If to this list are added the Jews, who acted as servants, +their robes confined with a cord, and wearing on their heads +instead of the turban, which is forbidden them, little caps of +dark cloth; if with these groups are mingled some hundreds of +"kalenders," a sort of religious mendicants, clothed in rags, +covered by a leopard skin, some idea may be formed of the +enormous agglomerations of different tribes included under the +general denomination of the Tartar army.</p> + +<p>Nothing could be more romantic than this picture, in +delineating which the most skillful artist would have exhausted +all the colors of his palette.</p> + +<p>Feofar's tent overlooked the others. Draped in large folds of +a brilliant silk looped with golden cords and tassels, surmounted +by tall plumes which waved in the wind like fans, it occupied the +center of a wide clearing, sheltered by a grove of magnificent +birch and pine trees. Before this tent, on a japanned table +inlaid with precious stones, was placed the sacred book of the +Koran, its pages being of thin gold-leaf delicately engraved. + Above floated the Tartar flag, quartered with the Emir's +arms.</p> + +<p>In a semicircle round the clearing stood the tents of the +great functionaries of Bokhara. There resided the chief of the +stables, who has the right to follow the Emir on horseback even +into the court of his palace; the grand falconer; the +"housch-begui," bearer of the royal seal; the "toptschi-baschi," +grand master of the artillery; the "khodja," chief of the +council, who receives the prince's kiss, and may present himself +before him with his girdle untied; the "scheikh-oul-islam," chief +of the Ulemas, representing the priests; the "cazi-askev," who, +in the Emir's absence settles all disputes raised among the +soldiers; and lastly, the chief of the astrologers, whose great +business is to consult the stars every time the Khan thinks of +changing his quarters.</p> + +<p>When the prisoners were brought into the camp, the Emir was in +his tent. + He did not show himself. This was fortunate, no doubt. A sign, a +word from him might have been the signal for some bloody +execution. + But he intrenched himself in that isolation which constitutes in +part the majesty of Eastern kings. He who does not show himself +is admired, and, above all, feared.</p> + +<p>As to the prisoners, they were to be penned up in some +enclosure, where, ill-treated, poorly fed, and exposed to all the +inclemencies of the weather, they would await Feofar's +pleasure.</p> + +<p>The most docile and patient of them all was undoubtedly +Michael Strogoff. He allowed himself to be led, for they were +leading him where he wished to go, and under conditions of safety +which free he could not have found on the road from Kolyvan to +Tomsk. To escape before reaching that town was to risk again +falling into the hands of the scouts, who were scouring the +steppe. The most eastern line occupied by the Tartar columns was +not situated beyond the eighty-fifth meridian, which passes +through Tomsk. This meridian once passed, Michael considered that +he should be beyond the hostile zones, that he could traverse +Genisci without danger, and gain Krasnoiarsk before Feofar-Khan +had invaded the province.</p> + +<p>"Once at Tomsk," he repeated to himself, to repress some +feelings of impatience which he could not entirely master, "in a +few minutes I should be beyond the outposts; and twelve hours +gained on Feofar, twelve hours on Ogareff, that surely would be +enough to give me a start of them to Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>The thing that Michael dreaded more than everything else was +the presence of Ivan Ogareff in the Tartar camp. Besides the +danger of being recognized, he felt, by a sort of instinct, that +this was the traitor whom it was especially necessary to +precede. + He understood, too, that the union of Ogareff's troops with +those of Feofar would complete the invading army, and that the +junction once effected, the army would march en masse on the +capital of Eastern Siberia. All his apprehensions came from this +quarter, and he dreaded every instant to hear some flourish of +trumpets, announcing the arrival of the lieutenant of the +Emir.</p> + +<p>To this was added the thought of his mother, of Nadia,-- the +one a prisoner at Omsk; the other dragged on board the Irtych +boats, and no doubt a captive, as Marfa Strogoff was. + He could do nothing for them. Should he ever see them again? + At this question, to which he dared not reply, his heart sank +very low.</p> + +<p>At the same time with Michael Strogoff and so many other +prisoners Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet had also been taken to +the Tartar camp. + Their former traveling companion, captured like them at the +telegraph office, knew that they were penned up with him in the +enclosure, guarded by numerous sentinels, but he did not wish to +accost them. + It mattered little to him, at this time especially, what they +might think of him since the affair at Ichim. Besides, he desired +to be alone, that he might act alone, if necessary. He therefore +held himself aloof from his former acquaintances.</p> + +<p>From the moment that Harry Blount had fallen by his side, +Jolivet had not ceased his attentions to him. During the journey +from Kolyvan to the camp--that is to say, for several +hours--Blount, by leaning on his companion's arm, had been +enabled to follow the rest of the prisoners. + He tried to make known that he was a British subject; but it had +no effect on the barbarians, who only replied by prods with a +lance or sword. + The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph was, therefore, obliged +to submit to the common lot, resolving to protest later, and +obtain satisfaction for such treatment. But the journey was not +the less disagreeable to him, for his wound caused him much pain, +and without Alcide Jolivet's assistance he might never have +reached the camp.</p> + +<p>Jolivet, whose practical philosophy never abandoned him, had +physically and morally strengthened his companion by every means +in his power. + His first care, when they found themselves definitely +established in the enclosure, was to examine Blount's wound. +Having managed carefully to draw off his coat, he found that the +shoulder had been only grazed by the shot.</p> + +<p>"This is nothing," he said. "A mere scratch! After two or +three dressings you will be all to rights."</p> + +<p>"But these dressings?" asked Blount.</p> + +<p>"I will make them for you myself."</p> + +<p>"Then you are something of a doctor?"</p> + +<p>"All Frenchmen are something of doctors."</p> + +<p>And on this affirmation Alcide, tearing his handkerchief, made +lint of one piece, bandages of the other, took some water from a +well dug in the middle of the enclosure, bathed the wound, and +skillfully placed the wet rag on Harry Blount's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I treat you with water," he said. "This liquid is the most +efficacious sedative known for the treatment of wounds, and is +the most employed now. + Doctors have taken six thousand years to discover that! Yes, six +thousand years in round numbers!"</p> + +<p>"I thank you, M. Jolivet," answered Harry, stretching himself +on a bed of dry leaves, which his companion had arranged for him +in the shade of a birch tree.</p> + +<p>"Bah! it's nothing! You would do as much for me."</p> + +<p>"I am not quite so sure," said Blount candidly.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, stupid! All English are generous."</p> + +<p>"Doubtless; but the French?"</p> + +<p>"Well, the French--they are brutes, if you like! + But what redeems them is that they are French. Say nothing more +about that, or rather, say nothing more at all. + Rest is absolutely necessary for you."</p> + +<p>But Harry Blount had no wish to be silent. If the wound, in +prudence, required rest, the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph +was not a man to indulge himself.</p> + +<p>"M. Jolivet," he asked, "do you think that our last dispatches +have been able to pass the Russian frontier?"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" answered Alcide. "By this time you may be sure that +my beloved cousin knows all about the affair at Kolyvan."</p> + +<p>"How many copies does your cousin work off of her +dispatches?" + asked Blount, for the first time putting his question direct to +his companion.</p> + +<p>"Well," answered Alcide, laughing, "my cousin is a very +discreet person, who does not like to be talked about, and who +would be in despair if she troubled the sleep of which you are in +need."</p> + +<p>"I don't wish to sleep," replied the Englishman. "What will +your cousin think of the affairs of Russia?"</p> + +<p>"That they seem for the time in a bad way. But, bah! the +Muscovite government is powerful; it cannot be really uneasy at +an invasion of barbarians."</p> + +<p>"Too much ambition has lost the greatest empires," answered +Blount, who was not exempt from a certain English jealousy with +regard to Russian pretensions in Central Asia.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do not let us talk politics," cried Jolivet. "It is +forbidden by the faculty. Nothing can be worse for wounds in the +shoulder-- unless it was to put you to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Let us, then, talk of what we ought to do," replied +Blount. + "M. Jolivet, I have no intention at all of remaining a prisoner +to these Tartars for an indefinite time."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, either, by Jove!"</p> + +<p>"We will escape on the first opportunity?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if there is no other way of regaining our liberty."</p> + +<p>"Do you know of any other?" asked Blount, looking at his +companion.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. We are not belligerents; we are neutral, and we +will claim our freedom."</p> + +<p>"From that brute of a Feofar-Khan?"</p> + +<p>"No; he would not understand," answered Jolivet; "but from his +lieutenant, Ivan Ogareff."</p> + +<p>"He is a villain."</p> + +<p>" No doubt; but the villain is a Russian. He knows that it +does not do to trifle with the rights of men, and he has no +interest to retain us; on the contrary. But to ask a favor of +that gentleman does not quite suit my taste."</p> + +<p>"But that gentleman is not in the camp, or at least I have not +seen him here," observed Blount.</p> + +<p>"He will come. He will not fail to do that. He must join the +Emir. Siberia is cut in two now, and very certainly Feofar's army +is only waiting for him to advance on Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"And once free, what shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Once free, we will continue our campaign, and follow the +Tartars, until the time comes when we can make our way into the +Russian camp. + We must not give up the game. No, indeed; we have only just +begun. + You, friend, have already had the honor of being wounded in the +service of the Daily Telegraph, whilst I--I have as yet suffered +nothing in my cousin's service. Well, well! Good," murmured +Alcide Jolivet; "there he is asleep. A few hours' sleep and a few +cold water compresses are all that are required to set an +Englishman on his legs again. + These fellows are made of cast iron."</p> + +<p>And whilst Harry Blount rested, Alcide watched near him, after +having drawn out his note book, which he loaded with notes, +determined besides to share them with his companion, for the +greater satisfaction of the readers of the Daily Telegraph. +Events had united them one with the other. They were no longer +jealous of each other. So, then, the thing that Michael Strogoff +dreaded above everything was the most lively desire of the two +correspondents. + Ivan Ogareff's arrival would evidently be of use to them. + Blount and Jolivet's interest was, therefore, contrary to that +of Michael. The latter well understood the situation, and it was +one reason, added to many others, which prevented him from +approaching his former traveling companions. + He therefore managed so as not to be seen by them.</p> + +<p>Four days passed thus without the state of things being in +anywise altered. The prisoners heard no talk of the breaking up +of the Tartar camp. They were strictly guarded. + It would have been impossible for them to pass the cordon of +foot and horse soldiers, which watched them night and day. + As to the food which was given them it was barely +sufficient. + Twice in the twenty-four hours they were thrown a piece of the +intestines of goats grilled on the coals, or a few bits of that +cheese called "kroute," made of sour ewe's milk, and which, +soaked in mare's milk, forms the Kirghiz dish, commonly called +"koumyss." And this was all. + It may be added that the weather had become detestable. + There were considerable atmospheric commotions, bringing squalls +mingled with rain. The unfortunate prisoners, destitute of +shelter, had to bear all the inclemencies of the weather, nor was +there the slightest alleviation to their misery. + Several wounded women and children died, and the prisoners were +themselves compelled to dig graves for the bodies of those whom +their jailers would not even take the trouble to bury.</p> + +<p>During this trying period Alcide Jolivet and Michael Strogoff +worked hard, each in the portions of the enclosure in which they +found themselves. + Healthy and vigorous, they suffered less than so many others, +and could better endure the hardships to which they were +exposed. + By their advice, and the assistance they rendered, they were of +the greatest possible use to their suffering and despairing +fellow-captives.</p> + +<p>Was this state of things to last? Would Feofar-Khan, satisfied +with his first success, wait some time before marching on +Irkutsk? Such, it was to be feared, would be the case. + But it was not so. The event so much wished for by Jolivet and +Blount, so much dreaded by Michael, occurred on the morning of +the 12th of August.</p> + +<p>On that day the trumpets sounded, the drums beat, the cannon +roared. + A huge cloud of dust swept along the road from Kolyvan. Ivan +Ogareff, followed by several thousand men, made his entry into +the Tartar camp.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER II CORRESPONDENTS IN TROUBLE</h2> + +<p>IVAN OGAREFF was bringing up the main body of the army of the +Emir. The cavalry and infantry now under him had formed part of +the column which had taken Omsk. Ogareff, not having been able to +reduce the high town, in which, it must be remembered, the +governor and garrison had sought refuge, had decided to pass on, +not wishing to delay operations which ought to lead to the +conquest of Eastern Siberia. He therefore left a garrison in +Omsk, and, reinforcing himself en route with the conquerors of +Kolyvan, joined Feofar's army.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff's soldiers halted at the outposts of the +camp. + They received no orders to bivouac. Their chief's plan, +doubtless, was not to halt there, but to press on and reach Tomsk +in the shortest possible time, it being an important town, +naturally intended to become the center of future operations.</p> + +<p>Besides his soldiers, Ogareff was bringing a convoy of Russian +and Siberian prisoners, captured either at Omsk or Kolyvan. These +unhappy creatures were not led to the enclosure--already too +crowded--but were forced to remain at the outposts without +shelter, almost without nourishment. + What fate was Feofar-Khan reserving for these unfortunates? + Would he imprison them in Tomsk, or would some bloody execution, +familiar to the Tartar chiefs, remove them when they were found +too inconvenient? This was the secret of the capricious Emir.</p> + +<p> + This army had not come from Omsk and Kolyvan without bringing in +its train the usual crowd of beggars, freebooters, pedlars, and +gypsies, which compose the rear-guard of an army on the +march.</p> + +<p>All these people lived on the country traversed, and left +little of anything behind them. There was, therefore, a necessity +for pushing forward, if only to secure provisions for the troops. +The whole region between Ichim and the Obi, now completely +devastated, no longer offered any resources. + The Tartars left a desert behind them.</p> + +<p>Conspicuous among the gypsies who had hastened from the +western provinces was the Tsigane troop, which had accompanied +Michael Strogoff as far as Perm. Sangarre was there. This fierce +spy, the tool of Ivan Ogareff, had not deserted her master. +Ogareff had traveled rapidly to Ichim, whilst Sangarre and her +band had proceeded to Omsk by the southern part of the +province.</p> + +<p>It may be easily understood how useful this woman was to +Ogareff. With her gypsy-band she could penetrate anywhere. + Ivan Ogareff was kept acquainted with all that was going on in +the very heart of the invaded provinces. There were a hundred +eyes, a hundred ears, open in his service. Besides, he paid +liberally for this espionage, from which he derived so much +advantage.</p> + +<p>Once Sangarre, being implicated in a very serious affair, had +been saved by the Russian officer. She never forgot what she owed +him, and had devoted herself to his service body and soul.</p> + +<p>When Ivan Ogareff entered on the path of treason, he saw at +once how he might turn this woman to account. + Whatever order he might give her, Sangarre would execute it. + An inexplicable instinct, more powerful still than that of +gratitude, had urged her to make herself the slave of the traitor +to whom she had been attached since the very beginning of his +exile in Siberia.</p> + +<p>Confidante and accomplice, Sangarre, without country, without +family, had been delighted to put her vagabond life to the +service of the invaders thrown by Ogareff on Siberia. To the +wonderful cunning natural to her race she added a wild energy, +which knew neither forgiveness nor pity. + She was a savage worthy to share the wigwam of an Apache or the +hut of an Andaman.</p> + +<p>Since her arrival at Omsk, where she had rejoined him with her +Tsiganes, Sangarre had not again left Ogareff. The circumstance +that Michael and Marfa Strogoff had met was known to her. + She knew and shared Ogareff's fears concerning the journey of a +courier of the Czar. Having Marfa Strogoff in her power, she +would have been the woman to torture her with all the refinement +of a RedSkin in order to wrest her secret from her. But the hour +had not yet come in which Ogareff wished the old Siberian to +speak. + Sangarre had to wait, and she waited, without losing sight of +her whom she was watching, observing her slightest gestures, her +slightest words, endeavoring to catch the word "son" escaping +from her lips, but as yet always baffled by Marfa's +taciturnity.</p> + +<p>At the first flourish of the trumpets several officers of high +rank, followed by a brilliant escort of Usbeck horsemen, moved to +the front of the camp to receive Ivan Ogareff. Arrived in his +presence, they paid him the greatest respect, and invited him to +accompany them to Feofar-Khan's tent.</p> + +<p>Imperturbable as usual, Ogareff replied coldly to the +deference paid to him. He was plainly dressed; but, from a sort +of impudent bravado, he still wore the uniform of a Russian +officer.</p> + +<p>As he was about to enter the camp, Sangarre, passing among the +officers approached and remained motionless before him. + "Nothing?" asked Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"Have patience."</p> + +<p>"Is the time approaching when you will force the old woman to +speak?"</p> + +<p>"It is approaching, Sangarre."</p> + +<p>"When will the old woman speak?"</p> + +<p>"When we reach Tomsk."</p> + +<p>"And we shall be there--"</p> + +<p>"In three days."</p> + +<p>A strange gleam shot from Sangarre's great black eyes, and she +retired with a calm step. Ogareff pressed his spurs into his +horse's flanks, and, followed by his staff of Tartar officers, +rode towards the Emir's tent.</p> + +<p>Feofar-Khan was expecting his lieutenant. The council, +composed of the bearer of the royal seal, the khodja, and some +high officers, had taken their places in the tent. + Ivan Ogareff dismounted and entered.</p> + +<p>Feofar-Khan was a man of forty, tall, rather pale, of a fierce +countenance, and evil eyes. A curly black beard flowed over his +chest. + With his war costume, coat of mail of gold and silver, +cross-belt and scabbard glistening with precious stones, boots +with golden spurs, helmet ornamented with an aigrette of +brilliant diamonds, Feofar presented an aspect rather strange +than imposing for a Tartar Sardana-palus, an undisputed +sovereign, who directs at his pleasure the life and fortune of +his subjects.</p> + +<p>When Ivan Ogareff appeared, the great dignitaries remained +seated on their gold-embroidered cushions; but Feofar rose from a +rich divan which occupied the back part of the tent, the ground +being hidden under the thick velvet-pile of a Bokharian +carpet.</p> + +<p>The Emir approached Ogareff and gave him a kiss, the meaning +of which he could not mistake. This kiss made the lieutenant +chief of the council, and placed him temporarily above the +khodja.</p> + +<p>Then Feofar spoke. "I have no need to question you," said he; +"speak, Ivan. You will find here ears very ready to listen to +you."</p> + +<p>"Takhsir," answered Ogareff, "this is what I have to make +known to you." He spoke in the Tartar language, giving to his +phrases the emphatic turn which distinguishes the languages of +the Orientals. "Takhsir, this is not the time for unnecessary +words. + What I have done at the head of your troops, you know. + The lines of the Ichim and the Irtych are now in our power; and +the Turcoman horsemen can bathe their horses in the now Tartar +waters. + The Kirghiz hordes rose at the voice of Feofar-Khan. You can now +push your troops towards the east, and where the sun rises, or +towards the west, where he sets."</p> + +<p>"And if I march with the sun?" asked the Emir, without his +countenance betraying any of his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"To march with the sun," answered Ogareff, "is to throw +yourself towards Europe; it is to conquer rapidly the Siberian +provinces of Tobolsk as far as the Ural Mountains."</p> + +<p>"And if I go to meet this luminary of the heavens?"</p> + +<p>"It is to subdue to the Tartar dominion, with Irkutsk, the +richest countries of Central Asia."</p> + +<p>"But the armies of the Sultan of St. Petersburg?" said +Feofar-Khan, designating the Emperor of Russia by this strange +title.</p> + +<p>"You have nothing to fear from them," replied Ivan +Ogareff. + "The invasion has been sudden; and before the Russian army can +succor them, Irkutsk or Tobolsk will have fallen into your +power. + The Czar's troops have been overwhelmed at Kolyvan, as they will +be everywhere where yours meet them."</p> + +<p>"And what advice does your devotion to the Tartar cause +suggest?" + asked the Emir, after a few moments' silence.</p> + +<p>"My advice," answered Ivan Ogareff quickly, "is to march to +meet the sun. + It is to give the grass of the eastern steppes to the Turcoman +horses to consume. It is to take Irkutsk, the capital of the +eastern provinces, and with it a hostage, the possession of whom +is worth a whole country. + In the place of the Czar, the Grand Duke his brother must fall +into your hands."</p> + +<p>This was the great result aimed at by Ivan Ogareff. To listen +to him, one would have taken him for one of the cruel descendants +of Stephan Razine, the celebrated pirate who ravaged Southern +Russia in the eighteenth century. + To seize the Grand Duke, murder him pitilessly, would fully +satisfy his hatred. Besides, with the capture of Irkutsk, all +Eastern Siberia would pass to the Tartars.</p> + +<p>"It shall be thus, Ivan," replied Feofar.</p> + +<p>"What are your orders, Takhsir?"</p> + +<p>"To-day our headquarters shall be removed to Tomsk."</p> + +<p>Ogareff bowed, and, followed by the housch-begui, he retired +to execute the Emir's orders.</p> + +<p>As he was about to mount his horse, to return to the outposts, +a tumult broke out at some distance, in the part of the camp +reserved for the prisoners. Shouts were heard, and two or three +shots fired. + Perhaps it was an attempt at revolt or escape, which must be +summarily suppressed.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff and the housch-begui walked forward and almost +immediately two men, whom the soldiers had not been able to keep +back appeared before them.</p> + +<p>The housch-begui, without more information, made a sign which +was an order for death, and the heads of the two prisoners would +have rolled on the ground had not Ogareff uttered a few words +which arrested the sword already raised aloft. + The Russian had perceived that these prisoners were strangers, +and he ordered them to be brought to him.</p> + +<p>They were Harry Blount and Alcide jolivet.</p> + +<p>On Ogareff's arrival in the camp, they had demanded to be +conducted to his presence. The soldiers had refused. + In consequence, a struggle, an attempt at flight, shots fired +which happily missed the two correspondents, but their execution +would not have been long delayed, if it had not been for the +intervention of the Emir's lieutenant.</p> + +<p>The latter observed the prisoners for some moments, they being +absolutely unknown to him. They had been present at that scene in +the post-house at Ichim, in which Michael Strogoff had been +struck by Ogareff; but the brutal traveler had paid no attention +to the persons then collected in the common room.</p> + +<p>Blount and Jolivet, on the contrary, recognized him at once, +and the latter said in a low voice, "Hullo! It seems that Colonel +Ogareff and the rude personage of Ichim are one!" Then he added +in his companion's ear, "Explain our affair, Blount. You will do +me a service. + This Russian colonel in the midst of a Tartar camp disgusts me; +and although, thanks to him, my head is still on my shoulders, my +eyes would exhibit my feelings were I to attempt to look him in +the face."</p> + +<p>So saying, Alcide Jolivet assumed a look of complete and +haughty indifference.</p> + +<p>Whether or not Ivan Ogareff perceived that the prisoner's +attitude was insulting towards him, he did not let it appear. + "Who are you, gentlemen?" he asked in Russian, in a cold tone, +but free from its usual rudeness.</p> + +<p>"Two correspondents of English and French newspapers," + replied Blount laconically.</p> + +<p>"You have, doubtless, papers which will establish your +identity?"</p> + +<p>"Here are letters which accredit us in Russia, from the +English and French chancellor's office."</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff took the letters which Blount held out, and read +them attentively. "You ask," said he, "authorization to follow +our military operations in Siberia?"</p> + +<p>"We ask to be free, that is all," answered the English +correspondent dryly.</p> + +<p>"You are so, gentlemen," answered Ogareff; "I am curious to +read your articles in the Daily Telegraph."</p> + +<p>"Sir," replied Blount, with the most imperturbable coolness, +"it is sixpence a number, including postage." And thereupon he +returned to his companion, who appeared to approve completely of +his replies.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff, without frowning, mounted his horse, and going +to the head of his escort, soon disappeared in a cloud of +dust.</p> + +<p>"Well, Jolivet, what do you think of Colonel Ivan Ogareff, +general-in-chief of the Tartar troops?" asked Blount.</p> + +<p>"I think, my dear friend," replied Alcide, smiling, "that the +housch-begui made a very graceful gesture when he gave the order +for our heads to be cut off."</p> + +<p>Whatever was the motive which led Ogareff to act thus in +regard to the two correspondents, they were free and could rove +at their pleasure over the scene of war. Their intention was not +to leave it. + The sort of antipathy which formerly they had entertained for +each other had given place to a sincere friendship. Circumstances +having brought them together, they no longer thought of +separating. + The petty questions of rivalry were forever extinguished. + Harry Blount could never forget what he owed his companion, who, +on the other hand, never tried to remind him of it. + This friendship too assisted the reporting operations, and was +thus to the advantage of their readers.</p> + +<p>"And now," asked Blount, "what shall we do with our +liberty?"</p> + +<p>"Take advantage of it, of course," replied Alcide, "and go +quietly to Tomsk to see what is going on there."</p> + +<p>"Until the time--very near, I hope--when we may rejoin some +Russian regiment?"</p> + +<p>"As you say, my dear Blount, it won't do to Tartarise +ourselves too much. The best side is that of the most civilized +army, and it is evident that the people of Central Asia will have +everything to lose and absolutely nothing to gain from this +invasion, while the Russians will soon repulse them. + It is only a matter of time."</p> + +<p>The arrival of Ivan Ogareff, which had given Jolivet and +Blount their liberty, was to Michael Strogoff, on the contrary, a +serious danger. + Should chance bring the Czar's courier into Ogareff's presence, +the latter could not fail to recognize in him the traveler whom +he had so brutally treated at the Ichim post-house, and although +Michael had not replied to the insult as he would have done under +any other circumstances, attention would be drawn to him, and at +once the accomplishment of his plans would be rendered more +difficult.</p> + +<p>This was the unpleasant side of the business. A favorable +result of his arrival, however, was the order which was given to +raise the camp that very day, and remove the headquarters to +Tomsk. This was the accomplishment of Michael's most fervent +desire. His intention, as has been said, was to reach Tomsk +concealed amongst the other prisoners; that is to say, without +any risk of falling into the hands of the scouts who swarmed +about the approaches to this important town. + However, in consequence of the arrival of Ivan Ogareff, he +questioned whether it would not be better to give up his first +plan and attempt to escape during the journey.</p> + +<p>Michael would, no doubt, have kept to the latter plan had he +not learnt that Feofar-Khan and Ogareff had already set out for +the town with some thousands of horsemen. "I will wait, then," +said he to himself; "at least, unless some exceptional +opportunity for escape occurs. + The adverse chances are numerous on this side of Tomsk, while +beyond I shall in a few hours have passed the most advanced +Tartar posts to the east. Still three days of patience, and may +God aid me!"</p> + +<p>It was indeed a journey of three days which the prisoners, +under the guard of a numerous detachment of Tartars, were to make +across the steppe. + A hundred and fifty versts lay between the camp and the town-- +an easy march for the Emir's soldiers, who wanted for nothing, +but a wretched journey for these people, enfeebled by +privations. + More than one corpse would show the road they had traversed.</p> + +<p>It was two o'clock in the afternoon, on the 12th of August, +under a hot sun and cloudless sky, that the toptschi-baschi gave +the order to start.</p> + +<p>Alcide and Blount, having bought horses, had already taken the +road to Tomsk, where events were to reunite the principal +personages of this story.</p> + +<p>Amongst the prisoners brought by Ivan Ogareff to the Tartar +camp was an old woman, whose taciturnity seemed to keep her apart +from all those who shared her fate. Not a murmur issued from her +lips. + She was like a statue of grief. This woman was more strictly +guarded than anyone else, and, without her appearing to notice, +was constantly watched by the Tsigane Sangarre. Notwithstanding +her age she was compelled to follow the convoy of prisoners on +foot, without any alleviation of her suffering.</p> + +<p>However, a kind Providence had placed near her a courageous, +kind-hearted being to comfort and assist her. Amongst her +companions in misfortune a young girl, remarkable for beauty and +taciturnity, seemed to have given herself the task of watching +over her. + No words had been exchanged between the two captives, but the +girl was always at the old woman's side when help was useful. + At first the mute assistance of the stranger was accepted with +some mistrust. Gradually, however, the young girl's clear glance, +her reserve, and the mysterious sympathy which draws together +those who are in misfortune, thawed Marfa Strogoff's +coldness.</p> + +<p>Nadia--for it was she--was thus able, without knowing it, to +render to the mother those attentions which she had herself +received from the son. Her instinctive kindness had doubly +inspired her. + In devoting herself to her service, Nadia secured to her youth +and beauty the protection afforded by the age of the old +prisoner.</p> + +<p>On the crowd of unhappy people, embittered by sufferings, this +silent pair--one seeming to be the grandmother, the other the +grand-daughter--imposed a sort of respect.</p> + +<p>After being carried off by the Tartar scouts on the Irtych, +Nadia had been taken to Omsk. Kept prisoner in the town, she +shared the fate of all those captured by Ivan Ogareff, and +consequently that of Marfa Strogoff.</p> + +<p>If Nadia had been less energetic, she would have succumbed to +this double blow. The interruption to her journey, the death of +Michael, made her both desperate and excited. Divided, perhaps +forever, from her father, after so many happy efforts had brought +her near him, and, to crown her grief, separated from the +intrepid companion whom God seemed to have placed in her way to +lead her. + The image of Michael Strogoff, struck before her eyes with a +lance and disappearing beneath the waters of the Irtych, never +left her thoughts.</p> + +<p>Could such a man have died thus? For whom was God reserving +His miracles if this good man, whom a noble object was urging +onwards, had been allowed to perish so miserably? Then anger +would prevail over grief. The scene of the affront so strangely +borne by her companion at the Ichim relay returned to her +memory. + Her blood boiled at the recollection.</p> + +<p>"Who will avenge him who can no longer avenge himself?" she +said.</p> + +<p>And in her heart, she cried, "May it be I!" If before his +death Michael had confided his secret to her, woman, aye girl +though she was, she might have been able to carry to a successful +conclusion the interrupted task of that brother whom God had so +soon taken from her.</p> + +<p>Absorbed in these thoughts, it can be understood how Nadia +could remain insensible to the miseries even of her +captivity. + Thus chance had united her to Marfa Strogoff without her having +the least suspicion of who she was. How could she imagine that +this old woman, a prisoner like herself, was the mother of him, +whom she only knew as the merchant Nicholas Korpanoff? And on the +other hand, how could Marfa guess that a bond of gratitude +connected this young stranger with her son?</p> + +<p>The thing that first struck Nadia in Marfa Strogoff was the +similarity in the way in which each bore her hard fate. + This stoicism of the old woman under the daily hardships, this +contempt of bodily suffering, could only be caused by a moral +grief equal to her own. So Nadia thought; and she was not +mistaken. + It was an instinctive sympathy for that part of her misery which +Marfa did not show which first drew Nadia towards her. + This way of bearing her sorrow went to the proud heart of the +young girl. She did not offer her services; she gave them. + Marfa had neither to refuse nor accept them. In the difficult +parts of the journey, the girl was there to support her. + When the provisions were given out, the old woman would not have +moved, but Nadia shared her small portion with her; and thus this +painful journey was performed. Thanks to her companion, Marfa was +able to follow the soldiers who guarded the prisoners without +being fastened to a saddle-bow, as were many other unfortunate +wretches, and thus dragged along this road of sorrow.</p> + +<p>"May God reward you, my daughter, for what you have done for +my old age!" + said Marfa Strogoff once, and for some time these were the only +words exchanged between the two unfortunate beings.</p> + +<p>During these few days, which to them appeared like centuries, +it would seem that the old woman and the girl would have been led +to speak of their situation. But Marfa Strogoff, from a caution +which may be easily understood, never spoke about herself except +with the greatest brevity. She never made the smallest allusion +to her son, nor to the unfortunate meeting.</p> + +<p>Nadia also, if not completely silent, spoke little. However, +one day her heart overflowed, and she told all the events which +had occurred from her departure from Wladimir to the death of +Nicholas Korpanoff.</p> + +<p>All that her young companion told intensely interested the old +Siberian. "Nicholas Korpanoff!" said she. + "Tell me again about this Nicholas. I know only one man, one +alone, in whom such conduct would not have astonished me. + Nicholas Korpanoff! Was that really his name? Are you sure of +it, my daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Why should he have deceived me in this," replied Nadia, "when +he deceived me in no other way?"</p> + +<p>Moved, however, by a kind of presentiment, Marfa Strogoff put +questions upon questions to Nadia.</p> + +<p>"You told me he was fearless, my daughter. You have proved +that he has been so?" asked she.</p> + +<p>"Yes, fearless indeed!" replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>"It was just what my son would have done," said Marfa to +herself.</p> + +<p>Then she resumed, "Did you not say that nothing stopped him, +nor astonished him; that he was so gentle in his strength that +you had a sister as well as a brother in him, and he watched over +you like a mother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," said Nadia. "Brother, sister, mother--he has been +all to me!"</p> + +<p>"And defended you like a lion?"</p> + +<p>"A lion indeed!" replied Nadia. "A lion, a hero!"</p> + +<p>"My son, my son!" thought the old Siberian. "But you said, +however, that he bore a terrible insult at that post-house in +Ichim?"</p> + +<p>"He did bear it," answered Nadia, looking down.</p> + +<p>"He bore it!" murmured Marfa, shuddering.</p> + +<p>"Mother, mother," cried Nadia, "do not blame him! He had a +secret. + A secret of which God alone is as yet the judge!"</p> + +<p>"And," said Marfa, raising her head and looking at Nadia as +though she would read the depths of her heart, "in that hour of +humiliation did you not despise this Nicholas Korpanoff?"</p> + +<p>"I admired without understanding him," replied the girl. + "I never felt him more worthy of respect."</p> + +<p>The old woman was silent for a minute.</p> + +<p>"Was he tall?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Very tall."</p> + +<p>"And very handsome? Come, speak, my daughter."</p> + +<p>"He was very handsome," replied Nadia, blushing.</p> + +<p>"It was my son! I tell you it was my son!" exclaimed the old +woman, embracing Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Your son!" said Nadia amazed, "your son!"</p> + +<p>"Come," said Marfa; "let us get to the bottom of this, my +child. + Your companion, your friend, your protector had a mother. + Did he never speak to you of his mother?"</p> + +<p>"Of his mother?" said Nadia. "He spoke to me of his mother as +I spoke to him of my father--often, always. He adored her."</p> + +<p>"Nadia, Nadia, you have just told me about my own son," + said the old woman.</p> + +<p>And she added impetuously, "Was he not going to see this +mother, whom you say he loved, in Omsk?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Nadia, "no, he was not."</p> + +<p>"Not!" cried Marfa. "You dare to tell me not!"</p> + +<p>"I say so: but it remains to me to tell you that from motives +which outweighed everything else, motives which I do not know, I +understand that Nicholas Korpanoff had to traverse the country +completely in secret. + To him it was a question of life and death, and still more, a +question of duty and honor."</p> + +<p>"Duty, indeed, imperious duty," said the old Siberian, "of +those who sacrifice everything, even the joy of giving a kiss, +perhaps the last, to his old mother. All that you do not know, +Nadia--all that I did not know myself--I now know. + You have made me understand everything. But the light which you +have thrown on the mysteries of my heart, I cannot return on +yours. + Since my son has not told you his secret, I must keep it. + Forgive me, Nadia; I can never repay what you have done for +me."</p> + +<p>"Mother, I ask you nothing," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>All was thus explained to the old Siberian, all, even the +conduct of her son with regard to herself in the inn at Omsk. +There was no doubt that the young girl's companion was Michael +Strogoff, and that a secret mission in the invaded country +obliged him to conceal his quality of the Czar's courier.</p> + +<p>"Ah, my brave boy!" thought Marfa. "No, I will not betray you, +and tortures shall not wrest from me the avowal that it was you +whom I saw at Omsk."</p> + +<p>Marfa could with a word have paid Nadia for all her devotion +to her. + She could have told her that her companion, Nicholas Korpanoff, +or rather Michael Strogoff, had not perished in the waters of the +Irtych, since it was some days after that incident that she had +met him, that she had spoken to him.</p> + +<p>But she restrained herself, she was silent, and contented +herself with saying, "Hope, my child! Misfortune will not +overwhelm you. + You will see your father again; I feel it; and perhaps he who +gave you the name of sister is not dead. God cannot have allowed +your brave companion to perish. Hope, my child, hope! Do as I +do. + The mourning which I wear is not yet for my son."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER III BLOW FOR BLOW</h2> + +<p>SUCH were now the relative situations of Marfa Strogoff and +Nadia. All was understood by the old Siberian, and though the +young girl was ignorant that her much-regretted companion still +lived, she at least knew his relationship to her whom she had +made her mother; and she thanked God for having given her the joy +of taking the place of the son whom the prisoner had lost.</p> + +<p>But what neither of them could know was that Michael, having +been captured at Kolyvan, was in the same convoy and was on his +way to Tomsk with them.</p> + +<p>The prisoners brought by Ivan Ogareff had been added to those +already kept by the Emir in the Tartar camp. These unfortunate +people, consisting of Russians, Siberians, soldiers and +civilians, numbered some thousands, and formed a column which +extended over several versts. Some among them being considered +dangerous were handcuffed and fastened to a long chain. + There were, too, women and children, many of the latter +suspended to the pommels of the saddles, while the former were +dragged mercilessly along the road on foot, or driven forward as +if they were animals. + The horsemen compelled them to maintain a certain order, and +there were no laggards with the exception of those who fell never +to rise again.</p> + +<p> + In consequence of this arrangement, Michael Strogoff, marching +in the first ranks of those who had left the Tartar camp-- that +is to say, among the Kolyvan prisoners--was unable to mingle with +the prisoners who had arrived after him from Omsk. He had +therefore no suspicion that his mother and Nadia were present in +the convoy, nor did they suppose that he was among those in +front. + This journey from the camp to Tomsk, performed under the lashes +and spear-points of the soldiers, proved fatal to many, and +terrible to all. + The prisoners traveled across the steppe, over a road made still +more dusty by the passage of the Emir and his vanguard. + Orders had been given to march rapidly. The short halts were +rare. + The hundred miles under a burning sky seemed interminable, +though they were performed as rapidly as possible.</p> + +<p>The country, which extends from the right of the Obi to the +base of the spur detached from the Sayanok Mountains, is very +sterile. Only a few stunted and burnt-up shrubs here and there +break the monotony of the immense plain. + There was no cultivation, for there was no water; and it was +water that the prisoners, parched by their painful march, most +needed. + To find a stream they must have diverged fifty versts eastward, +to the very foot of the mountains.</p> + +<p>There flows the Tom, a little affluent of the Obi, which +passes near Tomsk before losing itself in one of the great +northern arteries. + There water would have been abundant, the steppe less arid, the +heat less severe. But the strictest orders had been given to the +commanders of the convoy to reach Tomsk by the shortest way, for +the Emir was much afraid of being taken in the flank and cut off +by some Russian column descending from the northern +provinces.</p> + +<p>It is useless to dwell upon the sufferings of the unhappy +prisoners. + Many hundreds fell on the steppe, where their bodies would lie +until winter, when the wolves would devour the remnants of their +bones.</p> + +<p>As Nadia helped the old Siberian, so in the same way did +Michael render to his more feeble companions in misfortune such +services as his situation allowed. He encouraged some, supported +others, going to and fro, until a prick from a soldier's lance +obliged him to r‚sum‚ the place which had been assigned +him in the ranks.</p> + +<p>Why did he not endeavor to escape?</p> + +<p>The reason was that he had now quite determined not to venture +until the steppe was safe for him. He was resolved in his idea of +going as far as Tomsk "at the Emir's expense," and indeed he was +right. + As he observed the numerous detachments which scoured the plain +on the convoy's flanks, now to the south, now to the north, it +was evident that before he could have gone two versts he must +have been recaptured. The Tartar horsemen swarmed-- it actually +appeared as if they sprang from the earth--like insects which a +thunderstorm brings to the surface of the ground. + Flight under these conditions would have been extremely +difficult, if not impossible. The soldiers of the escort +displayed excessive vigilance, for they would have paid for the +slightest carelessness with their heads.</p> + +<p>At nightfall of the 15th of August, the convoy reached the +little village of Zabediero, thirty versts from Tomsk.</p> + +<p>The prisoners' first movement would have been to rush into the +river, but they were not allowed to leave the ranks until the +halt had been organized. Although the current of the Tom was just +now like a torrent, it might have favored the flight of some bold +or desperate man, and the strictest measures of vigilance were +taken. Boats, requisitioned at Zabediero, were brought up to the +Tom and formed a line of obstacles impossible to pass. + As to the encampment on the outskirts of the village, it was +guarded by a cordon of sentinels.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, who now naturally thought of escape, saw, +after carefully surveying the situation, that under these +conditions it was perfectly impossible; so, not wishing to +compromise himself, he waited.</p> + +<p>The prisoners were to encamp for the whole night on the banks +of the Tom, for the Emir had put off the entrance of his troops +into Tomsk. It had been decided that a military fete should mark +the inauguration of the Tartar headquarters in this important +city. + Feofar-Khan already occupied the fortress, but the bulk of his +army bivouacked under its walls, waiting until the time came for +them to make a solemn entry.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff left the Emir at Tomsk, where both had arrived +the evening before, and returned to the camp at Zabediero. From +here he was to start the next day with the rear-guard of the +Tartar army. + A house had been arranged for him in which to pass the +night. + At sunrise horse and foot soldiers were to proceed to Tomsk, +where the Emir wished to receive them with the pomp usual to +Asiatic sovereigns. As soon as the halt was organized, the +prisoners, worn out with their three days' journey, and suffering +from burning thirst, could drink and take a little rest. + The sun had already set, when Nadia, supporting Marfa Strogoff, +reached the banks of the Tom. They had not till then been able to +get through those who crowded the banks, but at last they came to +drink in their turn.</p> + +<p>The old woman bent over the clear stream, and Nadia, plunging +in her hand, carried it to Marfa's lips. Then she refreshed +herself. + They found new life in these welcome waters. Suddenly Nadia +started up; an involuntary cry escaped her.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was there, a few steps from her. It was +he. + The dying rays of the sun fell upon him.</p> + +<p>At Nadia's cry Michael started. But he had sufficient command +over himself not to utter a word by which he might have been +compromised. + And yet, when he saw Nadia, he also recognized his mother.</p> + +<p>Feeling he could not long keep master of himself at this +unexpected meeting, he covered his eyes with his hands and walked +quickly away.</p> + +<p>Nadia's impulse was to run after him, but the old Siberian +murmured in her ear, "Stay, my daughter!"</p> + +<p>"It is he!" replied Nadia, choking with emotion. "He lives, +mother! + It is he!"</p> + +<p>"It is my son," answered Marfa, "it is Michael Strogoff, and +you see that I do not make a step towards him! + Imitate me, my daughter."</p> + +<p>Michael had just experienced the most violent emotion which a +man can feel. His mother and Nadia were there!</p> + +<p>The two prisoners who were always together in his heart, God +had brought them together in this common misfortune. + Did Nadia know who he was? Yes, for he had seen Marfa's gesture, +holding her back as she was about to rush towards him. + Marfa, then, had understood all, and kept his secret.</p> + +<p>During that night, Michael was twenty times on the point of +looking for and joining his mother; but he knew that he must +resist the longing he felt to take her in his arms, and once more +press the hand of his young companion. The least imprudence might +be fatal. He had besides sworn not to see his mother. + Once at Tomsk, since he could not escape this very night, he +would set off without having even embraced the two beings in whom +all the happiness of his life was centered, and whom he should +leave exposed to so many perils.</p> + +<p>Michael hoped that this fresh meeting at the Zabediero camp +would have no disastrous consequences either to his mother or to +himself. + But he did not know that part of this scene, although it passed +so rapidly, had been observed by Sangarre, Ogareff's spy.</p> + +<p>The Tsigane was there, a few paces off, on the bank, as usual, +watching the old Siberian woman. She had not caught sight of +Michael, for he disappeared before she had time to look around; +but the mother's gesture as she kept back Nadia had not escaped +her, and the look in Marfa's eyes told her all.</p> + +<p>It was now beyond doubt that Marfa Strogoff's son, the Czar's +courier, was at this moment in Zabediero, among Ivan Ogareff's +prisoners. + Sangarre did not know him, but she knew that he was there. + She did not then attempt to discover him, for it would have been +impossible in the dark and the immense crowd.</p> + +<p>As for again watching Nadia and Marfa Strogoff, that was +equally useless. + It was evident that the two women would keep on their guard, and +it would be impossible to overhear anything of a nature to +compromise the courier of the Czar. The Tsigane's first thought +was to tell Ivan Ogareff. She therefore immediately left the +encampment. + A quarter of an hour after, she reached Zabediero, and was shown +into the house occupied by the Emir's lieutenant. Ogareff +received the Tsigane directly.</p> + +<p>"What have you to tell me, Sangarre?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Marfa Strogoff's son is in the encampment."</p> + +<p>"A prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"A prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Ogareff, "I shall know--"</p> + +<p>"You will know nothing, Ivan," replied Tsigane; "for you do +not even know him by sight."</p> + +<p>"But you know him; you have seen him, Sangarre?"</p> + +<p>"I have not seen him; but his mother betrayed herself by a +gesture, which told me everything."</p> + +<p>"Are you not mistaken?"</p> + +<p>"I am not mistaken."</p> + +<p>"You know the importance which I attach to the apprehension of +this courier," said Ivan Ogareff. "If the letter which he has +brought from Moscow reaches Irkutsk, if it is given to the Grand +Duke, the Grand Duke will be on his guard, and I shall not be +able to get at him. I must have that letter at any price. + Now you come to tell me that the bearer of this letter is in my +power. + I repeat, Sangarre, are you not mistaken?"</p> + +<p>Ogareff spoke with great animation. His emotion showed the +extreme importance he attached to the possession of this letter. +Sangarre was not at all put out by the urgency with which Ogareff +repeated his question. + "I am not mistaken, Ivan," she said.</p> + +<p>"But, Sangarre, there are thousands of prisoners; and you say +that you do not know Michael Strogoff."</p> + +<p>"No," answered the Tsigane, with a look of savage joy, "I do +not know him; but his mother knows him. Ivan, we must make his +mother speak."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow she shall speak!" cried Ogareff. So saying, he +extended his hand to the Tsigane, who kissed it; for there is +nothing servile in this act of respect, it being usual among the +Northern races.</p> + +<p>Sangarre returned to the camp. She found out Nadia and Marfa +Strogoff, and passed the night in watching them. + Although worn out with fatigue, the old woman and the girl did +not sleep. Their great anxiety kept them awake. + Michael was living, but a prisoner. Did Ogareff know him, or +would he not soon find him out? Nadia was occupied by the one +thought that he whom she had thought dead still lived. + But Marfa saw further into the future: and, although she did not +care what became of herself, she had every reason to fear for her +son.</p> + +<p>Sangarre, under cover of the night, had crept near the two +women, and remained there several hours listening. She heard +nothing. + From an instinctive feeling of prudence not a word was exchanged +between Nadia and Marfa Strogoff. The next day, the 16th of +August, about ten in the morning, trumpet-calls resounded +throughout the encampment. + The Tartar soldiers were almost immediately under arms.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff arrived, surrounded by a large staff of Tartar +officers. + His face was more clouded than usual, and his knitted brow gave +signs of latent wrath which was waiting for an occasion to break +forth.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, hidden in a group of prisoners, saw this man +pass. + He had a presentiment that some catastrophe was imminent: for +Ivan Ogareff knew now that Marfa was the mother of Michael +Strogoff.</p> + +<p>Ogareff dismounted, and his escort cleared a large circle +round him. + Just then Sangarre approached him, and said, "I have no +news."</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff's only reply was to give an order to one of his +officers. + Then the ranks of prisoners were brutally hurried up by the +soldiers. + The unfortunate people, driven on with whips, or pushed on with +lances, arranged themselves round the camp. A strong guard of +soldiers drawn up behind, rendered escape impossible.</p> + +<p>Silence then ensued, and, on a sign from Ivan Ogareff, +Sangarre advanced towards the group, in the midst of which stood +Marfa.</p> + +<p>The old Siberian saw her, and knew what was going to +happen. + A scornful smile passed over her face. Then leaning towards +Nadia, she said in a low tone, "You know me no longer, my +daughter. + Whatever may happen, and however hard this trial may be, not a +word, not a sign. It concerns him, and not me."</p> + +<p>At that moment Sangarre, having regarded her for an instant, +put her hand on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with me?" said Marfa.</p> + +<p>"Come!" replied Sangarre, and pushing the old Siberian before +her, she took her to Ivan Ogareff, in the middle of the cleared +ground. + Michael cast down his eyes that their angry flashings might not +appear.</p> + +<p>Marfa, standing before Ivan Ogareff, drew herself up, crossed +her arms on her breast, and waited.</p> + +<p>"You are Marfa Strogoff?" asked Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the old Siberian calmly.</p> + +<p>"Do you retract what you said to me when, three days ago, I +interrogated you at Omsk?"</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>"Then you do not know that your son, Michael Strogoff, courier +of the Czar, has passed through Omsk?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know it."</p> + +<p>"And the man in whom you thought you recognized your son, was +not he your son?"</p> + +<p>"He was not my son."</p> + +<p>"And since then you have not seen him amongst the +prisoners?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"If he were pointed out, would you recognize him?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>On this reply, which showed such determined resolution, a +murmur was heard amongst the crowd.</p> + +<p>Ogareff could not restrain a threatening gesture.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said he to Marfa, "your son is here, and you shall +immediately point him out to me."</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"All these men, taken at Omsk and Kolyvan, will defile before +you; and if you do not show me Michael Strogoff, you shall +receive as many blows of the knout as men shall have passed +before you."</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff saw that, whatever might be his threats, whatever +might be the tortures to which he submitted her, the indomitable +Siberian would not speak. To discover the courier of the Czar, he +counted, then, not on her, but on Michael himself. + He did not believe it possible that, when mother and son were in +each other's presence, some involuntary movement would not betray +him. + Of course, had he wished to seize the imperial letter, he would +simply have given orders to search all the prisoners; but Michael +might have destroyed the letter, having learnt its contents; and +if he were not recognized, if he were to reach Irkutsk, all Ivan +Ogareff's plans would be baffled. + It was thus not only the letter which the traitor must have, but +the bearer himself.</p> + +<p>Nadia had heard all, and she now knew who was Michael +Strogoff, and why he had wished to cross, without being +recognized, the invaded provinces of Siberia.</p> + +<p>On an order from Ivan Ogareff the prisoners defiled, one by +one, past Marfa, who remained immovable as a statue, and whose +face expressed only perfect indifference.</p> + +<p>Her son was among the last. When in his turn he passed before +his mother, Nadia shut her eyes that she might not see him. + Michael was to all appearance unmoved, but the palm of his hand +bled under his nails, which were pressed into them.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff was baffled by mother and son.</p> + +<p>Sangarre, close to him, said one word, "The knout!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," cried Ogareff, who could no longer restrain himself; +"the knout for this wretched old woman--the knout to the +death!"</p> + +<p>A Tartar soldier bearing this terrible instrument of torture +approached Marfa. The knout is composed of a certain number of +leathern thongs, at the end of which are attached pieces of +twisted iron wire. + It is reckoned that a sentence to one hundred and twenty blows +of this whip is equivalent to a sentence of death.</p> + +<p>Marfa knew it, but she knew also that no torture would make +her speak. + She was sacrificing her life.</p> + +<p>Marfa, seized by two soldiers, was forced on her knees on the +ground. Her dress torn off left her back bare. + A saber was placed before her breast, at a few inches' distance +only. + Directly she bent beneath her suffering, her breast would be +pierced by the sharp steel.</p> + +<p>The Tartar drew himself up. He waited. "Begin!" said Ogareff. +The whip whistled in the air.</p> + +<p>But before it fell a powerful hand stopped the Tartar's +arm. + Michael was there. He had leapt forward at this horrible +scene. + If at the relay at Ichim he had restrained himself when +Ogareff's whip had struck him, here before his mother, who was +about to be struck, he could not do so. Ivan Ogareff had +succeeded.</p> + +<p>"Michael Strogoff!" cried he. Then advancing, "Ah, the man of +Ichim?"</p> + +<p>"Himself!" said Michael. And raising the knout he struck +Ogareff a sharp blow across the face. "Blow for blow!" said +he.</p> + +<p>"Well repaid!" cried a voice concealed by the tumult.</p> + +<p>Twenty soldiers threw themselves on Michael, and in another +instant he would have been slain.</p> + +<p>But Ogareff, who on being struck had uttered a cry of rage and +pain, stopped them. "This man is reserved for the Emir's +judgment," + said he. "Search him!"</p> + +<p>The letter with the imperial arms was found in Michael's +bosom; he had not had time to destroy it; it was handed to +Ogareff.</p> + +<p>The voice which had pronounced the words, "Well repaid!" + was that of no other than Alcide Jolivet. "Par-dieu!" said he to +Blount, "they are rough, these people. + Acknowledge that we owe our traveling companion a good turn. + Korpanoff or Strogoff is worthy of it. Oh, that was fine +retaliation for the little affair at Ichim."</p> + +<p>"Yes, retaliation truly," replied Blount; "but Strogoff is a +dead man. + I suspect that, for his own interest at all events, it would +have been better had he not possessed quite so lively a +recollection of the event."</p> + +<p>"And let his mother perish under the knout?"</p> + +<p>"Do you think that either she or his sister will be a bit +better off from this outbreak of his?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know or think anything except that I should have +done much the same in his position," replied Alcide. "What a scar +the Colonel has received! Bah! one must boil over sometimes. + We should have had water in our veins instead of blood had it +been incumbent on us to be always and everywhere unmoved to +wrath."</p> + +<p>"A neat little incident for our journals," observed Blount, +"if only Ivan Ogareff would let us know the contents of that +letter."</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff, when he had stanched the blood which was +trickling down his face, had broken the seal. He read and re-read +the letter deliberately, as if he was determined to discover +everything it contained.</p> + +<p>Then having ordered that Michael, carefully bound and guarded, +should be carried on to Tomsk with the other prisoners, he took +command of the troops at Zabediero, and, amid the deafening noise +of drums and trumpets, he marched towards the town where the Emir +awaited him.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER IV THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY</h2> + +<p>TOMSK, founded in 1604, nearly in the heart of the Siberian +provinces, is one of the most important towns in Asiatic Russia. +Tobolsk, situated above the sixtieth parallel; Irkutsk, built +beyond the hundredth meridian-- have seen Tomsk increase at their +expense.</p> + +<p>And yet Tomsk, as has been said, is not the capital of this +important province. It is at Omsk that the Governor-General of +the province and the official world reside. But Tomsk is the most +considerable town of that territory. The country being rich, the +town is so likewise, for it is in the center of fruitful mines. +In the luxury of its houses, its arrangements, and its equipages, +it might rival the greatest European capitals. + It is a city of millionaires, enriched by the spade and pickax, +and though it has not the honor of being the residence of the +Czar's representative, it can boast of including in the first +rank of its notables the chief of the merchants of the town, the +principal grantees of the imperial government's mines.</p> + +<p>But the millionaires were fled now, and except for the +crouching poor, the town stood empty to the hordes of +Feofar-Khan. At four o'clock the Emir made his entry into the +square, greeted by a flourish of trumpets, the rolling sound of +the big drums, salvoes of artillery and musketry.</p> + +<p> + Feofar mounted his favorite horse, which carried on its head an +aigrette of diamonds. The Emir still wore his uniform. + He was accompanied by a numerous staff, and beside him walked +the Khans of Khokhand and Koundouge and the grand dignitaries of +the Khanats.</p> + +<p>At the same moment appeared on the terrace the chief of +Feofar's wives, the queen, if this title may be given to the +sultana of the states of Bokhara. But, queen or slave, this woman +of Persian origin was wonderfully beautiful. + Contrary to the Mahometan custom, and no doubt by some caprice +of the Emir, she had her face uncovered. Her hair, divided into +four plaits, fell over her dazzling white shoulders, scarcely +concealed by a veil of silk worked in gold, which fell from the +back of a cap studded with gems of the highest value. + Under her blue-silk petticoat, fell the "zirdjameh" of silken +gauze, and above the sash lay the "pirahn." But from the head to +the little feet, such was the profusion of jewels-- gold beads +strung on silver threads, chaplets of turquoises, "firouzehs" +from the celebrated mines of Elbourz, necklaces of cornelians, +agates, emeralds, opals, and sapphires-- that her dress seemed to +be literally made of precious stones. + The thousands of diamonds which sparkled on her neck, arms, +hands, at her waist, and at her feet might have been valued at +almost countless millions of roubles.</p> + +<p>The Emir and the Khans dismounted, as did the dignitaries who +escorted them. All entered a magnificent tent erected on the +center of the first terrace. Before the tent, as usual, the Koran +was laid.</p> + +<p>Feofar's lieutenant did not make them wait, and before five +o'clock the trumpets announced his arrival. Ivan Ogareff-- the +Scarred Cheek, as he was already nick-named--wearing the uniform +of a Tartar officer, dismounted before the Emir's tent. + He was accompanied by a party of soldiers from the camp at +Zabediero, who ranged up at the sides of the square, in the +middle of which a place for the sports was reserved. + A large scar could be distinctly seen cut obliquely across the +traitor's face.</p> + +<p>Ogareff presented his principal officers to the Emir, who, +without departing from the coldness which composed the main part +of his dignity, received them in a way which satisfied them that +they stood well in the good graces of their chief.</p> + +<p>At least so thought Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet, the two +inseparables, now associated together in the chase after +news. + After leaving Zabediero, they had proceeded rapidly to Tomsk. +The plan they had agreed upon was to leave the Tartars as soon as +possible, and to join a Russian regiment, and, if they could, to +go with them to Irkutsk. All that they had seen of the invasion, +its burnings, its pillages, its murders, had perfectly sickened +them, and they longed to be among the ranks of the Siberian +army. + Jolivet had told his companion that he could not leave Tomsk +without making a sketch of the triumphal entry of the Tartar +troops, if it was only to satisfy his cousin's curiosity; but the +same evening they both intended to take the road to Irkutsk, and +being well mounted hoped to distance the Emir's scouts.</p> + +<p>Alcide and Blount mingled therefore in the crowd, so as to +lose no detail of a festival which ought to supply them with a +hundred good lines for an article. They admired the magnificence +of Feofar-Khan, his wives, his officers, his guards, and all the +Eastern pomp, of which the ceremonies of Europe can give not the +least idea. + But they turned away with disgust when Ivan Ogareff presented +himself before the Emir, and waited with some impatience for the +amusements to begin.</p> + +<p>"You see, my dear Blount," said Alcide, "we have come too +soon, like honest citizens who like to get their money's +worth. + All this is before the curtain rises, it would have been better +to arrive only for the ballet."</p> + +<p>"What ballet?" asked Blount.</p> + +<p>"The compulsory ballet, to be sure. But see, the curtain is +going to rise." Alcide Jolivet spoke as if he had been at the +Opera, and taking his glass from its case, he prepared, with the +air of a connoisseur, "to examine the first act of Feofar's +company."</p> + +<p>A painful ceremony was to precede the sports. In fact, the +triumph of the vanquisher could not be complete without the +public humiliation of the vanquished. This was why several +hundreds of prisoners were brought under the soldiers' whips. + They were destined to march past Feofar-Khan and his allies +before being crammed with their companions into the prisons in +the town.</p> + +<p>In the first ranks of these prisoners figured Michael +Strogoff. + As Ogareff had ordered, he was specially guarded by a file of +soldiers. + His mother and Nadia were there also.</p> + +<p>The old Siberian, although energetic enough when her own +safety was in question, was frightfully pale. She expected some +terrible scene. It was not without reason that her son had been +brought before the Emir. She therefore trembled for him. + Ivan Ogareff was not a man to forgive having been struck in +public by the knout, and his vengeance would be merciless. + Some frightful punishment familiar to the barbarians of Central +Asia would, no doubt, be inflicted on Michael. Ogareff had +protected him against the soldiers because he well knew what +would happen by reserving him for the justice of the Emir.</p> + +<p>The mother and son had not been able to speak together since +the terrible scene in the camp at Zabediero. They had been +pitilessly kept apart--a bitter aggravation of their misery, for +it would have been some consolation to have been together during +these days of captivity. Marfa longed to ask her son's pardon for +the harm she had unintentionally done him, for she reproached +herself with not having commanded her maternal feelings. + If she had restrained herself in that post-house at Omsk, when +she found herself face to face with him, Michael would have +passed unrecognized, and all these misfortunes would have been +avoided.</p> + +<p>Michael, on his side, thought that if his mother was there, if +Ogareff had brought her with him, it was to make her suffer with +the sight of his own punishment, or perhaps some frightful death +was reserved for her also.</p> + +<p>As to Nadia, she only asked herself how she could save them +both, how come to the aid of son and mother. + As yet she could only wonder, but she felt instinctively that +she must above everything avoid drawing attention upon herself, +that she must conceal herself, make herself insignificant. + Perhaps she might at least gnaw through the meshes which +imprisoned the lion. At any rate if any opportunity was given her +she would seize upon it, and sacrifice herself, if need be, for +the son of Marfa Strogoff.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the greater part of the prisoners were passing +before the Emir, and as they passed each was obliged to prostrate +himself, with his forehead in the dust, in token of servitude. +Slavery begins by humiliation. When the unfortunate people were +too slow in bending, the rough guards threw them violently to the +ground.</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet and his companion could not witness such a +sight without feeling indignant.</p> + +<p>"It is cowardly--let us go," said Alcide.</p> + +<p>"No," answered Blount; "we must see it all."</p> + +<p>"See it all!--ah!" cried Alcide, suddenly, grasping his +companion's arm.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you?" asked the latter.</p> + +<p>"Look, Blount; it is she!"</p> + +<p>"What she?"</p> + +<p>"The sister of our traveling companion--alone, and a +prisoner! + We must save her."</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself," replied Blount coolly. "Any interference on +our part in behalf of the young girl would be worse than +useless."</p> + +<p>Alcide Jolivet, who had been about to rush forward, stopped, +and Nadia-- who had not perceived them, her features being half +hidden by her hair-- passed in her turn before the Emir without +attracting his attention.</p> + +<p>However, after Nadia came Marfa Strogoff; and as she did not +throw herself quickly in the dust, the guards brutally pushed +her. + She fell.</p> + +<p>Her son struggled so violently that the soldiers who were +guarding him could scarcely hold him back. But the old woman +rose, and they were about to drag her on, when Ogareff +interposed, saying, "Let that woman stay!"</p> + +<p>As to Nadia, she happily regained the crowd of prisoners. + Ivan Ogareff had taken no notice of her.</p> + +<p>Michael was then led before the Emir, and there he remained +standing, without casting down his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Your forehead to the ground!" cried Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"No!" answered Michael.</p> + +<p>Two soldiers endeavored to make him bend, but they were +themselves laid on the ground by a buffet from the young man's +fist.</p> + +<p>Ogareff approached Michael. "You shall die!" he said.</p> + +<p>"I can die," answered Michael fiercely; "but your traitor's +face, Ivan, will not the less carry forever the infamous brand of +the knout."</p> + +<p>At this reply Ivan Ogareff became perfectly livid.</p> + +<p>"Who is this prisoner?" asked the Emir, in a tone of voice +terrible from its very calmness.</p> + +<p>"A Russian spy," answered Ogareff. In asserting that Michael +was a spy he knew that the sentence pronounced against him would +be terrible.</p> + +<p>The Emir made a sign at which all the crowd bent low their +heads. + Then he pointed with his hand to the Koran, which was brought +him. + He opened the sacred book and placed his finger on one of its +pages.</p> + +<p>It was chance, or rather, according to the ideas of these +Orientals, God Himself who was about to decide the fate of +Michael Strogoff. The people of Central Asia give the name of +"fal" to this practice. After having interpreted the sense of the +verse touched by the judge's finger, they apply the sentence +whatever it may be.</p> + +<p>The Emir had let his finger rest on the page of the Koran. The +chief of the Ulemas then approached, and read in a loud voice a +verse which ended with these words, "And he will no more see the +things of this earth."</p> + +<p>"Russian spy!" exclaimed Feofar-Kahn in a voice trembling with +fury, "you have come to see what is going on in the Tartar +camp. + Then look while you may."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER V "LOOK WHILE YOU MAY!"</h2> + +<p>MICHAEL was held before the Emir's throne, at the foot of the +terrace, his hands bound behind his back. + His mother overcome at last by mental and physical torture, had +sunk to the ground, daring neither to look nor listen.</p> + +<p>"Look while you may," exclaimed Feofar-Kahn, stretching his +arm towards Michael in a threatening manner. Doubtless Ivan +Ogareff, being well acquainted with Tartar customs, had taken in +the full meaning of these words, for his lips curled for an +instant in a cruel smile; he then took his place by +Feofar-Khan.</p> + +<p>A trumpet call was heard. This was the signal for the +amusements to begin. "Here comes the ballet," said Alcide to +Blount; "but, contrary to our customs, these barbarians give it +before the drama."</p> + +<p>Michael had been commanded to look at everything. He +looked. + A troop of dancers poured into the open space before the Emir's +tent. + Different Tartar instruments, the "doutare," a long-handled +guitar, the "kobize," a kind of violoncello, the "tschibyzga," a +long reed flute; wind instruments, tom-toms, tambourines, united +with the deep voices of the singers, formed a strange +harmony. + Added to this were the strains of an aerial orchestra, composed +of a dozen kites, which, fastened by strings to their centers, +resounded in the breeze like AEolian harps.</p> + +<p> + Then the dancers began. The performers were all of Persian +origin; they were no longer slaves, but exercised their +profession at liberty. + Formerly they figured officially in the ceremonies at the court +of Teheran, but since the accession of the reigning family, +banished or treated with contempt, they had been compelled to +seek their fortune elsewhere. They wore the national costume, and +were adorned with a profusion of jewels. Little triangles of +gold, studded with jewels, glittered in their ears. Circles of +silver, marked with black, surrounded their necks and legs.</p> + +<p>These performers gracefully executed various dances, sometimes +alone, sometimes in groups. Their faces were uncovered, but from +time to time they threw a light veil over their heads, and a +gauze cloud passed over their bright eyes as smoke over a starry +sky. + Some of these Persians wore leathern belts embroidered with +pearls, from which hung little triangular bags. + From these bags, embroidered with golden filigree, they drew +long narrow bands of scarlet silk, on which were braided verses +of the Koran. These bands, which they held between them, formed a +belt under which the other dancers darted; and, as they passed +each verse, following the precept it contained, they either +prostrated themselves on the earth or lightly bounded upwards, as +though to take a place among the houris of Mohammed's heaven.</p> + +<p>But what was remarkable, and what struck Alcide, was that the +Persians appeared rather indolent than fiery. + Their passion had deserted them, and, by the kind of dances as +well as by their execution, they recalled rather the calm and +self-possessed nauch girls of India than the impassioned dancers +of Egypt.</p> + +<p>When this was over, a stern voice was heard saying:</p> + +<p>"Look while you may!"</p> + +<p>The man who repeated the Emir's words--a tall spare Tartar-- +was he who carried out the sentences of Feofar-Khan against +offenders. + He had taken his place behind Michael, holding in his hand a +broad curved saber, one of those Damascene blades which are +forged by the celebrated armorers of Karschi or Hissar.</p> + +<p>Behind him guards were carrying a tripod supporting a +chafing-dish filled with live coals. No smoke arose from this, +but a light vapor surrounded it, due to the incineration of a +certain aromatic and resinous substance which he had thrown on +the surface.</p> + +<p>The Persians were succeeded by another party of dancers, whom +Michael recognized. The journalists also appeared to recognize +them, for Blount said to his companion, "These are the Tsiganes +of Nijni-Novgorod."</p> + +<p>"No doubt of it," cried Alcide. "Their eyes, I imagine, bring +more money to these spies than their legs."</p> + +<p>In putting them down as agents in the Emir's service, Alcide +Jolivet was, by all accounts, not mistaken.</p> + +<p>In the first rank of the Tsiganes, Sangarre appeared, superb +in her strange and picturesque costume, which set off still +further her remarkable beauty.</p> + +<p>Sangarre did not dance, but she stood as a statue in the midst +of the performers, whose style of dancing was a combination of +that of all those countries through which their race had +passed--Turkey, Bohemia, Egypt, Italy, and Spain. They were +enlivened by the sound of cymbals, which clashed on their arms, +and by the hollow sounds of the "daires"--a sort of tambourine +played with the fingers.</p> + +<p>Sangarre, holding one of those daires, which she played +between her hands, encouraged this troupe of veritable +corybantes. + A young Tsigane, of about fifteen years of age, then +advanced. + He held in his hand a "doutare," strings of which he made to +vibrate by a simple movement of the nails. He sung. + During the singing of each couplet, of very peculiar rhythm, a +dancer took her position by him and remained there immovable, +listening to him, but each time that the burden came from the +lips of the young singer, she resumed her dance, dinning in his +ears with her daire, and deafening him with the clashing of her +cymbals. + Then, after the last chorus, the remainder surrounded the +Tsigane in the windings of their dance.</p> + +<p>At that moment a shower of gold fell from the hands of the +Emir and his train, and from the hands of his officers of all +ranks; to the noise which the pieces made as they struck the +cymbals of the dancers, being added the last murmurs of the +doutares and tambourines.</p> + +<p>"Lavish as robbers," said Alcide in the ear of his +companion. + And in fact it was the result of plunder which was falling; for, +with the Tartar tomans and sequins, rained also Russian ducats +and roubles.</p> + +<p>Then silence followed for an instant, and the voice of the +executioner, who laid his hand on Michael's shoulder, once more +pronounced the words, which this repetition rendered more and +more sinister:</p> + +<p>"Look while you may"</p> + +<p>But this time Alcide observed that the executioner no longer +held the saber bare in his hand.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the sun had sunk behind the horizon. A +semi-obscurity began to envelop the plain. The mass of cedars and +pines became blacker and blacker, and the waters of the Tom, +totally obscured in the distance, mingled with the approaching +shadows.</p> + +<p>But at that instant several hundreds of slaves, bearing +lighted torches, entered the square. Led by Sangarre, Tsiganes +and Persians reappeared before the Emir's throne, and showed off, +by the contrast, their dances of styles so different. + The instruments of the Tartar orchestra sounded forth in harmony +still more savage, accompanied by the guttural cries of the +singers. + The kites, which had fallen to the ground, once more winged +their way into the sky, each bearing a parti-colored lantern, and +under a fresher breeze their harps vibrated with intenser sound +in the midst of the aerial illumination.</p> + +<p>Then a squadron of Tartars, in their brilliant uniforms, +mingled in the dances, whose wild fury was increasing rapidly, +and then began a performance which produced a very strange +effect. + Soldiers came on the ground, armed with bare sabers and long +pistols, and, as they executed dances, they made the air re-echo +with the sudden detonations of their firearms, which immediately +set going the rumbling of the tambourines, and grumblings of the +daires, and the gnashing of doutares.</p> + +<p>Their arms, covered with a colored powder of some metallic +ingredient, after the Chinese fashion, threw long jets--red, +green, and blue-- so that the groups of dancers seemed to be in +the midst of fireworks. + In some respects, this performance recalled the military dance +of the ancients, in the midst of naked swords; but this Tartar +dance was rendered yet more fantastic by the colored fire, which +wound, serpent-like, above the dancers, whose dresses seemed to +be embroidered with fiery hems. It was like a kaleidoscope of +sparks, whose infinite combinations varied at each movement of +the dancers.</p> + +<p>Though it may be thought that a Parisian reporter would be +perfectly hardened to any scenic effect, which our modern ideas +have carried so far, yet Alcide Jolivet could not restrain a +slight movement of the head, which at home, between the Boulevard +Montmartre and La Madeleine would have said--"Very fair, very +fair."</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, at a signal, all the lights of the fantasia +were extinguished, the dances ceased, and the performers +disappeared. + The ceremony was over, and the torches alone lighted up the +plateau, which a few instants before had been so brilliantly +illuminated.</p> + +<p>On a sign from the Emir, Michael was led into the middle of +the square.</p> + +<p>"Blount," said Alcide to his companion, "are you going to see +the end of all this?"</p> + +<p>"No, that I am not," replied Blount.</p> + +<p>"The readers of the Daily Telegraph are, I hope, not very +eager for the details of an execution a la mode Tartare?"</p> + +<p>"No more than your cousin!"</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" added Alcide, as he watched Michael. "That +valiant soldier should have fallen on the field of battle!"</p> + +<p>"Can we do nothing to save him?" said Blount.</p> + +<p>"Nothing!"</p> + +<p>The reporters recalled Michael's generous conduct towards +them; they knew now through what trials he must have passed, ever +obedient to his duty; and in the midst of these Tartars, to whom +pity is unknown, they could do nothing for him. + Having little desire to be present at the torture reserved for +the unfortunate man, they returned to the town. + An hour later, they were on the road to Irkutsk, for it was +among the Russians that they intended to follow what Alcide +called, by anticipation, "the campaign of revenge."</p> + +<p>Meantime, Michael was standing ready, his eyes returning the +Emir's haughty glance, while his countenance assumed an +expression of intense scorn whenever he cast his looks on Ivan +Ogareff. He was prepared to die, yet not a single sign of +weakness escaped him.</p> + +<p>The spectators, waiting around the square, as well as +Feofar-Khan's body-guard, to whom this execution was only one of +the attractions, were eagerly expecting it. Then, their curiosity +satisfied, they would rush off to enjoy the pleasures of +intoxication.</p> + +<p>The Emir made a sign. Michael was thrust forward by his guards +to the foot of the terrace, and Feofar said to him, "You came to +see our goings out and comings in, Russian spy. + You have seen for the last time. In an instant your eyes will be +forever shut to the day."</p> + +<p>Michael's fate was to be not death, but blindness; loss of +sight, more terrible perhaps than loss of life. + The unhappy man was condemned to be blinded.</p> + +<p>However, on hearing the Emir's sentence Michael's heart did +not grow faint. He remained unmoved, his eyes wide open, as +though he wished to concentrate his whole life into one last +look. + To entreat pity from these savage men would be useless, besides, +it would be unworthy of him. He did not even think of it. + His thoughts were condensed on his mission, which had apparently +so completely failed; on his mother, on Nadia, whom he should +never more see! But he let no sign appear of the emotion he +felt. + Then, a feeling of vengeance to be accomplished came over +him. + "Ivan," said he, in a stern voice, "Ivan the Traitor, the last +menace of my eyes shall be for you!"</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>But Michael was not to be looking at Ivan when his eyes were +put out. + Marfa Strogoff stood before him.</p> + +<p>"My mother!" cried he. "Yes! yes! my last glance shall be for +you, and not for this wretch! Stay there, before me! + Now I see once more your well-beloved face! Now shall my eyes +close as they rest upon it . . . !"</p> + +<p>The old woman, without uttering a word, advanced.</p> + +<p>"Take that woman away!" said Ivan.</p> + +<p>Two soldiers were about to seize her, but she stepped back and +remained standing a few paces from Michael.</p> + +<p>The executioner appeared. This time, he held his saber bare in +his hand, and this saber he had just drawn from the chafing-dish, +where he had brought it to a white heat. + Michael was going to be blinded in the Tartar fashion, with a +hot blade passed before his eyes!</p> + +<p>Michael did not attempt to resist. Nothing existed before his +eyes but his mother, whom his eyes seemed to devour. + All his life was in that last look.</p> + +<p>Marfa Strogoff, her eyes open wide, her arms extended towards +where he stood, was gazing at him. The incandescent blade passed +before Michael's eyes.</p> + +<p>A despairing cry was heard. His aged mother fell senseless to +the ground. Michael Strogoff was blind.</p> + +<p>His orders executed, the Emir retired with his train. + There remained in the square only Ivan Ogareff and the torch +bearers. + Did the wretch intend to insult his victim yet further, and yet +to give him a parting blow?</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff slowly approached Michael, who, feeling him +coming, drew himself up. Ivan drew from his pocket the Imperial +letter, he opened it, and with supreme irony he held it up before +the sightless eyes of the Czar's courier, saying, "Read, now, +Michael Strogoff, read, and go and repeat at Irkutsk what you +have read. + The true Courier of the Czar is Ivan Ogareff."</p> + +<p>This said, the traitor thrust the letter into his breast. + Then, without looking round he left the square, followed by the +torch-bearers.</p> + +<p>Michael was left alone, at a few paces from his mother, lying +lifeless, perhaps dead. He heard in the distance cries and songs, +the varied noises of a wild debauch. Tomsk, illuminated, +glittered and gleamed.</p> + +<p>Michael listened. The square was silent and deserted. He went, +groping his way, towards the place where his mother had +fallen. + He found her with his hand, he bent over her, he put his face +close to hers, he listened for the beating of her heart. + Then he murmured a few words.</p> + +<p>Did Marfa still live, and did she hear her son's words? + Whether she did so or not, she made not the slightest +movement. + Michael kissed her forehead and her white locks. He then raised +himself, and, groping with his foot, trying to stretch out his +hand to guide himself, he walked by degrees to the edge of the +square.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Nadia appeared. She walked straight to her +companion. + A knife in her hand cut the cords which bound Michael's +arms. + The blind man knew not who had freed him, for Nadia had not +spoken a word.</p> + +<p>But this done: "Brother!" said she.</p> + +<p>"Nadia!" murmured Michael, "Nadia!"</p> + +<p>"Come, brother," replied Nadia, "use my eyes whilst yours +sleep. + I will lead you to Irkutsk."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VI A FRIEND ON THE HIGHWAY</h2> + +<p>HALF an hour afterwards, Michael and Nadia had left Tomsk.</p> + +<p>Many others of the prisoners were that night able to escape +from the Tartars, for officers and soldiers, all more or less +intoxicated, had unconsciously relaxed the vigilant guard which +they had hitherto maintained. Nadia, after having been carried +off with the other prisoners, had been able to escape and return +to the square, at the moment when Michael was led before the +Emir. There, mingling with the crowd, she had witnessed the +terrible scene. Not a cry escaped her when the scorching blade +passed before her companion's eyes. + She kept, by her strength of will, mute and motionless. + A providential inspiration bade her restrain herself and retain +her liberty that she might lead Marfa's son to that goal which he +had sworn to reach. Her heart for an instant ceased to beat when +the aged Siberian woman fell senseless to the ground, but one +thought restored her to her former energy. + "I will be the blind man's dog," said she.</p> + +<p> + On Ogareff's departure, Nadia had concealed herself in the +shade. + She had waited till the crowd left the square. Michael, +abandoned as a wretched being from whom nothing was to be feared, +was alone. + She saw him draw himself towards his mother, bend over her, kiss +her forehead, then rise and grope his way in flight.</p> + +<p>A few instants later, she and he, hand in hand, had descended +the steep slope, when, after having followed the high banks of +the Tom to the furthest extremity of the town, they happily found +a breach in the inclosure.</p> + +<p>The road to Irkutsk was the only one which penetrated towards +the east. + It could not be mistaken. It was possible that on the morrow, +after some hours of carousal, the scouts of the Emir, once more +scattering over the steppes, might cut off all communication. + It was of the greatest importance therefore to get in advance of +them. + How could Nadia bear the fatigues of that night, from the l6th +to the 17th of August? How could she have found strength for so +long a stage? How could her feet, bleeding under that forced +march, have carried her thither? It is almost +incomprehensible. + But it is none the less true that on the next morning, twelve +hours after their departure from Tomsk, Michael and she reached +the town of Semilowskoe, after a journey of thirty-five +miles.</p> + +<p>Michael had not uttered a single word. It was not Nadia who +held his hand, it was he who held that of his companion during +the whole of that night; but, thanks to that trembling little +hand which guided him, he had walked at his ordinary pace.</p> + +<p>Semilowskoe was almost entirely abandoned. The inhabitants had +fled. + Not more than two or three houses were still occupied. + All that the town contained, useful or precious, had been +carried off in wagons. However, Nadia was obliged to make a halt +of a few hours. + They both required food and rest.</p> + +<p>The young girl led her companion to the extremity of the +town. + There they found an empty house, the door wide open. + An old rickety wooden bench stood in the middle of the room, +near the high stove which is to be found in all Siberian +houses. + They silently seated themselves.</p> + +<p>Nadia gazed in her companion's face as she had never before +gazed. + There was more than gratitude, more than pity, in that look. + Could Michael have seen her, he would have read in that sweet +desolate gaze a world of devotion and tenderness.</p> + +<p>The eyelids of the blind man, made red by the heated blade, +fell half over his eyes. The pupils seemed to be singularly +enlarged. + The rich blue of the iris was darker than formerly. The +eyelashes and eyebrows were partly burnt, but in appearance, at +least, the old penetrating look appeared to have undergone no +change. + If he could no longer see, if his blindness was complete, it was +because the sensibility of the retina and optic nerve was +radically destroyed by the fierce heat of the steel.</p> + +<p>Then Michael stretched out his hands.</p> + +<p>"Are you there, Nadia?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the young girl; "I am close to you, and I will +not go away from you, Michael."</p> + +<p>At his name, pronounced by Nadia for the first time, a thrill +passed through Michael's frame. He perceived that his companion +knew all, who he was.</p> + +<p>"Nadia," replied he, "we must separate!"</p> + +<p>"We separate? How so, Michael?"</p> + +<p>"I must not be an obstacle to your journey! Your father is +waiting for you at Irkutsk! You must rejoin your father!"</p> + +<p>"My father would curse me, Michael, were I to abandon you now, +after all you have done for me!"</p> + +<p>"Nadia, Nadia," replied Michael, "you should think only of +your father!"</p> + +<p>"Michael," replied Nadia, "you have more need of me than my +father. + Do you mean to give up going to Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried Michael, in a tone which plainly showed that +none of his energy was gone.</p> + +<p>"But you have not the letter!"</p> + +<p>"That letter of which Ivan Ogareff robbed me! Well! I shall +manage without it, Nadia! They have treated me as a spy! + I will act as a spy! I will go and repeat at Irkutsk all I have +seen, all I have heard; I swear it by Heaven above! + The traitor shall meet me one day face to face! But I must +arrive at Irkutsk before him."</p> + +<p>"And yet you speak of our separating, Michael?"</p> + +<p>"Nadia, they have taken everything from me!"</p> + +<p>"I have some roubles still, and my eyes! I can see for you, +Michael; and I will lead you thither, where you could not go +alone!"</p> + +<p>"And how shall we go?"</p> + +<p>"On foot."</p> + +<p>"And how shall we live?"</p> + +<p>"By begging."</p> + +<p>"Let us start, Nadia."</p> + +<p>"Come, Michael."</p> + +<p>The two young people no longer kept the names "brother" and +"sister." + In their common misfortune, they felt still closer united. + They left the house after an hour's repose. Nadia had procured +in the town some morsels of "tchornekhleb," a sort of barley +bread, and a little mead, called "meod" in Russia. This had cost +her nothing, for she had already begun her plan of begging. + The bread and mead had in some degree appeased Michael's hunger +and thirst. Nadia gave him the lion's share of this scanty +meal. + He ate the pieces of bread his companion gave him, drank from +the gourd she held to his lips.</p> + +<p>"Are you eating, Nadia?" he asked several times.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Michael," invariably replied the young girl, who +contented herself with what her companion left.</p> + +<p>Michael and Nadia quitted Semilowskoe, and once more set out +on the laborious road to Irkutsk. The girl bore up in a marvelous +way against fatigue. Had Michael seen her, perhaps he would not +have had the courage to go on. + But Nadia never complained, and Michael, hearing no sigh, walked +at a speed he was unable to repress. And why? + Did he still expect to keep before the Tartars? He was on foot, +without money; he was blind, and if Nadia, his only guide, were +to be separated from him, he could only lie down by the side of +the road and there perish miserably. + But if, on the other hand, by energetic perseverance he could +reach Krasnoiarsk, all was perhaps not lost, since the governor, +to whom he would make himself known, would not hesitate to give +him the means of reaching Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>Michael walked on, speaking little, absorbed in his own +thoughts. + He held Nadia's hand. The two were in incessant communication. +It seemed to them that they had no need of words to exchange +their thoughts. + From time to time Michael said, "Speak to me, Nadia."</p> + +<p>"Why should I, Michael? We are thinking together!" the young +girl would reply, and contrived that her voice should not betray +her extreme fatigue.</p> + +<p>But sometimes, as if her heart had ceased to beat for an +instant, her limbs tottered, her steps flagged, her arms fell to +her sides, she dropped behind. Michael then stopped, he fixed his +eyes on the poor girl, as though he would try to pierce the gloom +which surrounded him; his breast heaved; then, supporting his +companion more than before, he started on afresh.</p> + +<p>However, amidst these continual miseries, a fortunate +circumstance on that day occurred which it appeared likely would +considerably ease their fatigue. They had been walking from +Semilowskoe for two hours when Michael stopped.</p> + +<p>"Is there no one on the road?"</p> + +<p>"Not a single soul," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Do you not hear some noise behind us? If they are Tartars we +must hide. + Keep a good look-out!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, Michael!" replied Nadia, going back a few steps to +where the road turned to the right.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff waited alone for a minute, listening +attentively.</p> + +<p>Nadia returned almost immediately and said, "It is a cart. + A young man is leading it."</p> + +<p>"Is he alone?"</p> + +<p>"Alone."</p> + +<p>Michael hesitated an instant. Should he hide? or should he, on +the contrary, try to find a place in the vehicle, if not for +himself, at least for her? For himself, he would be quite content +to lay one hand on the cart, to push it if necessary, for his +legs showed no sign of failing him; but he felt sure that Nadia, +compelled to walk ever since they crossed the Obi, that is, for +eight days, must be almost exhausted. He waited.</p> + +<p>The cart was soon at the corner of the road. It was a very +dilapidated vehicle, known in the country as a kibitka, just +capable of holding three persons. Usually the kibitka is drawn by +three horses, but this had but one, a beast with long hair and a +very long tail. + It was of the Mongol breed, known for strength and courage.</p> + +<p>A young man was leading it, with a dog beside him. + Nadia saw at once that the young man was Russian; his face was +phlegmatic, but pleasant, and at once inspired confidence. + He did not appear to be in the slightest hurry; he was not +walking fast that he might spare his horse, and, to look at him, +it would not have been believed that he was following a road +which might at any instant be swarming with Tartars.</p> + +<p>Nadia, holding Michael by the hand, made way for the +vehicle. + The kibitka stopped, and the driver smilingly looked at the +young girl.</p> + +<p>"And where are you going to in this fashion?" he asked, +opening wide his great honest eyes.</p> + +<p>At the sound of his voice, Michael said to himself that he had +heard it before. And it was satisfactory to him to recognize the +man for his brow at once cleared.</p> + +<p>"Well, where are you going?" repeated the young man, +addressing himself more directly to Michael.</p> + +<p>"We are going to Irkutsk," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh! little father, you do not know that there are still +versts and versts between you and Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"I know it."</p> + +<p>"And you are going on foot?"</p> + +<p>"On foot."</p> + +<p>"You, well! but the young lady?"</p> + +<p>"She is my sister," said Michael, who judged it prudent to +give again this name to Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your sister, little father! But, believe me, she will +never be able to get to Irkutsk!"</p> + +<p>"Friend," returned Michael, approaching him, "the Tartars have +robbed us of everything, and I have not a copeck to offer you; +but if you will take my sister with you, I will follow your cart +on foot; I will run when necessary, I will not delay you an +hour!"</p> + +<p>"Brother," exclaimed Nadia, "I will not! I will not! + Sir, my brother is blind!"</p> + +<p>"Blind!" repeated the young man, much moved.</p> + +<p>"The Tartars have burnt out his eyes!" replied Nadia, +extending her hands, as if imploring pity.</p> + +<p>"Burnt out his eyes! Oh! poor little father! I am going to +Krasnoiarsk. Well, why should not you and your sister mount in +the kibitka? By sitting a little close, it will hold us all +three. Besides, my dog will not refuse to go on foot; only I +don't go fast, I spare my horse."</p> + +<p>"Friend, what is your name?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"My name is Nicholas Pigassof."</p> + +<p>"It is a name that I will never forget," said Michael.</p> + +<p>"Well, jump up, little blind father. Your sister will be +beside you, in the bottom of the cart; I sit in front to +drive. + There is plenty of good birch bark and straw in the bottom; it's +like a nest. Serko, make room!"</p> + +<p>The dog jumped down without more telling. He was an animal of +the Siberian race, gray hair, of medium size, with an honest big +head, just made to pat, and he, moreover, appeared to be much +attached to his master.</p> + +<p>In a moment more, Michael and Nadia were seated in the +kibitka. + Michael held out his hands as if to feel for those of Pigassof. +"You wish to shake my hands!" said Nicholas. "There they are, +little father! + shake them as long as it will give you any pleasure."</p> + +<p>The kibitka moved on; the horse, which Nicholas never touched +with the whip, ambled along. Though Michael did not gain any in +speed, at least some fatigue was spared to Nadia.</p> + +<p>Such was the exhaustion of the young girl, that, rocked by the +monotonous movement of the kibitka, she soon fell into a sleep, +its soundness proving her complete prostration. + Michael and Nicholas laid her on the straw as comfortably as +possible. + The compassionate young man was greatly moved, and if a tear did +not escape from Michael's eyes, it was because the red-hot iron +had dried up the last!</p> + +<p>"She is very pretty," said Nicholas.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Michael.</p> + +<p>"They try to be strong, little father, they are brave, but +they are weak after all, these dear little things! + Have you come from far."</p> + +<p>"Very far."</p> + +<p>"Poor young people! It must have hurt you very much when they +burnt your eyes!"</p> + +<p>"Very much," answered Michael, turning towards Nicholas as if +he could see him.</p> + +<p>"Did you not weep?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I should have wept too. To think that one could never again +see those one loves. But they can see you, however; that's +perhaps some consolation!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, perhaps. Tell me, my friend," continued Michael, "have +you never seen me anywhere before?"</p> + +<p>"You, little father? No, never."</p> + +<p>"The sound of your voice is not unknown to me."</p> + +<p>"Why!" returned Nicholas, smiling, "he knows the sound of my +voice! + Perhaps you ask me that to find out where I come from. + I come from Kolyvan."</p> + +<p>"From Kolyvan?" repeated Michael. "Then it was there I met +you; you were in the telegraph office?"</p> + +<p>"That may be," replied Nicholas. "I was stationed there. + I was the clerk in charge of the messages."</p> + +<p>"And you stayed at your post up to the last moment?"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's at that moment one ought to be there!"</p> + +<p>"It was the day when an Englishman and a Frenchman were +disputing, roubles in hand, for the place at your wicket, and the +Englishman telegraphed some poetry."</p> + +<p>"That is possible, but I do not remember it."</p> + +<p>"What! you do not remember it?"</p> + +<p>"I never read the dispatches I send. My duty being to forget +them, the shortest way is not to know them."</p> + +<p>This reply showed Nicholas Pigassof's character. + In the meanwhile the kibitka pursued its way, at a pace which +Michael longed to render more rapid. But Nicholas and his horse +were accustomed to a pace which neither of them would like to +alter. + The horse went for two hours and rested one--so on, day and +night. + During the halts the horse grazed, the travelers ate in company +with the faithful Serko. The kibitka was provisioned for at least +twenty persons, and Nicholas generously placed his supplies at +the disposal of his two guests, whom he believed to be brother +and sister.</p> + +<p>After a day's rest, Nadia recovered some strength. + Nicholas took the best possible care of her. + The journey was being made under tolerable circumstances, slowly +certainly, but surely. It sometimes happened that during the +night, Nicholas, although driving, fell asleep, and snored with a +clearness which showed the calmness of his conscience. + Perhaps then, by looking close, Michael's hand might have been +seen feeling for the reins, and giving the horse a more rapid +pace, to the great astonishment of Serko, who, however, said +nothing. + The trot was exchanged for the amble as soon as Nicholas awoke, +but the kibitka had not the less gained some versts.</p> + +<p>Thus they passed the river Ichirnsk, the villages of +Ichisnokoe, Berikylokoe, Kuskoe, the river Marunsk, the village +of the same name, Bogostowskoe, and, lastly, the Ichoula, a +little stream which divides Western from Eastern Siberia. The +road now lay sometimes across wide moors, which extended as far +as the eye could reach, sometimes through thick forests of firs, +of which they thought they should never get to the end. + Everywhere was a desert; the villages were almost entirely +abandoned. + The peasants had fled beyond the Yenisei, hoping that this wide +river would perhaps stop the Tartars.</p> + +<p>On the 22d of August, the kibitka entered the town of +Atchinsk, two hundred and fifty miles from Tomsk. Eighty miles +still lay between them and Krasnoiarsk.</p> + +<p>No incident had marked the journey. For the six days during +which they had been together, Nicholas, Michael, and Nadia had +remained the same, the one in his unchange-able calm, the other +two, uneasy, and thinking of the time when their companion would +leave them.</p> + +<p>Michael saw the country through which they traveled with the +eyes of Nicholas and the young girl. In turns, they each +described to him the scenes they passed. He knew whether he was +in a forest or on a plain, whether a hut was on the steppe, or +whether any Siberian was in sight. + Nicholas was never silent, he loved to talk, and, from his +peculiar way of viewing things, his friends were amused by his +conversation. + One day, Michael asked him what sort of weather it was.</p> + +<p>"Fine enough, little father," he answered, "but soon we shall +feel the first winter frosts. Perhaps the Tartars will go into +winter quarters during the bad season."</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff shook his head with a doubtful air.</p> + +<p>"You do not think so, little father?" resumed Nicholas. "You +think that they will march on to Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"I fear so," replied Michael.</p> + +<p>"Yes . . . you are right; they have with them a bad man, who +will not let them loiter on the way. You have heard speak of Ivan +Ogareff?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"You know that it is not right to betray one's country!"</p> + +<p>"No . . . it is not right . . ." answered Michael, who wished +to remain unmoved.</p> + +<p>"Little father," continued Nicholas, "it seems to me that you +are not half indignant enough when Ivan Ogareff is spoken of. + Your Russian heart ought to leap when his name is uttered."</p> + +<p>"Believe me, my friend, I hate him more than you can ever hate +him," said Michael.</p> + +<p>"It is not possible," replied Nicholas; "no, it is not +possible! + When I think of Ivan Ogareff, of the harm which he is doing to +our sacred Russia, I get into such a rage that if I could get +hold of him--"</p> + +<p>"If you could get hold of him, friend?"</p> + +<p>"I think I should kill him."</p> + +<p>"And I, I am sure of it," returned Michael quietly.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VII THE PASSAGE OF THE YENISEI</h2> + +<p>AT nightfall, on the 25th of August, the kibitka came in sight +of Krasnoiarsk. The journey from Tomsk had taken eight days. + If it had not been accomplished as rapidly as it might, it was +because Nicholas had slept little. Consequently, it was +impossible to increase his horse's pace, though in other hands, +the journey would not have taken sixty hours.</p> + +<p>Happily, there was no longer any fear of Tartars. Not a scout +had appeared on the road over which the kibitka had just +traveled. + This was strange enough, and evidently some serious cause had +prevented the Emir's troops from marching without delay upon +Irkutsk. Something had occurred. A new Russian corps, hastily +raised in the government of Yeniseisk, had marched to Tomsk to +endeavor to retake the town. But, being too weak to withstand the +Emir's troops, now concentrated there, they had been forced to +effect a retreat. Feofar-Khan, including his own soldiers, and +those of the Khanats of Khokhand and Koun-douze, had now under +his command two hundred and fifty thousand men, to which the +Russian government could not as yet oppose a sufficient +force. + The invasion could not, therefore, be immediately stopped, and +the whole Tartar army might at once march upon Irkutsk. The +battle of Tomsk was on the 22nd of August, though this Michael +did not know, but it explained why the vanguard of the Emir's +army had not appeared at Krasnoiarsk by the 25th.</p> + +<p> + However, though Michael Strogoff could not know the events which +had occurred since his departure, he at least knew that he was +several days in advance of the Tartars, and that he need not +despair of reaching before them the town of Irkutsk, still six +hundred miles distant.</p> + +<p>Besides, at Krasnoiarsk, of which the population is about +twelve thousand souls, he depended upon obtaining some means of +transport. + Since Nicholas Pigassof was to stop in that town, it would be +necessary to replace him by a guide, and to change the kibitka +for another more rapid vehicle. Michael, after having addressed +himself to the governor of the town, and established his identity +and quality as Courier of the Czar--which would be easy-- doubted +not that he would be enabled to get to Irkutsk in the shortest +possible time. He would thank the good Nicholas Pigassof, and set +out immediately with Nadia, for he did not wish to leave her +until he had placed her in her father's arms. + Though Nicholas had resolved to stop at Krasnoiarsk, it was only +as he said, "on condition of finding employment there." + In fact, this model clerk, after having stayed to the last +minute at his post in Kolyvan, was endeavoring to place himself +again at the disposal of the government. + "Why should I receive a salary which I have not earned?" + he would say.</p> + +<p>In the event of his services not being required at +Krasnoiarsk, which it was expected would be still in telegraphic +communication with Irkutsk, he proposed to go to Oudinsk, or even +to the capital of Siberia itself. In the latter case, he would +continue to travel with the brother and sister; and where would +they find a surer guide, or a more devoted friend?</p> + +<p>The kibitka was now only half a verst from Krasnoiarsk. The +numerous wooden crosses which are erected at the approaches to +the town, could be seen to the right and left of the road. It was +seven in the evening; the outline of the churches and of the +houses built on the high bank of the Yenisei were clearly defined +against the evening sky, and the waters of the river reflected +them in the twilight.</p> + +<p>"Where are we, sister?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"Half a verst from the first houses," replied Nadia.</p> + +<p>"Can the town be asleep?" observed Michael. "Not a sound +strikes my ear."</p> + +<p>"And I cannot see the slightest light, nor even smoke mounting +into the air," added Nadia.</p> + +<p>"What a queer town!" said Nicholas. "They make no noise in it, +and go to bed uncommonly early!"</p> + +<p>A presentiment of impending misfortune passed across Michael's +heart. + He had not said to Nadia that he had placed all his hopes on +Krasnoiarsk, where he expected to find the means of safely +finishing his journey. + He much feared that his anticipations would again be +disappointed.</p> + +<p>But Nadia had guessed his thoughts, although she could not +understand why her companion should be so anxious to reach +Irkutsk, now that the Imperial letter was gone. She one day said +something of the sort to him. + "I have sworn to go to Irkutsk," he replied.</p> + +<p>But to accomplish his mission, it was necessary that at +Krasnoiarsk he should find some more rapid mode of +locomotion. + "Well, friend," said he to Nicholas, "why are we not going +on?"</p> + +<p>"Because I am afraid of waking up the inhabitants of the town +with the noise of my carriage!" And with a light fleck of the +whip, Nicholas put his horse in motion.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes after they entered the High Street. Krasnoiarsk +was deserted; there was no longer an Athenian in this "Northern +Athens," + as Madame de Bourboulon has called it. Not one of their dashing +equipages swept through the wide, clean streets. + Not a pedestrian enlivened the footpaths raised at the bases of +the magnificent wooden houses, of monumental aspect! + Not a Siberian belle, dressed in the last French fashion, +promenaded the beautiful park, cleared in a forest of birch +trees, which stretches away to the banks of the Yenisei! The +great bell of the cathedral was dumb; the chimes of the churches +were silent. + Here was complete desolation. There was no longer a living being +in this town, lately so lively!</p> + +<p>The last telegram sent from the Czar's cabinet, before the +rupture of the wire, had ordered the governor, the garrison, the +inhabitants, whoever they might be, to leave Krasnoiarsk, to +carry with them any articles of value, or which might be of use +to the Tartars, and to take refuge at Irkutsk. The same +injunction was given to all the villages of the province. It was +the intention of the Muscovite government to lay the country +desert before the invaders. + No one thought for an instant of disputing these orders. + They were executed, and this was the reason why not a single +human being remained in Krasnoiarsk.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff, Nadia, and Nicholas passed silently through +the streets of the town. They felt half-stupefied. They +themselves made the only sound to be heard in this dead city. + Michael allowed nothing of what he felt to appear, but he +inwardly raged against the bad luck which pursued him, his hopes +being again disappointed.</p> + +<p>"Alack, alack!" cried Nicholas, "I shall never get any +employment in this desert!"</p> + +<p>"Friend," said Nadia, "you must go on with us."</p> + +<p>"I must indeed!" replied Nicholas. "The wire is no doubt still +working between Oudinsk and Irkutsk, and there-- Shall we start, +little father?"</p> + +<p>"Let us wait till to-morrow," answered Michael.</p> + +<p>"You are right," said Nicholas. "We have the Yenisei to cross, +and need light to see our way there!"</p> + +<p>"To see!" murmured Nadia, thinking of her blind companion.</p> + +<p>Nicholas heard her, and turning to Michael, "Forgive me, +little father," + said he. "Alas! night and day, it is true, are all the same to +you!"</p> + +<p>"Do not reproach yourself, friend," replied Michael, pressing +his hand over his eyes. "With you for a guide I can still +act. + Take a few hours' repose. Nadia must rest too. To-morrow we will +recommence our journey!"</p> + +<p>Michael and his friends had not to search long for a place of +rest. + The first house, the door of which they pushed open, was empty, +as well as all the others. Nothing could be found within but a +few heaps of leaves. For want of better fodder the horse had to +content himself with this scanty nourishment. The provisions of +the kibitka were not yet exhausted, so each had a share. + Then, after having knelt before a small picture of the Panaghia, +hung on the wall, and still lighted up by a flickering lamp, +Nicholas and the young girl slept, whilst Michael, over whom +sleep had no influence, watched.</p> + +<p>Before daybreak the next morning, the 26th of August, the +horse was drawing the kibitka through the forests of birch trees +towards the banks of the Yenisei. Michael was in much +anxiety. + How was he to cross the river, if, as was probable, all boats +had been destroyed to retard the Tartars' march? He knew the +Yenisei, its width was considerable, its currents strong. + Ordinarily by means of boats specially built for the conveyance +of travelers, carriages, and horses, the passage of the Yenisei +takes about three hours, and then it is with extreme difficulty +that the boats reach the opposite bank. Now, in the absence of +any ferry, how was the kibitka to get from one bank to the +other?</p> + +<p>Day was breaking when the kibitka reached the left bank, where +one of the wide alleys of the park ended. + They were about a hundred feet above the Yenisei, and could +therefore survey the whole of its wide course.</p> + +<p>"Do you see a boat?" asked Michael, casting his eyes eagerly +about from one side to the other, mechanically, no doubt, as if +he could really see.</p> + +<p>"It is scarcely light yet, brother," replied Nadia. "The fog +is still thick, and we cannot see the water."</p> + +<p>"But I hear it roaring," said Michael.</p> + +<p>Indeed, from the fog issued a dull roaring sound. + The waters being high rushed down with tumultuous violence. + All three waited until the misty curtain should rise. + The sun would not be long in dispersing the vapors.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"The fog is beginning to roll away, brother," replied Nadia, +"and it will soon be clear."</p> + +<p>"Then you do not see the surface of the water yet?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet."</p> + +<p>"Have patience, little father," said Nicholas. "All this will +soon disappear. Look! here comes the breeze! + It is driving away the fog. The trees on the opposite hills are +already appearing. It is sweeping, flying away. + The kindly rays of the sun have condensed all that mass of +mist. + Ah! how beautiful it is, my poor fellow, and how unfortunate +that you cannot see such a lovely sight!"</p> + +<p>"Do you see a boat?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"I see nothing of the sort," answered Nicholas.</p> + +<p>"Look well, friend, on this and the opposite bank, as far as +your eye can reach. A raft, even a canoe?"</p> + +<p>Nicholas and Nadia, grasping the bushes on the edge of the +cliff, bent over the water. The view they thus obtained was +extensive. + At this place the Yenisei is not less than a mile in width, and +forms two arms, of unequal size, through which the waters flow +swiftly. + Between these arms lie several islands, covered with alders, +willows, and poplars, looking like verdant ships, anchored in the +river. Beyond rise the high hills of the Eastern shore, crowned +with forests, whose tops were then empurpled with light. + The Yenisei stretched on either side as far as the eye could +reach. + The beautiful panorama lay before them for a distance of fifty +versts.</p> + +<p>But not a boat was to be seen. All had been taken away or +destroyed, according to order. Unless the Tartars should bring +with them materials for building a bridge of boats, their march +towards Irkutsk would certainly be stopped for some time by this +barrier, the Yenisei.</p> + +<p>"I remember," said Michael, "that higher up, on the outskirts +of Krasnoiarsk, there is a little quay. There the boats +touch. + Friend, let us go up the river, and see if some boat has not +been forgotten on the bank."</p> + +<p>Nadia seized Michael's hand and started off at a rapid pace in +the direction indicated. If only a boat or a barge large enough +to hold the kibitka could be found, or even one that would carry +just themselves, Michael would not hesitate to attempt the +passage! + Twenty minutes after, all three had reached the little quay, +with houses on each side quite down to the water's edge. + It was like a village standing beyond the town of +Krasnoiarsk.</p> + +<p>But not a boat was on the shore, not a barge at the little +wharf, nothing even of which a raft could be made large enough to +carry three people. Michael questioned Nicholas, who made the +discouraging reply that the crossing appeared to him absolutely +impracticable.</p> + +<p>"We shall cross!" answered Michael.</p> + +<p>The search was continued. They examined the houses on the +shore, abandoned like all the rest of Krasnoiarsk. They had +merely to push open the doors and enter. The cottages were +evidently those of poor people, and quite empty. Nicholas visited +one, Nadia entered another, and even Michael went here and there +and felt about, hoping to light upon some article that might be +useful.</p> + +<p>Nicholas and the girl had each fruitlessly rummaged these +cottages and were about to give up the search, when they heard +themselves called. + Both ran to the bank and saw Michael standing on the threshold +of a door.</p> + +<p>"Come!" he exclaimed. Nicholas and Nadia went towards him and +followed him into the cottage.</p> + +<p>"What are these?" asked Michael, touching several objects +piled up in a corner.</p> + +<p>"They are leathern bottles," answered Nicholas.</p> + +<p>"Are they full?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, full of koumyss. We have found them very opportunely to +renew our provisions!"</p> + +<p>"Koumyss" is a drink made of mare's or camel's milk, and is +very sustaining, and even intoxicating; so that Nicholas and his +companions could not but congratulate themselves on the +discovery.</p> + +<p>"Save one," said Michael, "but empty the others."</p> + +<p>"Directly, little father."</p> + +<p>"These will help us to cross the Yenisei."</p> + +<p>"And the raft?"</p> + +<p>"Will be the kibitka itself, which is light enough to +float. + Besides, we will sustain it, as well as the horse, with these +bottles."</p> + +<p>"Well thought of, little father," exclaimed Nicholas, "and by +God's help we will get safely over . . . though perhaps not in a +straight line, for the current is very rapid!"</p> + +<p>"What does that matter?" replied Michael. "Let us get across +first, and we shall soon find out the road to Irkutsk on the +other side of the river."</p> + +<p>"To work, then," said Nicholas, beginning to empty the +bottles.</p> + +<p>One full of koumyss was reserved, and the rest, with the air +carefully fastened in, were used to form a floating apparatus. +Two bottles were fastened to the horse's sides to support it in +the water. + Two others were attached to the shafts to keep them on a level +with the body of the machine, thus transformed into a raft. + This work was soon finished.</p> + +<p>"You will not be afraid, Nadia?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"No, brother," answered the girl.</p> + +<p>"And you, friend?"</p> + +<p>"I?" cried Nicholas. "I am now going to have one of my dreams +realized-- that of sailing in a cart."</p> + +<p>At the spot where they were now standing, the bank sloped, and +was suitable for the launching of the kibitka. + The horse drew it into the water, and they were soon both +floating. + As to Serko, he was swimming bravely.</p> + +<p>The three passengers, seated in the vehicle, had with due +precaution taken off their shoes and stockings; but, thanks to +the bottles, the water did not even come over their ankles. + Michael held the reins, and, according to Nicholas's directions, +guided the animal obliquely, but cautiously, so as not to exhaust +him by struggling against the current. So long as the kibitka +went with the current all was easy, and in a few minutes it had +passed the quays of Krasnoiarsk. It drifted northwards, and it +was soon evident that it would only reach the opposite bank far +below the town. But that mattered little. + The crossing would have been made without great difficulty, even +on this imperfect apparatus, had the current been regular; but, +unfortunately, there were whirlpools in numbers, and soon the +kibitka, notwithstanding all Michael's efforts, was irresistibly +drawn into one of these.</p> + +<p>There the danger was great. The kibitka no longer drifted, but +spun rapidly round, inclining towards the center of the eddy, +like a rider in a circus. The horse could scarcely keep his head +above water, and ran a great risk of being suffocated. + Serko had been obliged to take refuge in the carriage.</p> + +<p>Michael knew what was happening. He felt himself drawn round +in a gradually narrowing line, from which they could not get +free. + How he longed to see, to be better able to avoid this peril, but +that was no longer possible. Nadia was silent, her hands clinging +to the sides of the cart, which was inclining more and more +towards the center of depression.</p> + +<p>And Nicholas, did he not understand the gravity of the +situation? + Was it with him phlegm or contempt of danger, courage or +indifference? + Was his life valueless in his eyes, and, according to the +Eastern expression, "an hotel for five days," which, whether one +is willing or not, must be left the sixth? At any rate, the smile +on his rosy face never faded for an instant.</p> + +<p>The kibitka was thus in the whirlpool, and the horse was +nearly exhausted, when, all at once, Michael, throwing off such +of his garments as might impede him, jumped into the water; then, +seizing with a strong hand the bridle of the terrified horse, he +gave him such an impulse that he managed to struggle out of the +circle, and getting again into the current, the kibitka drifted +along anew.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" exclaimed Nicholas.</p> + +<p>Two hours after leaving the wharf, the kibitka had crossed the +widest arm of the river, and had landed on an island more than +six versts below the starting point.</p> + +<p>There the horse drew the cart onto the bank, and an hour's +rest was given to the courageous animal; then the island having +been crossed under the shade of its magnificent birches, the +kibitka found itself on the shore of the smaller arm of the +Yenisei.</p> + +<p>This passage was much easier; no whirlpools broke the course +of the river in this second bed; but the current was so rapid +that the kibitka only reached the opposite side five versts +below. + They had drifted eleven versts in all.</p> + +<p>These great Siberian rivers across which no bridges have as +yet been thrown, are serious obstacles to the facility of +communication. All had been more or less unfortunate to Michael +Strogoff. On the Irtych, the boat which carried him and Nadia had +been attacked by Tartars. On the Obi, after his horse had been +struck by a bullet, he had only by a miracle escaped from the +horsemen who were pursuing him. + In fact, this passage of the Yenisei had been performed the +least disastrously.</p> + +<p>"That would not have been so amusing," exclaimed Nicholas, +rubbing his hands, as they disembarked on the right bank of the +river, "if it had not been so difficult."</p> + +<p>"That which has only been difficult to us, friend," + answered Michael Strogoff, "will, perhaps, be impossible to the +Tartars."</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII A HARE CROSSES THE ROAD</h2> + +<p>MICHAEL STROGOFF might at last hope that the road to Irkutsk +was clear. He had distanced the Tartars, now detained at Tomsk, +and when the Emir's soldiers should arrive at Krasnoiarsk they +would find only a deserted town. There being no communication +between the two banks of the Yenisei, a delay of some days would +be caused until a bridge of boats could be established, and to +accomplish this would be a difficult undertaking. + For the first time since the encounter with Ivan Ogareff at +Omsk, the courier of the Czar felt less uneasy, and began to hope +that no fresh obstacle would delay his progress.</p> + +<p>The road was good, for that part of it which extends between +Krasnoiarsk and Irkutsk is considered the best in the whole +journey; fewer jolts for travelers, large trees to shade them +from the heat of the sun, sometimes forests of pines or cedars +covering an extent of a hundred versts. + It was no longer the wide steppe with limitless horizon; but the +rich country was empty. Everywhere they came upon deserted +villages. The Siberian peasantry had vanished. + It was a desert, but a desert by order of the Czar.</p> + +<p> + The weather was fine, but the air, which cooled during the +night, took some time to get warm again. Indeed it was now near +September, and in this high region the days were sensibly +shortening. + Autumn here lasts but a very little while, although this part of +Siberian territory is not situated above the fifty-fifth +parallel, that of Edinburgh and Copenhagen. However, winter +succeeds summer almost unexpectedly. These winters of Asiatic +Russia may be said to be precocious, considering that during them +the thermometer falls until the mercury is frozen nearly 42 +degrees below zero, and that 20 degrees below zero is considered +an unsupportable temperature.</p> + +<p>The weather favored our travelers. It was neither stormy nor +rainy. + The health of Nadia and Michael was good, and since leaving +Tomsk they had gradually recovered from their past fatigues.</p> + +<p>As to Nicholas Pigassof, he had never been better in his +life. + To him this journey was a trip, an agreeable excursion in which +he employed his enforced holiday.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly," said he, "this is pleasanter than sitting twelve +hours a day, perched on a stool, working the manip-ulator!"</p> + +<p>Michael had managed to get Nicholas to make his horse quicken +his pace. + To obtain this result, he had confided to Nicholas that Nadia +and he were on their way to join their father, exiled at Irkutsk, +and that they were very anxious to get there. Certainly, it would +not do to overwork the horse, for very probably they would not be +able to exchange him for another; but by giving him frequent +rests-- every ten miles, for instance--forty miles in twenty-four +hours could easily be accomplished. Besides, the animal was +strong, and of a race calculated to endure great fatigue. He was +in no want of rich pasturage along the road, the grass being +thick and abundant. + Therefore, it was possible to demand an increase of work from +him.</p> + +<p>Nicholas gave in to all these reasons. He was much moved at +the situation of these two young people, going to share their +father's exile. + Nothing had ever appeared so touching to him. With what a smile +he said to Nadia: "Divine goodness! what joy will Mr. Korpanoff +feel, when his eyes behold you, when his arms open to receive +you! If I go to Irkutsk-- and that appears very probable +now--will you permit me to be present at that interview! You +will, will you not?" Then, striking his forehead: "But, I forgot, +what grief too when he sees that his poor son is blind! + Ah! everything is mingled in this world!"</p> + +<p>However, the result of all this was the kibitka went faster, +and, according to Michael's calculations, now made almost eight +miles an hour.</p> + +<p>After crossing the little river Biriousa, the kibitka reached +Biriousensk on the morning of the 4th of September. There, very +fortunately, for Nicholas saw that his provisions were becoming +exhausted, he found in an oven a dozen "pogatchas," a kind of +cake prepared with sheep's fat and a large supply of plain boiled +rice. + This increase was very opportune, for something would soon have +been needed to replace the koumyss with which the kibitka had +been stored at Krasnoiarsk.</p> + +<p>After a halt, the journey was continued in the afternoon. + The distance to Irkutsk was not now much over three hundred +miles. + There was not a sign of the Tartar vanguard. Michael Strogoff +had some grounds for hoping that his journey would not be again +delayed, and that in eight days, or at most ten, he would be in +the presence of the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>On leaving Biriousinsk, a hare ran across the road, in front +of the kibitka. "Ah!" exclaimed Nicholas.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, friend?" asked Michael quickly, like a +blind man whom the least sound arouses.</p> + +<p>"Did you not see?" said Nicholas, whose bright face had become +suddenly clouded. Then he added, "Ah! no! you could not see, and +it's lucky for you, little father!"</p> + +<p>"But I saw nothing," said Nadia.</p> + +<p>"So much the better! So much the better! But I--I saw!"</p> + +<p>"What was it then?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"A hare crossing our road!" answered Nicholas.</p> + +<p>In Russia, when a hare crosses the path, the popular belief is +that it is the sign of approaching evil. Nicholas, superstitious +like the greater number of Russians, stopped the kibitka.</p> + +<p>Michael understood his companion's hesitation, without sharing +his credulity, and endeavored to reassure him, "There is nothing +to fear, friend," said he.</p> + +<p>"Nothing for you, nor for her, I know, little father," +answered Nicholas, "but for me!"</p> + +<p>"It is my fate," he continued. And he put his horse in motion +again. However, in spite of these forebodings the day passed +without any accident.</p> + +<p>At twelve o'clock the next day, the 6th of September, the +kibitka halted in the village of Alsalevok, which was as deserted +as the surrounding country. There, on a doorstep, Nadia found two +of those strong-bladed knives used by Siberian hunters. + She gave one to Michael, who concealed it among his clothes, and +kept the other herself.</p> + +<p>Nicholas had not recovered his usual spirits. The ill-omen had +affected him more than could have been believed, and he who +formerly was never half an hour without speaking, now fell into +long reveries from which Nadia found it difficult to arouse +him. + The kibitka rolled swiftly along the road. Yes, swiftly! + Nicholas no longer thought of being so careful of his horse, and +was as anxious to arrive at his journey's end as Michael +himself. + Notwithstanding his fatalism, and though resigned, he would not +believe himself in safety until within the walls of Irkutsk. Many +Russians would have thought as he did, and more than one would +have turned his horse and gone back again, after a hare had +crossed his path.</p> + +<p>Some observations made by him, the justice of which was proved +by Nadia transmitting them to Michael, made them fear that their +trials were not yet over. Though the land from Krasnoiarsk had +been respected in its natural productions, its forests now bore +trace of fire and steel; and it was evident that some large body +of men had passed that way.</p> + +<p>Twenty miles before Nijni-Oudinsk, the indications of recent +devastation could not be mistaken, and it was impossible to +attribute them to others than the Tartars. It was not only that +the fields were trampled by horse's feet, and that trees were cut +down. + The few houses scattered along the road were not only empty, +some had been partly demolished, others half burnt down. + The marks of bullets could be seen on their walls.</p> + +<p>Michael's anxiety may be imagined. He could no longer doubt +that a party of Tartars had recently passed that way, and yet it +was impossible that they could be the Emir's soldiers, for they +could not have passed without being seen. + But then, who were these new invaders, and by what +out-of-the-way path across the steppe had they been able to join +the highroad to Irkutsk? With what new enemies was the Czar's +courier now to meet?</p> + +<p>He did not communicate his apprehensions either to Nicholas or +Nadia, not wishing to make them uneasy. Besides, he had resolved +to continue his way, as long as no insurmountable obstacle +stopped him. Later, he would see what it was best to do. + During the ensuing day, the recent passage of a large body of +foot and horse became more and more apparent. + Smoke was seen above the horizon. The kibitka advanced +cautiously. + Several houses in deserted villages still burned, and could not +have been set on fire more than four and twenty hours before.</p> + +<p>At last, during the day, on the 8th of September, the kibitka +stopped suddenly. The horse refused to advance. + Serko barked furiously.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"A corpse!" replied Nicholas, who had leapt out of the +kibitka. + The body was that of a moujik, horribly mutilated, and already +cold. + Nicholas crossed himself. Then, aided by Michael, he carried the +body to the side of the road. He would have liked to give it +decent burial, that the wild beasts of the steppe might not feast +on the miserable remains, but Michael could not allow him the +time.</p> + +<p>"Come, friend, come!" he exclaimed, "we must not delay, even +for an hour!" And the kibitka was driven on.</p> + +<p>Besides, if Nicholas had wished to render the last duties to +all the dead bodies they were now to meet with on the Siberian +highroad, he would have had enough to do! + As they approached Nijni-Oudinsk, they were found by twenties, +stretched on the ground.</p> + +<p>It was, however, necessary to follow this road until it was +manifestly impossible to do so longer without falling into the +hands of the invaders. The road they were following could not be +abandoned, and yet the signs of devastation and ruin increased at +every village they passed through. The blood of the victims was +not yet dry. + As to gaining information about what had occurred, that was +impossible. + There was not a living being left to tell the tale.</p> + +<p>About four o'clock in the afternoon of this day, Nicholas +caught sight of the tall steeples of the churches of +Nijni-Oudinsk. Thick vapors, which could not have been clouds, +were floating around them.</p> + +<p>Nicholas and Nadia looked, and communicated the result of +their observations to Michael. They must make up their minds what +to do. + If the town was abandoned, they could pass through without risk, +but if, by some inexplicable maneuver, the Tartars occupied it, +they must at every cost avoid the place.</p> + +<p>"Advance cautiously," said Michael Strogoff, "but +advance!"</p> + +<p>A verst was soon traversed.</p> + +<p>"Those are not clouds, that is smoke!" exclaimed Nadia. +"Brother, they are burning the town!"</p> + +<p>It was, indeed, only too plain. Flashes of light appeared in +the midst of the vapor. It became thicker and thicker as it +mounted upwards. + But were they Tartars who had done this? They might be Russians, +obeying the orders of the Grand Duke. Had the government of the +Czar determined that from Krasnoiarsk, from the Yenisei, not a +town, not a village should offer a refuge to the Emir's +soldiers? + What was Michael to do?</p> + +<p>He was undecided. However, having weighed the pros and cons, +he thought that whatever might be the difficulties of a journey +across the steppe without a beaten path, he ought not to risk +capture a second time by the Tartars. He was just proposing to +Nicholas to leave the road, when a shot was heard on their +right. + A ball whistled, and the horse of the kibitka fell dead, shot +through the head.</p> + +<p>A dozen horsemen dashed forward, and the kibitka was +surrounded. + Before they knew where they were, Michael, Nadia, and Nicholas +were prisoners, and were being dragged rapidly towards +Nijni-Oudinsk.</p> + +<p>Michael, in this second attack, had lost none of his presence +of mind. + Being unable to see his enemies, he had not thought of defending +himself. + Even had he possessed the use of his eyes, he would not have +attempted it. The consequences would have been his death and that +of his companions. But, though he could not see, he could listen +and understand what was said.</p> + +<p>From their language he found that these soldiers were Tartars, +and from their words, that they preceded the invading army.</p> + +<p>In short, what Michael learnt from the talk at the present +moment, as well as from the scraps of conversation he overheard +later, was this. These men were not under the direct orders of +the Emir, who was now detained beyond the Yenisei. They made part +of a third column chiefly composed of Tartars from the khanats of +Khokland and Koondooz, with which Feofar's army was to affect a +junction in the neighborhood of Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>By Ogareff's advice, in order to assure the success of the +invasion in the Eastern provinces, this column had skirted the +base of the Altai Mountains. Pillaging and ravaging, it had +reached the upper course of the Yenisei. There, guessing what had +been done at Krasnoiarsk by order of the Czar, and to facilitate +the passage of the river to the Emir's troops, this column had +launched a flotilla of boats, which would enable Feofar to cross +and r‚sum‚ the road to Irkutsk. Having done this, it +had descended the valley of the Yenisei and struck the road on a +level with Alsalevsk. From this little town began the frightful +course of ruin which forms the chief part of Tartar warfare. + Nijni-Oudinsk had shared the common fate, and the Tartars, to +the number of fifty thousand, had now quitted it to take up a +position before Irkutsk. Before long, they would be reinforced by +the Emir's troops.</p> + +<p>Such was the state of affairs at this date, most serious for +this isolated part of Eastern Siberia, and for the comparatively +few defenders of its capital.</p> + +<p>It can be imagined with what thoughts Michael's mind was now +occupied! + Who could have been astonished had he, in his present situation, +lost all hope and all courage? Nothing of the sort, however; his +lips muttered no other words than these: "I will get there!"</p> + +<p>Half an hour after the attack of the Tartar horsemen, Michael +Strogoff, Nadia, and Nicholas entered Nijni-Oudinsk. The faithful +dog followed them, though at a distance. + They could not stay in the town, as it was in flames, and about +to be left by the last of the marauders. + The prisoners were therefore thrown on horses and hurried away; +Nicholas resigned as usual, Nadia, her faith in Michael unshaken, +and Michael himself, apparently indifferent, but ready to seize +any opportunity of escaping.</p> + +<p>The Tartars were not long in perceiving that one of their +prisoners was blind, and their natural barbarity led them to make +game of their unfortunate victim. They were traveling fast. + Michael's horse, having no one to guide him, often started +aside, and so made confusion among the ranks. This drew on his +rider such abuse and brutality as wrung Nadia's heart, and filled +Nicholas with indignation. But what could they do? They could not +speak the Tartar language, and their assistance was mercilessly +refused. + Soon it occurred to these men, in a refinement of cruelty, to +exchange the horse Michael was riding for one which was +blind. + The motive of the change was explained by a remark which Michael +overheard, "Perhaps that Russian can see, after all!"</p> + +<p>Michael was placed on this horse, and the reins ironically put +into his hand. Then, by dint of lashing, throwing stones, and +shouting, the animal was urged into a gallop. + The horse, not being guided by his rider, blind as himself, +sometimes ran into a tree, sometimes went quite off the road-- in +consequence, collisions and falls, which might have been +extremely dangerous.</p> + +<p>Michael did not complain. Not a murmur escaped him. + When his horse fell, he waited until it got up. + It was, indeed, soon assisted up, and the cruel fun +continued. + At sight of this wicked treatment, Nicholas could not contain +himself; he endeavored to go to his friend's aid. + He was prevented, and treated brutally.</p> + +<p>This game would have been prolonged, to the Tartars' great +amusement, had not a serious accident put an end to it. + On the 10th of September the blind horse ran away, and made +straight for a pit, some thirty or forty feet deep, at the side +of the road.</p> + +<p>Nicholas tried to go after him. He was held back. + The horse, having no guide, fell with his rider to the +bottom. + Nicholas and Nadia uttered a piercing cry! They believed that +their unfortunate companion had been killed.</p> + +<p>However, when they went to his assistance, it was found that +Michael, having been able to throw himself out of the saddle, was +unhurt, but the miserable horse had two legs broken, and was +quite useless. + He was left there to die without being put out of his suffering, +and Michael, fastened to a Tartar's saddle, was obliged to follow +the detachment on foot.</p> + +<p>Even now, not a protest, not a complaint! He marched with a +rapid step, scarcely drawn by the cord which tied him. + He was still "the Man of Iron," of whom General Kissoff had +spoken to the Czar!</p> + +<p>The next day, the 11th of September, the detachment passed +through the village of Chibarlinskoe. Here an incident occurred +which had serious consequences. It was nightfall. + The Tartar horsemen, having halted, were more or less +intoxicated. + They were about to start. Nadia, who till then, by a miracle, +had been respectfully treated by the soldiers, was insulted by +one of them.</p> + +<p>Michael could not see the insult, nor the insulter, but +Nicholas saw for him. Then, quietly, without thinking, without +perhaps knowing what he was doing, Nicholas walked straight up to +the man, and, before the latter could make the least movement to +stop him, had seized a pistol from his holster and discharged it +full at his breast.</p> + +<p>The officer in command of the detachment hastened up on +hearing the report. The soldiers would have cut the unfortunate +Nicholas to pieces, but at a sign from their officer, he was +bound instead, placed across a horse, and the detachment galloped +off.</p> + +<p>The rope which fastened Michael, gnawed through by him, broke +by the sudden start of the horse, and the half-tipsy rider +galloped on without perceiving that his prisoner had escaped.</p> + +<p>Michael and Nadia found themselves alone on the road.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER IX IN THE STEPPE</h2> + +<p>MICHAEL STROGOFF and Nadia were once more as free as they had +been in the journey from Perm to the banks of the Irtych. But how +the conditions under which they traveled were altered! + Then, a comfortable tarantass, fresh horses, well-kept +post-horses assured the rapidity of their journey. Now they were +on foot; it was utterly impossible to procure any other means of +locomotion, they were without resources, not knowing how to +obtain even food, and they had still nearly three hundred miles +to go! + Moreover, Michael could now only see with Nadia's eyes.</p> + +<p>As to the friend whom chance had given them, they had just +lost him, and fearful might be his fate. Michael had thrown +himself down under the brushwood at the side of the road. + Nadia stood beside him, waiting for the word from him to +continue the march.</p> + +<p>It was ten o'clock. The sun had more than three hours before +disappeared below the horizon. There was not a house in +sight. + The last of the Tartars was lost in the distance. + Michael and Nadia were quite alone.</p> + +<p> + "What will they do with our friend?" exclaimed the girl. + "Poor Nicholas! Our meeting will have been fatal to him!" + Michael made no response.</p> + +<p>"Michael," continued Nadia, "do you not know that he defended +you when you were the Tartars' sport; that he risked his life for +me?"</p> + +<p>Michael was still silent. Motionless, his face buried in his +hands; of what was he thinking? Perhaps, although he did not +answer, he heard Nadia speak.</p> + +<p>Yes! he heard her, for when the young girl added, "Where shall +I lead you, Michael?"</p> + +<p>"To Irkutsk!" he replied.</p> + +<p>"By the highroad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Nadia."</p> + +<p>Michael was still the same man who had sworn, whatever +happened, to accomplish his object. To follow the highroad, was +certainly to go the shortest way. If the vanguard of +Feofar-Khan's troops appeared, it would then be time to strike +across the country.</p> + +<p>Nadia took Michael's hand, and they started.</p> + +<p>The next morning, the 13th of September, twenty versts +further, they made a short halt in the village of Joulounov-skoe. +It was burnt and deserted. All night Nadia had tried to see if +the body of Nicholas had not been left on the road, but it was in +vain that she looked among the ruins, and searched among the +dead. + Was he reserved for some cruel torture at Irkutsk?</p> + +<p>Nadia, exhausted with hunger, was fortunate enough to find in +one of the houses a quantity of dried meat and "soukharis," +pieces of bread, which, dried by evaporation, preserve their +nutritive qualities for an indefinite time.</p> + +<p>Michael and the girl loaded themselves with as much as they +could carry. + They had thus a supply of food for several days, and as to +water, there would be no want of that in a district rendered +fertile by the numerous little affluents of the Angara.</p> + +<p>They continued their journey. Michael walked with a firm step, +and only slackened his pace for his companion's sake. + Nadia, not wishing to retard him, obliged herself to walk. + Happily, he could not see to what a miserable state fatigue had +reduced her.</p> + +<p>However, Michael guessed it. "You are quite done up, poor +child," + he said sometimes.</p> + +<p>"No," she would reply.</p> + +<p>"When you can no longer walk, I will carry you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Michael."</p> + +<p>During this day they came to the little river Oka, but it was +fordable, and they had no difficulty in crossing. The sky was +cloudy and the temperature moderate. There was some fear that the +rain might come on, which would much have increased their +misery. + A few showers fell, but they did not last.</p> + +<p>They went on as before, hand in hand, speaking little, Nadia +looking about on every side; twice a day they halted. + Six hours of the night were given to sleep. In a few huts Nadia +again found a little mutton; but, contrary to Michael's hopes, +there was not a single beast of burden in the country; horses, +camels--all had been either killed or carried off. + They must still continue to plod on across this weary steppe on +foot.</p> + +<p>The third Tartar column, on its way to Irkutsk, had left plain +traces: here a dead horse, there an abandoned cart. The bodies of +unfortunate Siberians lay along the road, principally at the +entrances to villages. + Nadia, overcoming her repugnance, looked at all these +corpses!</p> + +<p>The chief danger lay, not before, but behind. + The advance guard of the Emir's army, commanded by Ivan Ogareff, +might at any moment appear. The boats sent down the lower Yenisei +must by this time have reached Krasnoiarsk and been made use of. +The road was therefore open to the invaders. + No Russian force could be opposed to them between Krasnoiarsk +and Lake Baikal, Michael therefore expected before long the +appearance of the Tartar scouts.</p> + +<p>At each halt, Nadia climbed some hill and looked anxiously to +the Westward, but as yet no cloud of dust had signaled the +approach of a troop of horse.</p> + +<p>Then the march was resumed; and when Michael felt that he was +dragging poor Nadia forward too rapidly, he went at a slower +pace. + They spoke little, and only of Nicholas. The young girl recalled +all that this companion of a few days had done for them.</p> + +<p>In answering, Michael tried to give Nadia some hope of which +he did not feel a spark himself, for he well knew that the +unfortunate fellow would not escape death.</p> + +<p>One day Michael said to the girl, "You never speak to me of my +mother, Nadia."</p> + +<p>His mother! Nadia had never wished to do so. Why renew his +grief? + Was not the old Siberian dead? Had not her son given the last +kiss to her corpse stretched on the plain of Tomsk?</p> + +<p>"Speak to me of her, Nadia," said Michael. "Speak--you will +please me."</p> + +<p>And then Nadia did what she had not done before. She told all +that had passed between Marfa and herself since their meeting at +Omsk, where they had seen each other for the first time. + She said how an inexplicable instinct had led her towards the +old prisoner without knowing who she was, and what encouragement +she had received in return. At that time Michael Strogoff had +been to her but Nicholas Korpanoff.</p> + +<p>"Whom I ought always to have been," replied Michael, his brow +darkening.</p> + +<p>Then later he added, "I have broken my oath, Nadia. I had +sworn not to see my mother!"</p> + +<p>"But you did not try to see her, Michael," replied Nadia. +"Chance alone brought you into her presence."</p> + +<p>"I had sworn, whatever might happen, not to betray +myself."</p> + +<p>"Michael, Michael! at sight of the lash raised upon Marfa, +could you refrain? No! No oath could prevent a son from succoring +his mother!"</p> + +<p>"I have broken my oath, Nadia," returned Michael. "May God and +the Father pardon me!"</p> + +<p>"Michael," resumed the girl, "I have a question to ask +you. + Do not answer it if you think you ought not. Nothing from you +would vex me!"</p> + +<p>"Speak, Nadia."</p> + +<p>"Why, now that the Czar's letter has been taken from you, are +you so anxious to reach Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>Michael tightly pressed his companion's hand, but he did not +answer.</p> + +<p>"Did you know the contents of that letter before you left +Moscow?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not know."</p> + +<p>"Must I think, Michael, that the wish alone to place me in my +father's hands draws you toward Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"No, Nadia," replied Michael, gravely. "I should deceive you +if I allowed you to believe that it was so. I go where duty +orders me to go. As to taking you to Irkutsk, is it not you, +Nadia, who are now taking me there? + Do I not see with your eyes; and is it not your hand that guides +me? + Have you not repaid a hundred-fold the help which I was able to +give you at first? I do not know if fate will cease to go against +us; but the day on which you thank me for having placed you in +your father's hands, I in my turn will thank you for having led +me to Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>"Poor Michael!" answered Nadia, with emotion. "Do not speak +so. + That does not answer me. Michael, why, now, are you in such +haste to reach Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"Because I must be there before Ivan Ogareff," exclaimed +Michael.</p> + +<p>"Even now?"</p> + +<p>"Even now, and I will be there, too!"</p> + +<p>In uttering these words, Michael did not speak solely through +hatred to the traitor. Nadia understood that her companion had +not told, or could not tell, her all.</p> + +<p>On the 15th of September, three days later, the two reached +the village of Kouitounskoe. The young girl suffered +dreadfully. + Her aching feet could scarcely support her; but she fought, she +struggled, against her weariness, and her only thought was this: +"Since he cannot see me, I will go on till I drop."</p> + +<p>There were no obstacles on this part of the journey, no danger +either since the departure of the Tartars, only much fatigue. + For three days it continued thus. It was plain that the third +invading column was advancing rapidly in the East; that could be +seen by the ruins which they left after them-- the cold cinders +and the already decomposing corpses.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to be seen in the West; the Emir's +advance-guard had not yet appeared. Michael began to consider the +various reasons which might have caused this delay. + Was a sufficient force of Russians directly menacing Tomsk or +Krasnoiarsk? Did the third column, isolated from the others, run +a risk of being cut off? If this was the case, it would be easy +for the Grand Duke to defend Irkutsk, and any time gained against +an invasion was a step towards repulsing it. + Michael sometimes let his thoughts run on these hopes, but he +soon saw their improbability, and felt that the preservation of +the Grand Duke depended alone on him.</p> + +<p>Nadia dragged herself along. Whatever might be her moral +energy, her physical strength would soon fail her. + Michael knew it only too well. If he had not been blind, Nadia +would have said to him, "Go, Michael, leave me in some hut! + Reach Irkutsk! Accomplish your mission! See my father! + Tell him where I am! Tell him that I wait for him, and you both +will know where to find me! Start! I am not afraid! + I will hide myself from the Tartars! I will take care of myself +for him, for you! Go, Michael! I can go no farther!"</p> + +<p>Many times Nadia was obliged to stop. Michael then took her in +his strong arms and, having no longer to think of her fatigue, +walked more rapidly and with his indefatigable step.</p> + +<p>On the 18th of September, at ten in the evening, Kimilteiskoe +was at last entered. From the top of a hill, Nadia saw in the +horizon a long light line. It was the Dinka River. A few +lightning flashes were reflected in the water; summer lightning, +without thunder. + Nadia led her companion through the ruined village. + The cinders were quite cold. The last of the Tartars had passed +through at least five or six days before.</p> + +<p>Beyond the village, Nadia sank down on a stone bench. + "Shall we make a halt?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p>"It is night, Michael," answered Nadia. "Do you not want to +rest a few hours?"</p> + +<p>"I would rather have crossed the Dinka," replied Michael, "I +should like to put that between us and the Emir's advance-guard. +But you can scarcely drag yourself along, my poor Nadia!"</p> + +<p>"Come, Michael," returned Nadia, seizing her companion's hand +and drawing him forward.</p> + +<p>Two or three versts further the Dinka flowed across the +Irkutsk road. + The young girl wished to attempt this last effort asked by her +companion. + She found her way by the light from the flashes. They were then +crossing a boundless desert, in the midst of which was lost the +little river. + Not a tree nor a hillock broke the flatness. Not a breath +disturbed the atmosphere, whose calmness would allow the +slightest sound to travel an immense distance.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, Michael and Nadia stopped, as if their feet had been +fast to the ground. The barking of a dog came across the +steppe. + "Do you hear?" said Nadia.</p> + +<p>Then a mournful cry succeeded it--a despairing cry, like the +last appeal of a human being about to die.</p> + +<p>"Nicholas! Nicholas!" cried the girl, with a foreboding of +evil. + Michael, who was listening, shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Come, Michael, come," said Nadia. And she who just now was +dragging herself with difficulty along, suddenly recovered +strength, under violent excitement.</p> + +<p>"We have left the road," said Michael, feeling that he was +treading no longer on powdery soil but on short grass.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we must!" returned Nadia. "It was there, on the right, +from which the cry came!"</p> + +<p>In a few minutes they were not more than half a verst from the +river. + A second bark was heard, but, although more feeble, it was +certainly nearer. Nadia stopped.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" said Michael. "It is Serko barking! . . . He has +followed his master!"</p> + +<p>"Nicholas!" called the girl. Her cry was unanswered.</p> + +<p>Michael listened. Nadia gazed over the plain illumined now and +again with electric light, but she saw nothing. + And yet a voice was again raised, this time murmuring in a +plaintive tone, "Michael!"</p> + +<p>Then a dog, all bloody, bounded up to Nadia.</p> + +<p>It was Serko! Nicholas could not be far off! He alone could +have murmured the name of Michael! Where was he? + Nadia had no strength to call again. Michael, crawling on the +ground, felt about with his hands.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Serko uttered a fresh bark and darted towards a +gigantic bird which had swooped down. It was a vulture. When +Serko ran towards it, it rose, but returning struck at the dog. +The latter leapt up at it. + A blow from the formidable beak alighted on his head, and this +time Serko fell back lifeless on the ground.</p> + +<p>At the same moment a cry of horror escaped Nadia. "There . . . +there!" + she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>A head issued from the ground! She had stumbled against it in +the darkness.</p> + +<p>Nadia fell on her knees beside it. Nicholas buried up to his +neck, according to the atrocious Tartar custom, had been left in +the steppe to die of thirst, and perhaps by the teeth of wolves +or the beaks of birds of prey!</p> + +<p>Frightful torture for the victim imprisoned in the ground-- +the earth pressed down so that he cannot move, his arms bound to +his body like those of a corpse in its coffin! + The miserable wretch, living in the mold of clay from which he +is powerless to break out, can only long for the death which is +so slow in coming!</p> + +<p>There the Tartars had buried their prisoner three days +before! + For three days, Nicholas waited for the help which now came too +late! + The vultures had caught sight of the head on a level with the +ground, and for some hours the dog had been defending his master +against these ferocious birds!</p> + +<p>Michael dug at the ground with his knife to release his +friend! + The eyes of Nicholas, which till then had been closed, +opened.</p> + +<p>He recognized Michael and Nadia. "Farewell, my friends!" he +murmured. + "I am glad to have seen you again! Pray for me!"</p> + +<p>Michael continued to dig, though the ground, having been +tightly rammed down, was as hard as stone, and he managed at last +to get out the body of the unhappy man. He listened if his heart +was still beating. . . . It was still!</p> + +<p>He wished to bury him, that he might not be left exposed; and +the hole into which Nicholas had been placed when living, was +enlarged, so that he might be laid in it--dead! The faithful +Serko was laid by his master.</p> + +<p>At that moment, a noise was heard on the road, about half a +verst distant. Michael Strogoff listened. It was evidently a +detachment of horse advancing towards the Dinka. "Nadia, +Nadia!" + he said in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Nadia, who was kneeling in prayer, arose. "Look, look!" said +he.</p> + +<p>"The Tartars!" she whispered.</p> + +<p>It was indeed the Emir's advance-guard, passing rapidly along +the road to Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>"They shall not prevent me from burying him!" said Michael. +And he continued his work.</p> + +<p>Soon, the body of Nicholas, the hands crossed on the breast, +was laid in the grave. Michael and Nadia, kneeling, prayed a last +time for the poor fellow, inoffensive and good, who had paid for +his devotion towards them with his life.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Michael, as he threw in the earth, "the wolves +of the steppe will not devour him."</p> + +<p>Then he shook his fist at the troop of horsemen who were +passing. + "Forward, Nadia!" he said.</p> + +<p>Michael could not follow the road, now occupied by the +Tartars. He must cross the steppe and turn to Irkutsk. He had not +now to trouble himself about crossing the Dinka. Nadia could not +move, but she could see for him. He took her in his arms and went +on towards the southwest of the province.</p> + +<p>A hundred and forty miles still remained to be traversed. + How was the distance to be performed? Should they not succumb to +such fatigue? On what were they to live on the way? + By what superhuman energy were they to pass the slopes of the +Sayansk Mountains? Neither he nor Nadia could answer this!</p> + +<p>And yet, twelve days after, on the 2d of October, at six +o'clock in the evening, a wide sheet of water lay at Michael +Strogoff's feet. + It was Lake Baikal.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER X BAIKAL AND ANGARA</h2> + +<p>LAKE BAIKAL is situated seventeen hundred feet above the level +of the sea. Its length is about six hundred miles, its breadth +seventy. + Its depth is not known. Madame de Bourboulon states that, +according to the boatmen, it likes to be spoken of as "Madam +Sea." If it is called "Sir Lake," it immediately lashes itself +into fury. + However, it is reported and believed by the Siberians that a +Russian is never drowned in it.</p> + +<p>This immense basin of fresh water, fed by more than three +hundred rivers, is surrounded by magnificent volcanic +mountains. + It has no other outlet than the Angara, which after passing +Irkutsk throws itself into the Yenisei, a little above the town +of Yeniseisk. As to the mountains which encase it, they form a +branch of the Toungouzes, and are derived from the vast system of +the Altai.</p> + +<p> + In this territory, subject to peculiar climatical conditions, +the autumn appears to be absorbed in the precocious winter. + It was now the beginning of October. The sun set at five o'clock +in the evening, and during the long nights the temperature fell +to zero. + The first snows, which would last till summer, already whitened +the summits of the neighboring hills. During the Siberian winter +this inland sea is frozen over to a thickness of several feet, +and is crossed by the sleighs of caravans.</p> + +<p>Either because there are people who are so wanting in +politeness as to call it "Sir Lake," or for some more +meteorological reason, Lake Baikal is subject to violent +tempests. Its waves, short like those of all inland seas, are +much feared by the rafts, prahms, and steamboats, which furrow it +during the summer.</p> + +<p>It was the southwest point of the lake which Michael had now +reached, carrying Nadia, whose whole life, so to speak, was +concentrated in her eyes. But what could these two expect, in +this wild region, if it was not to die of exhaustion and +famine? + And yet, what remained of the long journey of four thousand +miles for the Czar's courier to reach his end? Nothing but forty +miles on the shore of the lake up to the mouth of the Angara, and +sixty miles from the mouth of the Angara to Irkutsk; in all, a +hundred miles, or three days' journey for a strong man, even on +foot.</p> + +<p>Could Michael Strogoff still be that man?</p> + +<p>Heaven, no doubt, did not wish to put him to this trial. + The fatality which had hitherto pursued his steps seemed for a +time to spare him. This end of the Baikal, this part of the +steppe, which he believed to be a desert, which it usually is, +was not so now. + About fifty people were collected at the angle formed by the end +of the lake.</p> + +<p>Nadia immediately caught sight of this group, when Michael, +carrying her in his arms, issued from the mountain pass. + The girl feared for a moment that it was a Tartar detachment, +sent to beat the shores of the Baikal, in which case flight would +have been impossible to them both. But Nadia was soon +reassured.</p> + +<p>"Russians!" she exclaimed. And with this last effort, her eyes +closed and her head fell on Michael's breast.</p> + +<p>But they had been seen, and some of these Russians, running to +them, led the blind man and the girl to a little point at which +was moored a raft.</p> + +<p>The raft was just going to start. These Russians were +fugitives of different conditions, whom the same interest had +united at Lake Baikal. Driven back by the Tartar scouts, they +hoped to obtain a refuge at Irkutsk, but not being able to get +there by land, the invaders having occupied both banks of the +Angara, they hoped to reach it by descending the river which +flows through the town.</p> + +<p>Their plan made Michael's heart leap; a last chance was before +him, but he had strength to conceal this, wishing to keep his +incognito more strictly than ever.</p> + +<p>The fugitives' plan was very simple. A current in the lake +runs along by the upper bank to the mouth of the Angara; this +current they hoped to utilize, and with its assistance to reach +the outlet of Lake Baikal. From this point to Irkutsk, the rapid +waters of the river would bear them along at a rate of eight +miles an hour. + In a day and a half they might hope to be in sight of the +town.</p> + +<p>No kind of boat was to be found; they had been obliged to make +one; a raft, or rather a float of wood, similar to those which +usually are drifted down Siberian rivers, was constructed. A +forest of firs, growing on the bank, had supplied the necessary +materials; the trunks, fastened together with osiers, made a +platform on which a hundred people could have easily found +room.</p> + +<p>On board this raft Michael and Nadia were taken. The girl had +returned to herself; some food was given to her as well as to her +companion. + Then, lying on a bed of leaves, she soon fell into a deep +sleep.</p> + +<p>To those who questioned him, Michael Strogoff said nothing of +what had taken place at Tomsk. He gave himself out as an +inhabitant of Krasnoiarsk, who had not been able to get to +Irkutsk before the Emir's troops arrived on the left bank of the +Dinka, and he added that, very probably, the bulk of the Tartar +forces had taken up a position before the Siberian capital.</p> + +<p>There was not a moment to be lost; besides, the cold was +becoming more and more severe. During the night the temperature +fell below zero; ice was already forming on the surface of the +Baikal. Although the raft managed to pass easily over the lake, +it might not be so easy between the banks of the Angara, should +pieces of ice be found to block up its course.</p> + +<p>At eight in the evening the moorings were cast off, and the +raft drifted in the current along the shore. It was steered by +means of long poles, under the management of several muscular +moujiks. + An old Baikal boatman took command of the raft. + He was a man of sixty-five, browned by the sun, and lake +breezes. + A thick white beard flowed over his chest; a fur cap covered his +head; his aspect was grave and austere. His large great-coat, +fastened in at the waist, reached down to his heels. + This taciturn old fellow was seated in the stern, and issued his +commands by gestures. Besides, the chief work consisted in +keeping the raft in the current, which ran along the shore, +without drifting out into the open.</p> + +<p>It has been already said that Russians of all conditions had +found a place on the raft. Indeed, to the poor moujiks, the +women, old men, and children, were joined two or three pilgrims, +surprised on their journey by the invasion; a few monks, and a +priest. + The pilgrims carried a staff, a gourd hung at the belt, and they +chanted psalms in a plaintive voice: one came from the Ukraine, +another from the Yellow sea, and a third from the Finland +provinces. + This last, who was an aged man, carried at his waist a little +padlocked collecting-box, as if it had been hung at a church +door. + Of all that he collected during his long and fatiguing +pilgrimage, nothing was for himself; he did not even possess the +key of the box, which would only be opened on his return.</p> + +<p>The monks came from the North of the Empire. Three months +before they had left the town of Archangel. They had visited the +sacred islands near the coast of Carelia, the convent of +Solovetsk, the convent of Troitsa, those of Saint Antony and +Saint Theodosia, at Kiev, that of Kazan, as well as the church of +the Old Believers, and they were now on their way to Irkutsk, +wearing the robe, the cowl, and the clothes of serge.</p> + +<p>As to the papa, or priest, he was a plain village pastor, one +of the six hundred thousand popular pastors which the Russian +Empire contains. + He was clothed as miserably as the moujiks, not being above them +in social position; in fact, laboring like a peasant on his plot +of ground; baptis-ing, marrying, burying. He had been able to +protect his wife and children from the brutality of the Tartars +by sending them away into the Northern provinces. + He himself had stayed in his parish up to the last moment; then +he was obliged to fly, and, the Irkutsk road being stopped, had +come to Lake Baikal.</p> + +<p>These priests, grouped in the forward part of the raft, prayed +at regular intervals, raising their voices in the silent night, +and at the end of each sentence of their prayer, the "Slava +Bogu," Glory to God! issued from their lips.</p> + +<p>No incident took place during the night. Nadia remained in a +sort of stupor, and Michael watched beside her; sleep only +overtook him at long intervals, and even then his brain did not +rest. + At break of day, the raft, delayed by a strong breeze, which +counteracted the course of the current, was still forty versts +from the mouth of the Angara. It seemed probable that the +fugitives could not reach it before three or four o'clock in the +evening. + This did not trouble them; on the contrary, for they would then +descend the river during the night, and the darkness would also +favor their entrance into Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>The only anxiety exhibited at times by the old boatman was +concerning the formation of ice on the surface of the water. + The night had been excessively cold; pieces of ice could be seen +drifting towards the West. Nothing was to be dreaded from these, +since they could not drift into the Angara, having already passed +the mouth; but pieces from the Eastern end of the lake might be +drawn by the current between the banks of the river; this would +cause difficulty, possibly delay, and perhaps even an +insurmountable obstacle which would stop the raft.</p> + +<p>Michael therefore took immense interest in ascertaining what +was the state of the lake, and whether any large number of ice +blocks appeared. + Nadia being now awake, he questioned her often, and she gave him +an account of all that was going on.</p> + +<p>Whilst the blocks were thus drifting, curious phenomena were +taking place on the surface of the Baikal. Magnificent jets, from +springs of boiling water, shot up from some of those artesian +wells which Nature has bored in the very bed of the lake. + These jets rose to a great height and spread out in vapor, which +was illuminated by the solar rays, and almost immediately +condensed by the cold. This curious sight would have assuredly +amazed a tourist traveling in peaceful times on this Siberian +sea.</p> + +<p>At four in the evening, the mouth of the Angara was signaled +by the old boatman, between the high granite rocks of the +shore. + On the right bank could be seen the little port of +Livenitchnaia, its church, and its few houses built on the bank. +But the serious thing was that the ice blocks from the East were +already drifting between the banks of the Angara, and +consequently were descending towards Irkutsk. However, their +number was not yet great enough to obstruct the course of the +raft, nor the cold great enough to increase their number.</p> + +<p>The raft arrived at the little port and there stopped. The old +boatman wished to put into harbor for an hour, in order to make +some repairs. + The trunks threatened to separate, and it was important to +fasten them more securely together to resist the rapid current of +the Angara.</p> + +<p>The old boatman did not expect to receive any fresh fugitives +at Livenitchnaia, and yet, the moment the raft touched, two +passengers, issuing from a deserted house, ran as fast as they +could towards the beach.</p> + +<p>Nadia seated on the raft, was abstractedly gazing at the +shore. + A cry was about to escape her. She seized Michael's hand, who at +that moment raised his head.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Nadia?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Our two traveling companions, Michael."</p> + +<p>"The Frenchman and the Englishman whom we met in the defiles +of the Ural?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Michael started, for the strict incognito which he wished to +keep ran a risk of being betrayed. Indeed, it was no longer as +Nicholas Korpanoff that Jolivet and Blount would now see him, but +as the true Michael Strogoff, Courier of the Czar. The two +correspondents had already met him twice since their separation +at the Ichim post-house--the first time at the Zabediero camp, +when he laid open Ivan Ogareff's face with the knout; the second +time at Tomsk, when he was condemned by the Emir. They therefore +knew who he was and what depended on him.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff rapidly made up his mind. "Nadia," said he, +"when they step on board, ask them to come to me!"</p> + +<p>It was, in fact, Blount and Jolivet, whom the course of events +had brought to the port of Livenitchnaia, as it had brought +Michael Strogoff. As we know, after having been present at the +entry of the Tartars into Tomsk, they had departed before the +savage execution which terminated the fete. + They had therefore never suspected that their former traveling +companion had not been put to death, but blinded by order of the +Emir.</p> + +<p>Having procured horses they had left Tomsk the same evening, +with the fixed determination of henceforward dating their letters +from the Russian camp of Eastern Siberia. They proceeded by +forced marches towards Irkutsk. They hoped to distance +Feofar-Khan, and would certainly have done so, had it not been +for the unexpected apparition of the third column, come from the +South, up the valley of the Yenisei. They had been cut off, as +had been Michael, before being able even to reach the Dinka, and +had been obliged to go back to Lake Baikal.</p> + +<p>They had been in the place for three days in much perplexity, +when the raft arrived. The fugitives' plan was explained to +them. + There was certainly a chance that they might be able to pass +under cover of the night, and penetrate into Irkutsk. They +resolved to make the attempt.</p> + +<p>Alcide directly communicated with the old boatman, and asked a +passage for himself and his companion, offering to pay anything +he demanded, whatever it might be.</p> + +<p>"No one pays here," replied the old man gravely; "every one +risks his life, that is all!"</p> + +<p>The two correspondents came on board, and Nadia saw them take +their places in the forepart of the raft. Harry Blount was still +the reserved Englishman, who had scarcely addressed a word to her +during the whole passage over the Ural Mountains. Alcide Jolivet +seemed to be rather more grave than usual, and it may be +acknowledged that his gravity was justified by the +circumstances.</p> + +<p>Jolivet had, as has been said, taken his seat on the raft, +when he felt a hand laid on his arm. Turning, he recognized +Nadia, the sister of the man who was no longer Nicholas +Korpanoff, but Michael Strogoff, Courier of the Czar. He was +about to make an exclamation of surprise when he saw the young +girl lay her finger on her lips.</p> + +<p>"Come," said Nadia. And with a careless air, Alcide rose and +followed her, making a sign to Blount to accompany him.</p> + +<p>But if the surprise of the correspondents had been great at +meeting Nadia on the raft it was boundless when they perceived +Michael Strogoff, whom they had believed to be no longer +living.</p> + +<p>Michael had not moved at their approach. Jolivet turned +towards the girl. "He does not see you, gentlemen," said Nadia. +"The Tartars have burnt out his eyes! My poor brother is +blind!"</p> + +<p>A feeling of lively compassion exhibited itself on the faces +of Blount and his companion. In a moment they were seated beside +Michael, pressing his hand and waiting until he spoke to +them.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Michael, in a low voice, "you ought not to +know who I am, nor what I am come to do in Siberia. I ask you to +keep my secret. + Will you promise me to do so?"</p> + +<p>"On my honor," answered Jolivet.</p> + +<p>"On my word as a gentleman," added Blount.</p> + +<p>"Good, gentlemen."</p> + +<p>"Can we be of any use to you?" asked Harry Blount. "Could we +not help you to accomplish your task?"</p> + +<p>"I prefer to act alone," replied Michael.</p> + +<p>"But those blackguards have destroyed your sight," said +Alcide.</p> + +<p>"I have Nadia, and her eyes are enough for me!"</p> + +<p>In half an hour the raft left the little port of +Livenitchnaia, and entered the river. It was five in the evening +and getting dusk. + The night promised to be dark and very cold also, for the +temperature was already below zero.</p> + +<p>Alcide and Blount, though they had promised to keep Michael's +secret, did not leave him. They talked in a low voice, and the +blind man, adding what they told him to what he already knew, was +able to form an exact idea of the state of things. + It was certain that the Tartars had actually invested Irkutsk, +and that the three columns had effected a junction. + There was no doubt that the Emir and Ivan Ogareff were before +the capital.</p> + +<p>But why did the Czar's courier exhibit such haste to get +there, now that the Imperial letter could no longer be given by +him to the Grand Duke, and when he did not even know the contents +of it? + Alcide Jolivet and Blount could not understand it any more than +Nadia had done.</p> + +<p>No one spoke of the past, except when Jolivet thought it his +duty to say to Michael, "We owe you some apology for not shaking +hands with you when we separated at Ichim."</p> + +<p>"No, you had reason to think me a coward!"</p> + +<p>"At any rate," added the Frenchman, "you knouted the face of +that villain finely, and he will carry the mark of it for a long +time!"</p> + +<p>"No, not a long time!" replied Michael quietly.</p> + +<p>Half an hour after leaving Livenitchnaia, Blount and his +companion were acquainted with the cruel trials through which +Michael and his companion had successively passed. They could not +but heartily admire his energy, which was only equaled by the +young girl's devotion. + Their opinion of Michael was exactly what the Czar had expressed +at Moscow: "Indeed, this is a Man!"</p> + +<p>The raft swiftly threaded its way among the blocks of ice +which were carried along in the current of the Angara. A moving +panorama was displayed on both sides of the river, and, by an +optical illusion, it appeared as if it was the raft which was +motionless before a succession of picturesque scenes. + Here were high granite cliffs, there wild gorges, down which +rushed a torrent; sometimes appeared a clearing with a still +smoking village, then thick pine forests blazing. + But though the Tartars had left their traces on all sides, they +themselves were not to be seen as yet, for they were more +especially massed at the approaches to Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>All this time the pilgrims were repeating their prayers aloud, +and the old boatman, shoving away the blocks of ice which pressed +too near them, imperturbably steered the raft in the middle of +the rapid current of the Angara.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XI BETWEEN TWO BANKS</h2> + +<p>BY eight in the evening, the country, as the state of the sky +had foretold, was enveloped in complete darkness. The moon being +new had not yet risen. From the middle of the river the banks +were invisible. + The cliffs were confounded with the heavy, low-hanging +clouds. + At intervals a puff of wind came from the east, but it soon died +away in the narrow valley of the Angara.</p> + +<p>The darkness could not fail to favor in a considerable degree +the plans of the fugitives. Indeed, although the Tartar outposts +must have been drawn up on both banks, the raft had a good chance +of passing unperceived. It was not likely either that the +besiegers would have barred the river above Irkutsk, since they +knew that the Russians could not expect any help from the south +of the province. + Besides this, before long Nature would herself establish a +barrier, by cementing with frost the blocks of ice accumulated +between the two banks.</p> + +<p> + Perfect silence now reigned on board the raft. The voices of the +pilgrims were no longer heard. They still prayed, but their +prayer was but a murmur, which could not reach as far as either +bank. The fugitives lay flat on the platform, so that the raft +was scarcely above the level of the water. + The old boatman crouched down forward among his men, solely +occupied in keeping off the ice blocks, a maneuver which was +performed without noise.</p> + +<p>The drifting of the ice was a favorable circumstance so long +as it did not offer an insurmountable obstacle to the passage of +the raft. + If that object had been alone on the water, it would have run a +risk of being seen, even in the darkness, but, as it was, it was +confounded with these moving masses, of all shapes and sizes, and +the tumult caused by the crashing of the blocks against each +other concealed likewise any suspicious noises.</p> + +<p>There was a sharp frost. The fugitives suffered cruelly, +having no other shelter than a few branches of birch. + They cowered down together, endeavoring to keep each other warm, +the temperature being now ten degrees below freezing point. + The wind, though slight, having passed over the snow-clad +mountains of the east, pierced them through and through.</p> + +<p>Michael and Nadia, lying in the afterpart of the raft, bore +this increase of suffering without complaint. + Jolivet and Blount, placed near them, stood these first assaults +of the Siberian winter as well as they could. No one now spoke, +even in a low voice. Their situation entirely absorbed them. + At any moment an incident might occur, which they could not +escape unscathed.</p> + +<p>For a man who hoped soon to accomplish his mission, Michael +was singularly calm. Even in the gravest conjunctures, his energy +had never abandoned him. He already saw the moment when he would +be at last allowed to think of his mother, of Nadia, of himself! +He now only dreaded one final unhappy chance; this was, that the +raft might be completely barred by ice before reaching Irkutsk. +He thought but of this, determined beforehand, if necessary, to +attempt some bold stroke.</p> + +<p>Restored by a few hours' rest, Nadia had regained the physical +energy which misery had sometimes overcome, although without ever +having shaken her moral energy. She thought, too, that if Michael +had to make any fresh effort to attain his end, she must be there +to guide him. + But in proportion as she drew nearer to Irkutsk, the image of +her father rose more and more clearly before her mind. She saw +him in the invested town, far from those he loved, but, as she +never doubted, struggling against the invaders with all the +spirit of his patriotism. + In a few hours, if Heaven favored them, she would be in his +arms, giving him her mother's last words, and nothing should ever +separate them again. + If the term of Wassili Fedor's exile should never come to an +end, his daughter would remain exiled with him. Then, by a +natural transition, she came back to him who would have enabled +her to see her father once more, to that generous companion, that +"brother," who, the Tartars driven back, would retake the road to +Moscow, whom she would perhaps never meet again!</p> + +<p>As to Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount, they had one and the +same thought, which was, that the situation was extremely +dramatic, and that, well worked up, it would furnish a most +deeply interesting article. + The Englishman thought of the readers of the Daily Telegraph, +and the Frenchman of those of his Cousin Madeleine. At heart, +both were not without feeling some emotion.</p> + +<p>"Well, so much the better!" thought Alcide Jolivet, "to move +others, one must be moved one's self! I believe there is some +celebrated verse on the subject, but hang me if I can recollect +it!" + And with his well-practiced eyes he endeavored to pierce the +gloom of the river.</p> + +<p>Every now and then a burst of light dispelling the darkness +for a time, exhibited the banks under some fantastic aspect-- +either a forest on fire, or a still burning village. + The Angara was occasionally illuminated from one bank to the +other. + The blocks of ice formed so many mirrors, which, reflecting the +flames on every point and in every color, were whirled along by +the caprice of the current. The raft passed unperceived in the +midst of these floating masses.</p> + +<p>The danger was not at these points.</p> + +<p>But a peril of another nature menaced the fugitives. One that +they could not foresee, and, above all, one that they could not +avoid. + Chance discovered it to Alcide Jolivet in this way:--Lying at +the right side of the raft, he let his hand hang over into the +water. + Suddenly he was surprised by the impression made on it by the +current. + It seemed to be of a slimy consistency, as if it had been made +of mineral oil. Alcide, aiding his touch by his sense of smell, +could not be mistaken. It was really a layer of liquid naphtha, +floating on the surface of the river!</p> + +<p>Was the raft really floating on this substance, which is in +the highest degree combustible? Where had this naphtha come +from? + Was it a natural phenomenon taking place on the surface of the +Angara, or was it to serve as an engine of destruction, put in +motion by the Tartars? Did they intend to carry conflagration +into Irkutsk?</p> + +<p>Such were the questions which Alcide asked himself, but he +thought it best to make this incident known only to Harry Blount, +and they both agreed in not alarming their companions by +revealing to them this new danger.</p> + +<p>It is known that the soil of Central Asia is like a sponge +impregnated with liquid hydrogen. At the port of Bakou, on the +Persian frontier, on the Caspian Sea, in Asia Minor, in China, on +the Yuen-Kiang, in the Burman Empire, springs of mineral oil rise +in thousands to the surface of the ground. + It is an "oil country," similar to the one which bears this name +in North America.</p> + +<p>During certain religious festivals, principally at the port of +Bakou, the natives, who are fire-worshipers, throw liquid naphtha +on the surface of the sea, which buoys it up, its density being +inferior to that of water. Then at nightfall, when a layer of +mineral oil is thus spread over the Caspian, they light it, and +exhibit the matchless spectacle of an ocean of fire undulating +and breaking into waves under the breeze.</p> + +<p>But what is only a sign of rejoicing at Bakou, might prove a +fearful disaster on the waters of the Angara. Whether it was set +on fire by malevolence or imprudence, in the twinkling of an eye +a conflagration might spread beyond Irkutsk. On board the raft no +imprudence was to be feared; but everything was to be dreaded +from the conflagrations on both banks of the Angara, for should a +lighted straw or even a spark blow into the water, it would +inevitably set the whole current of naphtha in a blaze.</p> + +<p>The apprehensions of Jolivet and Blount may be better +understood than described. Would it not be prudent, in face of +this new danger, to land on one of the banks and wait there? + "At any rate," said Alcide, "whatever the danger may be, I know +some one who will not land!"</p> + +<p>He alluded to Michael Strogoff.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, on glided the raft among the masses of ice +which were gradually getting closer and closer together. + Up till then, no Tartar detachment had been seen, which showed +that the raft was not abreast of the outposts. + At about ten o'clock, however, Harry Blount caught sight of a +number of black objects moving on the ice blocks. + Springing from one to the other, they rapidly approached.</p> + +<p>"Tartars!" he thought. And creeping up to the old boatman, he +pointed out to him the suspicious objects.</p> + +<p>The old man looked attentively. "They are only wolves!" said +he. + "I like them better than Tartars. But we must defend ourselves, +and without noise!"</p> + +<p>The fugitives would indeed have to defend themselves against +these ferocious beasts, whom hunger and cold had sent roaming +through the province. They had smelt out the raft, and would soon +attack it. + The fugitives must struggle without using firearms, for they +could not now be far from the Tartar posts. The women and +children were collected in the middle of the raft, and the men, +some armed with poles, others with their knives, stood prepared +to repulse their assailants. + They did not make a sound, but the howls of the wolves filled +the air.</p> + +<p>Michael did not wish to remain inactive. He lay down at the +side attacked by the savage pack. He drew his knife, and every +time that a wolf passed within his reach, his hand found out the +way to plunge his weapon into its throat. + Neither were Jolivet and Blount idle, but fought bravely with +the brutes. Their companions gallantly seconded them. + The battle was carried on in silence, although many of the +fugitives received severe bites.</p> + +<p>The struggle did not appear as if it would soon terminate. + The pack was being continually reinforced from the right bank of +the Angara. "This will never be finished!" said Alcide, +brandishing his dagger, red with blood.</p> + +<p>In fact, half an hour after the commencement of the attack, +the wolves were still coming in hundreds across the ice. The +exhausted fugitives were getting weaker. The fight was going +against them. + At that moment, a group of ten huge wolves, raging with hunger, +their eyes glowing in the darkness like red coals, sprang onto +the raft. + Jolivet and his companion threw themselves into the midst of the +fierce beasts, and Michael was finding his way towards them, when +a sudden change took place.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the wolves had deserted not only the raft, +but also the ice on the river. All the black bodies dispersed, +and it was soon certain that they had in all haste regained the +shore. + Wolves, like other beasts of prey, require darkness for their +proceedings, and at that moment a bright light illuminated the +entire river.</p> + +<p>It was the blaze of an immense fire. The whole of the small +town of Poshkavsk was burning. The Tartars were indeed there, +finishing their work. From this point, they occupied both banks +beyond Irkutsk. The fugitives had by this time reached the +dangerous part of their voyage, and they were still twenty miles +from the capital.</p> + +<p>It was now half past eleven. The raft continued to glide on +amongst the ice, with which it was quite mingled, but gleams of +light sometimes fell upon it. The fugitives stretched on the +platform did not permit themselves to make a movement by which +they might be betrayed.</p> + +<p>The conflagration was going on with frightful rapidity. + The houses, built of fir-wood, blazed like torches--a hundred +and fifty flaming at once. With the crackling of the fire was +mingled the yells of the Tartars. The old boatman, getting a +foothold on a near piece of ice, managed to shove the raft +towards the right bank, by doing which a distance of from three +to four hundred feet divided it from the flames of Poshkavsk.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the fugitives, lighted every now and then by the +glare, would have been undoubtedly perceived had not the +incendiaries been too much occupied in their work of +destruction.</p> + +<p>It may be imagined what were the apprehensions of Jolivet and +Blount, when they thought of the combustible liquid on which the +raft floated. + Sparks flew in millions from the houses, which resembled so many +glowing furnaces. They rose among the volumes of smoke to a +height of five or six hundred feet. On the right bank, the trees +and cliffs exposed to the fire looked as if they likewise were +burning. A spark falling on the surface of the Angara would be +sufficient to spread the flames along the current, and to carry +disaster from one bank to the other. + The result of this would be in a short time the destruction of +the raft and of all those which it carried.</p> + +<p>But, happily, the breeze did not blow from that side. + It came from the east, and drove the flames towards the +left. + It was just possible that the fugitives would escape this +danger. + The blazing town was at last passed. Little by little the glare +grew dimmer, the crackling became fainter, and the flames at last +disappeared behind the high cliffs which arose at an abrupt turn +of the river.</p> + +<p>By this time it was nearly midnight. The deep gloom again +threw its protecting shadows over the raft. The Tartars were +there, going to and fro near the river. They could not be seen, +but they could be heard. + The fires of the outposts burned brightly.</p> + +<p>In the meantime it had become necessary to steer more +carefully among the blocks of ice. The old boatman stood up, and +the moujiks resumed their poles. They had plenty of work, the +management of the raft becoming more and more difficult as the +river was further obstructed.</p> + +<p>Michael had crept forward; Jolivet followed; both listened to +what the old boatman and his men were saying.</p> + +<p>"Look out on the right!"</p> + +<p>"There are blocks drifting on to us on the left!"</p> + +<p>"Fend! fend off with your boat-hook!"</p> + +<p>"Before an hour is past we shall be stopped!"</p> + +<p>"If it is God's will!" answered the old man. "Against His will +there is nothing to be done."</p> + +<p>"You hear them," said Alcide.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Michael, "but God is with us!"</p> + +<p>The situation became more and more serious. Should the raft be +stopped, not only would the fugitives not reach Irkutsk, but they +would be obliged to leave their floating platform, for it would +be very soon smashed to pieces in the ice. + The osier ropes would break, the fir trunks torn asunder would +drift under the hard crust, and the unhappy people would have no +refuge but the ice blocks themselves. Then, when day came, they +would be seen by the Tartars, and massacred without mercy!</p> + +<p>Michael returned to the spot where Nadia was waiting for +him. + He approached the girl, took her hand, and put to her the +invariable question: "Nadia, are you ready?" to which she replied +as usual, "I am ready!"</p> + +<p>For a few versts more the raft continued to drift amongst the +floating ice. Should the river narrow, it would soon form an +impassable barrier. Already they seemed to drift slower. + Every moment they encountered severe shocks or were compelled to +make detours; now, to avoid running foul of a block, there to +enter a channel, of which it was necessary to take advantage. + At length the stoppages became still more alarming. + There were only a few more hours of night. Could the fugitives +not reach Irkutsk by five o'clock in the morning, they must lose +all hope of ever getting there at all.</p> + +<p>At half-past one, notwithstanding all efforts, the raft came +up against a thick barrier and stuck fast. The ice, which was +drifting down behind it, pressed it still closer, and kept it +motionless, as though it had been stranded.</p> + +<p>At this spot the Angara narrowed, it being half its usual +breadth. + This was the cause of the accumulation of ice, which became +gradually soldered together, under the double influence of the +increased pressure and of the cold. Five hundred feet beyond, the +river widened again, and the blocks, gradually detaching +themselves from the floe, continued to drift towards Irkutsk. It +was probable that had the banks not narrowed, the barrier would +not have formed. + But the misfortune was irreparable, and the fugitives must give +up all hope of attaining their object.</p> + +<p>Had they possessed the tools usually employed by whalers to +cut channels through the ice-fields--had they been able to get +through to where the river widened--they might have been +saved. + But they had nothing which could make the least incision in the +ice, hard as granite in the excessive frost. + What were they to do?</p> + +<p>At that moment several shots on the right bank startled the +unhappy fugitives. A shower of balls fell on the raft. + The devoted passengers had been seen. Immediately afterwards +shots were heard fired from the left bank. The fugitives, taken +between two fires, became the mark of the Tartar +sharpshooters. + Several were wounded, although in the darkness it was only by +chance that they were hit.</p> + +<p>"Come, Nadia," whispered Michael in the girl's ear.</p> + +<p>Without making a single remark, "ready for anything," + Nadia took Michael's hand.</p> + +<p>"We must cross the barrier," he said in a low tone. + "Guide me, but let no one see us leave the raft."</p> + +<p>Nadia obeyed. Michael and she glided rapidly over the floe in +the obscurity, only broken now and again by the flashes from the +muskets. Nadia crept along in front of Michael. The shot fell +around them like a tempest of hail, and pattered on the ice. + Their hands were soon covered with blood from the sharp and +rugged ice over which they clambered, but still on they went.</p> + +<p>In ten minutes, the other side of the barrier was reached. + There the waters of the Angara again flowed freely. + Several pieces of ice, detached gradually from the floe, were +swept along in the current down towards the town. + Nadia guessed what Michael wished to attempt. One of the blocks +was only held on by a narrow strip.</p> + +<p>"Come," said Nadia. And the two crouched on the piece of ice, +which their weight detached from the floe.</p> + +<p>It began to drift. The river widened, the way was open. + Michael and Nadia heard the shots, the cries of distress, the +yells of the Tartars. Then, little by little, the sounds of agony +and of ferocious joy grew faint in the distance.</p> + +<p>"Our poor companions!" murmured Nadia.</p> + +<p>For half an hour the current hurried along the block of ice +which bore Michael and Nadia. They feared every moment that it +would give way beneath them. Swept along in the middle of the +current, it was unnecessary to give it an oblique direction until +they drew near the quays of Irkutsk. Michael, his teeth tight +set, his ear on the strain, did not utter a word. Never had he +been so near his object. + He felt that he was about to attain it!</p> + +<p>Towards two in the morning a double row of lights glittered on +the dark horizon in which were confounded the two banks of the +Angara. On the right hand were the lights of Irkutsk; on the +left, the fires of the Tartar camp.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff was not more than half a verst from the +town. + "At last!" he murmured.</p> + +<p>But suddenly Nadia uttered a cry.</p> + +<p>At the cry Michael stood up on the ice, which was +wavering. + His hand was extended up the Angara. His face, on which a bluish +light cast a peculiar hue, became almost fearful to look at, and +then, as if his eyes had been opened to the bright blaze +spreading across the river, "Ah!" he exclaimed, "then Heaven +itself is against us!"</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XII IRKUTSK</h2> + +<p>IRKUTSK, the capital of Eastern Siberia, is a populous town, +containing, in ordinary times, thirty thousand inhabitants. + On the right side of the Angara rises a hill, on which are built +numerous churches, a lofty cathedral, and dwellings disposed in +picturesque disorder.</p> + +<p>Seen at a distance, from the top of the mountain which rises +at about twenty versts off along the Siberian highroad, this +town, with its cupolas, its bell-towers, its steeples slender as +minarets, its domes like pot-bellied Chinese jars, presents +something of an oriental aspect. But this similarity vanishes as +the traveler enters.</p> + +<p>The town, half Byzantine, half Chinese, becomes European as +soon as he sees its macadamized roads, bordered with pavements, +traversed by canals, planted with gigantic birches, its houses of +brick and wood, some of which have several stories, the numerous +equipages which drive along, not only tarantasses but broughams +and coaches; lastly, its numerous inhabitants far advanced in +civilization, to whom the latest Paris fashions are not +unknown.</p> + +<p> + Being the refuge for all the Siberians of the province, Irkutsk +was at this time very full. Stores of every kind had been +collected in abundance. Irkutsk is the emporium of the +innumerable kinds of merchandise which are exchanged between +China, Central Asia, and Europe. The authorities had therefore no +fear with regard to admitting the peasants of the valley of the +Angara, and leaving a desert between the invaders and the +town.</p> + +<p>Irkutsk is the residence of the governor-general of Eastern +Siberia. Below him acts a civil governor, in whose hands is the +administration of the province; a head of police, who has much to +do in a town where exiles abound; and, lastly, a mayor, chief of +the merchants, and a person of some importance, from his immense +fortune and the influence which he exercises over the people.</p> + +<p>The garrison of Irkutsk was at that time composed of an +infantry regiment of Cossacks, consisting of two thousand men, +and a body of police wearing helmets and blue uniforms laced with +silver. + Besides, as has been said, in consequence of the events which +had occurred, the brother of the Czar had been shut up in the +town since the beginning of the invasion.</p> + +<p>A journey of political importance had taken the Grand Duke to +these distant provinces of Central Asia. After passing through +the principal Siberian cities, the Grand Duke, who traveled en +militaire rather than en prince, without any parade, accompanied +by his officers, and escorted by a regiment of Cossacks, arrived +in the Trans-Baikalcine provinces. + Nikolaevsk, the last Russian town situated on the shore of the +Sea of Okhotsk, had been honored by a visit from him. + Arrived on the confines of the immense Muscovite Empire, the +Grand Duke was returning towards Irkutsk, from which place he +intended to retake the road to Moscow, when, sudden as a thunder +clap, came the news of the invasion.</p> + +<p>He hastened to the capital, but only reached it just before +communication with Russia had been interrupted. There was time to +receive only a few telegrams from St. Petersburg and Moscow, and +with difficulty to answer them before the wire was cut. + Irkutsk was isolated from the rest of the world.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke had now only to prepare for resistance, and +this he did with that determination and coolness of which, under +other circumstances, he had given incontestable proofs. + The news of the taking of Ichim, Omsk, and Tomsk, successively +reached Irkutsk. It was necessary at any price to save the +capital of Siberia. Reinforcements could not be expected for some +time. The few troops scattered about in the provinces of Siberia +could not arrive in sufficiently large numbers to arrest the +progress of the Tartar columns. + Since therefore it was impossible for Irkutsk to escape attack, +the most important thing to be done was to put the town in a +state to sustain a siege of some duration.</p> + +<p>The preparations were begun on the day Tomsk fell into the +hands of the Tartars. At the same time with this last news, the +Grand Duke heard that the Emir of Bokhara and the allied Khans +were directing the invasion in person, but what he did not know +was, that the lieutenant of these barbarous chiefs was Ivan +Ogareff, a Russian officer whom he had himself reduced to the +ranks, but with whose person he was not acquainted.</p> + +<p>First of all, as we have seen, the inhabitants of the province +of Irkutsk were compelled to abandon the towns and villages. +Those who did not take refuge in the capital had to retire beyond +Lake Baikal, a district to which the invasion would probably not +extend its ravages. + The harvests of corn and fodder were collected and stored up in +the town, and Irkutsk, the last bulwark of the Muscovite power in +the Far East, was put in a condition to resist the enemy for a +lengthened period.</p> + +<p>Irkutsk, founded in 1611, is situated at the confluence of the +Irkut and the Angara, on the right bank of the latter river. + Two wooden draw-bridges, built on piles, connected the town with +its suburbs on the left bank. On this side, defence was easy. + The suburbs were abandoned, the bridges destroyed. + The Angara being here very wide, it would not be possible to +pass it under the fire of the besieged.</p> + +<p>But the river might be crossed both above and below the town, +and consequently, Irkutsk ran a risk of being attacked on its +east side, on which there was no wall to protect it.</p> + +<p>The whole population were immediately set to work on the +fortifications. + They labored day and night. The Grand Duke observed with +satisfaction the zeal exhibited by the people in the work, whom +ere long he would find equally courageous in the defense. +Soldiers, merchants, exiles, peasants, all devoted themselves to +the common safety. A week before the Tartars appeared on the +Angara, earth-works had been raised. + A fosse, flooded by the waters of the Angara, was dug between +the scarp and counterscarp. The town could not now be taken by a +coup de main. + It must be invested and besieged.</p> + +<p>The third Tartar column--the one which came up the valley of +the Yenisei on the 24th of September--appeared in sight of +Irkutsk. It immediately occupied the deserted suburbs, every +building in which had been destroyed so as not to impede the fire +of the Grand Duke's guns, unfortunately but few in number and of +small caliber. + The Tartar troops as they arrived organized a camp on the bank +of the Angara, whilst waiting the arrival of the two other +columns, commanded by the Emir and his allies.</p> + +<p>The junction of these different bodies was effected on the +25th of September, in the Angara camp, and the whole of the +invading army, except the garrisons left in the principal +conquered towns, was concentrated under the command of +Feofar-Khan.</p> + +<p>The passage of the Angara in front of Irkutsk having been +regarded by Ogareff as impracticable, a strong body of troops +crossed, several versts up the river, by means of bridges formed +with boats. + The Grand Duke did not attempt to oppose the enemy in their +passage. + He could only impede, not prevent it, having no field-artillery +at his disposal, and he therefore remained in Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>The Tartars now occupied the right bank of the river; then, +advancing towards the town, they burnt, in passing, the +summer-house of the governor-general, and at last having entirely +invested Irkutsk, took up their positions for the siege.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff, who was a clever engineer, was perfectly +competent to direct a regular siege; but he did not possess the +materials for operating rapidly. He was disappointed too in the +chief object of all his efforts--the surprise of Irkutsk. Things +had not turned out as he hoped. First, the march of the Tartar +army was delayed by the battle of Tomsk; and secondly, the +preparations for the defense were made far more rapidly than he +had supposed possible; these two things had balked his plans. + He was now under the necessity of instituting a regular siege of +the town.</p> + +<p>However, by his suggestion, the Emir twice attempted the +capture of the place, at the cost of a large sacrifice of +men. + He threw soldiers on the earth-works which presented any weak +point; but these two assaults were repulsed with the greatest +courage. + The Grand Duke and his officers did not spare themselves on this +occasion. They appeared in person; they led the civil population +to the ramparts. Citizens and peasants both did their duty.</p> + +<p>At the second attack, the Tartars managed to force one of the +gates. + A fight took place at the head of Bolchaia Street, two versts +long, on the banks of the Angara. But the Cossacks, the police, +the citizens, united in so fierce a resistance that the Tartars +were driven out.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff then thought of obtaining by stratagem what he +could not gain by force. We have said that his plan was to +penetrate into the town, make his way to the Grand Duke, gain his +confidence, and, when the time came, give up the gates to the +besiegers; and, that done, wreak his vengeance on the brother of +the Czar. The Tsigane Sangarre, who had accompanied him to the +Angara, urged him to put this plan in execution.</p> + +<p>Indeed, it was necessary to act without delay. + The Russian troops from the government of Yakutsk were advancing +towards Irkutsk. They had concentrated along the upper course of +the Lena. In six days they would arrive. + Therefore, before six days had passed, Irkutsk must be +betrayed. + Ogareff hesitated no longer.</p> + +<p>One evening, the 2d of October, a council of war was held in +the grand saloon of the palace of the governor-general. This +palace, standing at the end of Bolchaia Street, overlooked the +river. + From its windows could be seen the camp of the Tartars, and had +the invaders possessed guns of wider range, they would have +rendered the palace uninhabitable.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke, General Voranzoff, the governor of the town, +and the chief of the merchants, with several officers, had +collected to determine upon various proposals.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the Grand Duke, "you know our situation +exactly. + I have the firm hope that we shall be able to hold out until the +arrival of the Yakutsk troops. We shall then be able to drive off +these barbarian hordes, and it will not be my fault if they do +not pay dearly for this invasion of the Muscovite territory."</p> + +<p>"Your Highness knows that all the population of Irkutsk may be +relied on," + said General Voranzoff.</p> + +<p>"Yes, general," replied the Grand Duke, "and I do justice to +their patriotism. Thanks to God, they have not yet been subjected +to the horrors of epidemic and famine, and I have reason to hope +that they will escape them; but I cannot admire their courage on +the ramparts enough. + You hear my words, Sir Merchant, and I beg you to repeat such to +them."</p> + +<p>"I thank your Highness in the name of the town," answered the +merchant chief. "May I ask you what is the most distant date when +we may expect the relieving army?"</p> + +<p>"Six days at most, sir," replied the Grand Duke. "A brave and +clever messenger managed this morning to get into the town, and +he told me that fifty thousand Russians under General Kisselef, +are advancing by forced marches. Two days ago, they were on the +banks of the Lena, at Kirensk, and now, neither frost nor snow +will keep them back. + Fifty thousand good men, taking the Tartars on the flank, will +soon set us free."</p> + +<p>"I will add," said the chief of the merchants, "that we shall +be ready to execute your orders, any day that your Highness may +command a sortie."</p> + +<p>"Good, sir," replied the Grand Duke. "Wait till the heads of +the relieving columns appear on the heights, and we will speedily +crush these invaders."</p> + +<p>Then turning to General Voranzoff, "To-morrow," said he, "we +will visit the works on the right bank. Ice is drifting down the +Angara, which will not be long in freezing, and in that case the +Tartars might perhaps cross."</p> + +<p>"Will your Highness allow me to make an observation?" + said the chief of the merchants.</p> + +<p>"Do so, sir."</p> + +<p>"I have more than once seen the temperature fall to thirty and +forty degrees below zero, and the Angara has still carried down +drifting ice without entirely freezing. + This is no doubt owing to the swiftness of its current. + If therefore the Tartars have no other means of crossing the +river, I can assure your Highness that they will not enter +Irkutsk in that way."</p> + +<p>The governor-general confirmed this assertion.</p> + +<p>"It is a fortunate circumstance," responded the Grand +Duke. + "Nevertheless, we must hold ourselves ready for any +emergency."</p> + +<p>He then, turning towards the head of the police, asked, "Have +you nothing to say to me, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I have your Highness," answered the head of police, "a +petition which is addressed to you through me."</p> + +<p>"Addressed by whom?"</p> + +<p>"By the Siberian exiles, whom, as your Highness knows, are in +the town to the number of five hundred."</p> + +<p>The political exiles, distributed over the province, had been +collected in Irkutsk, from the beginning of the invasion. + They had obeyed the order to rally in the town, and leave the +villages where they exercised their different professions, some +doctors, some professors, either at the Gymnasium, or at the +Japanese School, or at the School of Navigation. The Grand Duke, +trusting like the Czar in their patriotism, had armed them, and +they had thoroughly proved their bravery.</p> + +<p>"What do the exiles ask?" said the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>"They ask the consent of your Highness," answered the head of +police, "to their forming a special corps and being placed in the +front of the first sortie."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the Grand Duke with an emotion which he did not +seek to hide, "these exiles are Russians, and it is their right +to fight for their country!"</p> + +<p>"I believe I may assure your Highness," said the +governor-general, "you will have no better soldiers."</p> + +<p>"But they must have a chief," said the Grand Duke, "who will +he be?"</p> + +<p>"They wish to recommend to your Highness," said the head of +police, "one of their number, who has distinguished himself on +several occasions."</p> + +<p>"Is he a Russian?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a Russian from the Baltic provinces."</p> + +<p>"His name?"</p> + +<p>"Is Wassili Fedor."</p> + +<p>This exile was Nadia's father. Wassili Fedor, as we have +already said, followed his profession of a medical man in +Irkutsk. He was clever and charitable, and also possessed the +greatest courage and most sincere patriotism. All the time which +he did not devote to the sick he employed in organizing the +defense. + It was he who had united his companions in exile in the common +cause. + The exiles, till then mingled with the population, had behaved +in such a way as to draw on themselves the attention of the Grand +Duke. In several sorties, they had paid with their blood their +debt to holy Russia--holy as they believe, and adored by her +children! + Wassili Fedor had behaved heroically; his name had been +mentioned several times, but he never asked either thanks or +favors, and when the exiles of Irkutsk thought of forming +themselves into a special corps, he was ignorant of their +intention of choosing him for their captain.</p> + +<p>When the head of police mentioned this name, the Grand Duke +answered that it was not unknown to him.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," remarked General Voranzoff, "Wassili Fedor is a man +of worth and courage. His influence over his companions has +always been very great."</p> + +<p>"How long has he been at Irkutsk?" asked the Duke.</p> + +<p>"For two years."</p> + +<p>"And his conduct?"</p> + +<p>"His conduct," answered the head of police, "is that of a man +obedient to the special laws which govern him."</p> + +<p>"General," said the Grand Duke, "General, be good enough to +present him to me immediately."</p> + +<p>The orders of the Grand Duke were obeyed, and before half an +hour had passed, Fedor was introduced into his presence. + He was a man over forty, tall, of a stern and sad +countenance. + One felt that his whole life was summed up in a single word-- +strife--he had striven and suffered. His features bore a marked +resemblance to those of his daughter, Nadia Fedor.</p> + +<p>This Tartar invasion had severely wounded him in his tenderest +affections, and ruined the hope of the father, exiled eight +thousand versts from his native town. A letter had apprised him +of the death of his wife, and at the same time of the departure +of his daughter, who had obtained from the government an +authorization to join him at Irkutsk. Nadia must have left Riga +on the 10th of July. The invasion had begun on the 15th of July; +if at that time Nadia had passed the frontier, what could have +become of her in the midst of the invaders? + The anxiety of the unhappy father may be supposed when, from +that time, he had no further news of his daughter.</p> + +<p>Wassili Fedor entered the presence of the Grand Duke, bowed, +and waited to be questioned.</p> + +<p>"Wassili Fedor," said the Grand Duke, "your companions in +exile have asked to be allowed to form a select corps. + They are not ignorant that in this corps they must make up their +minds to be killed to the last man?"</p> + +<p>"They are not ignorant of it," replied Fedor.</p> + +<p>"They wish to have you for their captain."</p> + +<p>"I, your Highness?"</p> + +<p>"Do you consent to be placed at their head?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it is for the good of Russia."</p> + +<p>"Captain Fedor," said the Grand Duke, "you are no longer an +exile."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, your Highness, but can I command those who are so +still?"</p> + +<p>"They are so no longer!" The brother of the Czar had granted a +pardon to all Fedor's companions in exile, now his companions in +arms!</p> + +<p>Wassili Fedor wrung, with emotion, the hand which the Grand +Duke held out to him, and retired.</p> + +<p>The latter, turned to his officers, "The Czar will not refuse +to ratify that pardon," said he, smiling; "we need heroes to +defend the capital of Siberia, and I have just made some."</p> + +<p>This pardon, so generously accorded to the exiles of Irkutsk, +was indeed an act of real justice and sound policy.</p> + +<p>It was now night. Through the windows of the palace burned the +fires of the Tartar camp, flickering beyond the Angara. Down the +river drifted numerous blocks of ice, some of which stuck on the +piles of the old bridges; others were swept along by the current +with great rapidity. It was evident, as the merchant had +observed, that it would be very difficult for the Angara to +freeze all over. + The defenders of Irkutsk had not to dread being attacked on that +side. + Ten o'clock had just struck. The Grand Duke was about to dismiss +his officers and retire to his apartments, when a tumult was +heard outside the palace.</p> + +<p>Almost immediately the door was thrown open, an aide-de-camp +appeared, and advanced rapidly towards the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," said he, "a courier from the Czar!"</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII THE CZAR'S COURIER</h2> + +<p>ALL the members of the council simultaneously started +forward. + A courier from the Czar arrived in Irkutsk! Had these officers +for a moment considered the improbability of this fact, they +would certainly not have credited what they heard.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke advanced quickly to his aide-de-camp. "This +courier!" + he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>A man entered. He appeared exhausted with fatigue. + He wore the dress of a Siberian peasant, worn into tatters, and +exhibiting several shot-holes. A Muscovite cap was on his +head. + His face was disfigured by a recently-healed scar. + The man had evidently had a long and painful journey; his shoes +being in a state which showed that he had been obliged to make +part of it on foot.</p> + +<p> + "His Highness the Grand Duke?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke went up to him. "You are a courier from the +Czar?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"You come?"</p> + +<p>"From Moscow."</p> + +<p>"You left Moscow?"</p> + +<p>"On the 15th of July."</p> + +<p>"Your name?"</p> + +<p>"Michael Strogoff."</p> + +<p>It was Ivan Ogareff. He had taken the designation of the man +whom he believed that he had rendered powerless. Neither the +Grand Duke nor anyone knew him in Irkutsk, and he had not even to +disguise his features. + As he was in a position to prove his pretended identity, no one +could have any reason for doubting him. He came, therefore, +sustained by his iron will, to hasten by treason and +assassination the great object of the invasion.</p> + +<p>After Ogareff had replied, the Grand Duke signed to all his +officers to withdraw. He and the false Michael Strogoff remained +alone in the saloon.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke looked at Ivan Ogareff for some moments with +extreme attention. Then he said, "On the 15th of July you were at +Moscow?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness; and on the night of the 14th I saw His +Majesty the Czar at the New Palace."</p> + +<p>"Have you a letter from the Czar?"</p> + +<p>"Here it is."</p> + +<p>And Ivan Ogareff handed to the Grand Duke the Imperial letter, +crumpled to almost microscopic size.</p> + +<p>"Was the letter given you in this state?"</p> + +<p>"No, your Highness, but I was obliged to tear the envelope, +the better to hide it from the Emir's soldiers."</p> + +<p>"Were you taken prisoner by the Tartars?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness, I was their prisoner for several +days," + answered Ogareff. "That is the reason that, having left Moscow +on the 15th of July, as the date of that letter shows, I only +reached Irkutsk on the 2d of October, after traveling +seventy-nine days."</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke took the letter. He unfolded it and recognized +the Czar's signature, preceded by the decisive formula, written +by his brother's hand. There was no possible doubt of the +authenticity of this letter, nor of the identity of the courier. +Though Ogareff's countenance had at first inspired the Grand Duke +with some distrust, he let nothing of it appear, and it soon +vanished.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke remained for a few minutes without +speaking. + He read the letter slowly, so as to take in its meaning +fully. + "Michael Strogoff, do you know the contents of this letter?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness. I might have been obliged to destroy it, +to prevent its falling into the hands of the Tartars, and should +such have been the case, I wished to be able to bring the +contents of it to your Highness."</p> + +<p>"You know that this letter enjoins us all to die, rather than +give up the town?"</p> + +<p>"I know it."</p> + +<p>"You know also that it informs me of the movements of the +troops which have combined to stop the invasion?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness, but the movements have failed."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that Ichim, Omsk, Tomsk, to speak only of the more +important towns of the two Siberias, have been successively +occupied by the soldiers of Feofar-Khan."</p> + +<p>"But there has been fighting? Have not our Cossacks met the +Tartars?"</p> + +<p>"Several times, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"And they were repulsed?"</p> + +<p>"They were not in sufficient force to oppose the enemy."</p> + +<p>"Where did the encounters take place?"</p> + +<p>"At Kolyvan, at Tomsk." Until now, Ogareff had only spoken the +truth, but, in the hope of troubling the defenders of Irkutsk by +exaggerating the defeats, he added, "And a third time before +Krasnoiarsk."</p> + +<p>"And what of this last engagement?" asked the Grand Duke, +through whose compressed lips the words could scarcely pass.</p> + +<p>"It was more than an engagement, your Highness," answered +Ogareff; "it was a battle."</p> + +<p>"A battle?"</p> + +<p>"Twenty thousand Russians, from the frontier provinces and the +government of Tobolsk, engaged with a hundred and fifty thousand +Tartars, and, notwithstanding their courage, were +overwhelmed."</p> + +<p>"You lie!" exclaimed the Grand Duke, endeavoring in vain to +curb his passion.</p> + +<p>"I speak the truth, your Highness," replied Ivan Ogareff +coldly. + "I was present at the battle of Krasnoiarsk, and it was there I +was made prisoner!"</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke grew calmer, and by a significant gesture he +gave Ogareff to understand that he did not doubt his +veracity. + "What day did this battle of Krasnoiarsk take place?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"On the 2d of September."</p> + +<p>"And now all the Tartar troops are concentrated here?"</p> + +<p>"All."</p> + +<p>"And you estimate them?"</p> + +<p>"At about four hundred thousand men."</p> + +<p>Another exaggeration of Ogareff's in the estimate of the +Tartar army, with the same object as before.</p> + +<p>"And I must not expect any help from the West provinces?" + asked the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>"None, your Highness, at any rate before the end of the +winter."</p> + +<p>"Well, hear this, Michael Strogoff. Though I must expect no +help either from the East or from the West, even were these +barbarians six hundred thousand strong, I will never give up +Irkutsk!"</p> + +<p>Ogareff's evil eye slightly contracted. The traitor thought to +himself that the brother of the Czar did not reckon the result of +treason.</p> + +<p>The Grand Duke, who was of a nervous temperament, had great +difficulty in keeping calm whilst hearing this disastrous +news. + He walked to and fro in the room, under the gaze of Ogareff, who +eyed him as a victim reserved for vengeance. He stopped at the +windows, he looked forth at the fires in the Tartar camp, he +listened to the noise of the ice-blocks drifting down the +Angara.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour passed without his putting any more +questions. + Then taking up the letter, he re-read a passage and said, "You +know that in this letter I am warned of a traitor, of whom I must +beware?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness."</p> + +<p>"He will try to enter Irkutsk in disguise; gain my confidence, +and betray the town to the Tartars."</p> + +<p>"I know all that, your Highness, and I know also that Ivan +Ogareff has sworn to revenge himself personally on the Czar's +brother."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"It is said that the officer in question was condemned by the +Grand Duke to a humiliating degradation."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember. But it is a proof that the villain, who +could afterwards serve against his country and head an invasion +of barbarians, deserved it."</p> + +<p>"His Majesty the Czar," said Ogareff, "was particularly +anxious that you should be warned of the criminal projects of +Ivan Ogareff against your person."</p> + +<p>"Yes; of that the letter informs me."</p> + +<p>"And His Majesty himself spoke to me of it, telling me I was +above all things to beware of the traitor."</p> + +<p>"Did you meet with him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, your Highness, after the battle of Krasnoiarsk. If he +had only guessed that I was the bearer of a letter addressed to +your Highness, in which his plans were revealed, I should not +have got off so easily."</p> + +<p>"No; you would have been lost!" replied the Grand Duke. "And +how did you manage to escape?"</p> + +<p>"By throwing myself into the Irtych."</p> + +<p>"And how did you enter Irkutsk?"</p> + +<p>"Under cover of a sortie, which was made this evening to +repulse a Tartar detachment. I mingled with the defenders of the +town, made myself known, and was immediately conducted before +your Highness."</p> + +<p>"Good, Michael Strogoff," answered the Grand Duke. "You have +shown courage and zeal in your difficult mission. I will not +forget you. + Have you any favor to ask?"</p> + +<p>"None; unless it is to be allowed to fight at the side of your +Highness," replied Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"So be it, Strogoff. I attach you from to-day to my person, +and you shall be lodged in the palace."</p> + +<p>"And if according to his intention, Ivan Ogareff should +present himself to your Highness under a false name?"</p> + +<p>"We will unmask him, thanks to you, who know him, and I will +make him die under the knout. Go!"</p> + +<p>Ogareff gave a military salute, not forgetting that he was a +captain of the couriers of the Czar, and retired.</p> + +<p>Ogareff had so far played his unworthy part with success. + The Grand Duke's entire confidence had been accorded him. + He could now betray it whenever it suited him. + He would inhabit the very palace. He would be in the secret of +all the operations for the defense of the town. + He thus held the situation in his hand, as it were. + No one in Irkutsk knew him, no one could snatch off his +mask. + He resolved therefore to set to work without delay.</p> + +<p>Indeed, time pressed. The town must be captured before the +arrival of the Russians from the North and East, and that was +only a question of a few days. The Tartars once masters of +Irkutsk, it would not be easy to take it again from them. + At any rate, even if they were obliged to abandon it later, they +would not do so before they had utterly destroyed it, and before +the head of the Grand Duke had rolled at the feet of +Feofar-Khan.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff, having every facility for seeing, observing, and +acting, occupied himself the next day with visiting the +ramparts. + He was everywhere received with cordial congratulations from +officers, soldiers, and citizens. To them this courier from the +Czar was a link which connected them with the empire.</p> + +<p>Ogareff recounted, with an assurance which never failed, +numerous fictitious events of his journey. Then, with the cunning +for which he was noted, without dwelling too much on it at first, +he spoke of the gravity of the situation, exaggerating the +success of the Tartars and the numbers of the barbarian forces, +as he had when speaking to the Grand Duke. According to him, the +expected succors would be insufficient, if ever they arrived at +all, and it was to be feared that a battle fought under the walls +of Irkutsk would be as fatal as the battles of Kolyvan, Tomsk, +and Krasnoiarsk.</p> + +<p>Ogareff was not too free in these insinuations. + He wished to allow them to sink gradually into the minds of the +defenders of Irkutsk. He pretended only to answer with reluctance +when much pressed with questions. + He always added that they must fight to the last man, and blow +up the town rather than yield!</p> + +<p>These false statements would have done more harm had it been +possible; but the garrison and the population of Irkutsk were too +patriotic to let themselves be moved. Of all the soldiers and +citizens shut up in this town, isolated at the extremity of the +Asiatic world, not one dreamed of even speaking of a +capitulation. The contempt of the Russians for these barbarians +was boundless.</p> + +<p>No one suspected the odious part played by Ivan Ogareff; no +one guessed that the pretended courier of the Czar was a +traitor. + It occurred very naturally that on his arrival in Irkutsk, a +frequent intercourse was established between Ogareff and one of +the bravest defenders of the town, Wassili Fedor. We know what +anxiety this unhappy father suffered. If his daughter, Nadia +Fedor, had left Russia on the date fixed by the last letter he +had received from Riga, what had become of her? + Was she still trying to cross the invaded provinces, or had she +long since been taken prisoner? The only alleviation to Wassili +Fedor's anxiety was when he could obtain an opportunity of +engaging in battle with the Tartars-- opportunities which came +too seldom for his taste. + The very evening the pretended courier arrived, Wassili Fedor +went to the governor-general's palace and, acquainting Ogareff +with the circumstances under which his daughter must have left +European Russia, told him all his uneasiness about her. + Ogareff did not know Nadia, although he had met her at Ichim on +the day she was there with Michael Strogoff; but then, he had not +paid more attention to her than to the two reporters, who at the +same time were in the post-house; he therefore could give Wassili +Fedor no news of his daughter.</p> + +<p>"But at what time," asked Ogareff, "must your daughter have +left the Russian territory?"</p> + +<p>"About the same time that you did," replied Fedor.</p> + +<p>"I left Moscow on the 15th of July."</p> + +<p>"Nadia must also have quitted Moscow at that time. + Her letter told me so expressly."</p> + +<p>"She was in Moscow on the 15th of July?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, certainly, by that date."</p> + +<p>"Then it was impossible for her--But no, I am mistaken-- I was +confusing dates. Unfortunately, it is too probable that your +daughter must have passed the frontier, and you can only have one +hope, that she stopped on learning the news of the Tartar +invasion!"</p> + +<p>The father's head fell! He knew Nadia, and he knew too well +that nothing would have prevented her from setting out. + Ivan Ogareff had just committed gratuitously an act of real +cruelty. + With a word he might have reassured Fedor. Although Nadia had +passed the frontier under circumstances with which we are +acquainted, Fedor, by comparing the date on which his daughter +would have been at Nijni-Novgorod, and the date of the +proclamation which forbade anyone to leave it, would no doubt +have concluded thus: that Nadia had not been exposed to the +dangers of the invasion, and that she was still, in spite of +herself, in the European territory of the Empire.</p> + +<p>Ogareff obedient to his nature, a man who was never touched by +the sufferings of others, might have said that word. + He did not say it. Fedor retired with his heart broken. + In that interview his last hope was crushed.</p> + +<p>During the two following days, the 3rd and 4th of October, the +Grand Duke often spoke to the pretended Michael Strogoff, and +made him repeat all that he had heard in the Imperial Cabinet of +the New Palace. Ogareff, prepared for all these questions, +replied without the least hesitation. He intentionally did not +conceal that the Czar's government had been utterly surprised by +the invasion, that the insurrection had been prepared in the +greatest possible secrecy, that the Tartars were already masters +of the line of the Obi when the news reached Moscow, and lastly, +that none of the necessary preparations were completed in the +Russian provinces for sending into Siberia the troops requisite +for repulsing the invaders.</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff, being entirely free in his movements, began to +study Irkutsk, the state of its fortifications, their weak +points, so as to profit subsequently by his observations, in the +event of being prevented from consummating his act of +treason. + He examined particularly the Bolchaia Gate, the one he wished to +deliver up.</p> + +<p>Twice in the evening he came upon the glacis of this gate. + He walked up and down, without fear of being discovered by the +besiegers, whose nearest posts were at least a mile from the +ramparts. + He fancied that he was recognized by no one, till he caught +sight of a shadow gliding along outside the earthworks. + Sangarre had come at the risk of her life for the purpose of +putting herself in communication with Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>For two days the besieged had enjoyed a tranquillity to which +the Tartars had not accustomed them since the commencement of the +investment. + This was by Ogareff's orders. Feofar-Khan's lieutenant wished +that all attempts to take the town by force should be +suspended. + He hoped the watchfulness of the besieged would relax. At any +rate, several thousand Tartars were kept in readiness at the +outposts, to attack the gate, deserted, as Ogareff anticipated +that it would be, by its defenders, whenever he should summon the +besiegers to the assault.</p> + +<p>This he could not now delay in doing. All must be over by the +time that the Russian troops should come in sight of Irkutsk. +Ogareff's arrangements were made, and on this evening a note fell +from the top of the earthworks into Sangarre's hands.</p> + +<p>On the next day, that is to say during the hours of darkness +from the 5th to the 6th of October, at two o'clock in the +morning, Ivan Ogareff had resolved to deliver up Irkutsk.</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV THE NIGHT OF THE FIFTH OF OCTOBER</h2> + +<p>IVAN OGAREFF'S plan had been contrived with the greatest care, +and except for some unforeseen accident he believed that it must +succeed. + It was of importance that the Bolchaia Gate should be unguarded +or only feebly held when he gave it up. The attention of the +besieged was therefore to be drawn to another part of the +town. + A diversion was agreed upon with the Emir.</p> + +<p>This diversion was to be effected both up and down the river, +on the Irkutsk bank. The attack on these two points was to be +conducted in earnest, and at the same time a feigned attempt at +crossing the Angara from the left bank was to be made. + The Bolchaia Gate, would be probably deserted, so much the more +because on this side the Tartar outposts having drawn back, would +appear to have broken up.</p> + +<p> + It was the 5th of October. In four and twenty hours, the capital +of Eastern Siberia would be in the hands of the Emir, and the +Grand Duke in the power of Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>During the day, an unusual stir was going on in the Angara +camp. + From the windows of the palace important preparations on the +opposite shore could be distinctly seen. + Numerous Tartar detachments were converging towards the camp, +and from hour to hour reinforced the Emir's troops. + These movements, intended to deceive the besieged, were +conducted in the most open manner possible before their eyes.</p> + +<p>Ogareff had warned the Grand Duke that an attack was to be +feared. + He knew, he said, that an assault was to be made, both above and +below the town, and he counselled the Duke to reinforce the two +directly threatened points. Accordingly, after a council of war +had been held in the palace, orders were issued to concentrate +the defense on the bank of the Angara and at the two ends of the +town, where the earthworks protected the river.</p> + +<p>This was exactly what Ogareff wished. He did not expect that +the Bolchaia Gate would be left entirely without defenders, but +that there would only be a small number. Besides, Ogareff meant +to give such importance to the diversion, that the Grand Duke +would be obliged to oppose it with all his available forces. + The traitor planned also to produce so frightful a catastrophe +that terror must inevitably overwhelm the hearts of the +besieged.</p> + +<p>All day the garrison and population of Irkutsk were on the +alert. + The measures to repel an attack on the points hitherto +unassailed had been taken. The Grand Duke and General Voranzoff +visited the posts, strengthened by their orders. Wassili Fedor's +corps occupied the North of the town, but with orders to throw +themselves where the danger was greatest. The right bank of the +Angara had been protected with the few guns possessed by the +defenders. With these measures, taken in time, thanks to the +advice so opportunely given by Ivan Ogareff, there was good +reason to hope that the expected attack would be repulsed. + In that case the Tartars, momentarily discouraged, would no +doubt not make another attempt against the town for several +days. + Now the troops expected by the Grand Duke might arrive at any +hour. + The safety or the loss of Irkutsk hung only by a thread.</p> + +<p>On this day, the sun which had risen at twenty minutes to six, +set at forty minutes past five, having traced its diurnal arc for +eleven hours above the horizon. The twilight would struggle with +the night for another two hours. Then it would be intensely dark, +for the sky was cloudy, and there would be no moon. + This gloom would favor the plans of Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>For a few days already a sharp frost had given warning of the +approaching rigor of the Siberian winter, and this evening it was +especially severe. The Russians posted by the bank of the Angara, +obliged to conceal their position, lighted no fires. + They suffered cruelly from the low temperature. A few feet below +them, the ice in large masses drifted down the current. + All day these masses had been seen passing rapidly between the +two banks.</p> + +<p>This had been considered by the Grand Duke and his officers as +fortunate. + Should the channel of the Angara continue to be thus obstructed, +the passage must be impracticable. The Tartars could use neither +rafts nor boats. As to their crossing the river on the ice, that +was not possible. The newly-frozen plain could not bear the +weight of an assaulting column.</p> + +<p>This circumstance, as it appeared favorable to the defenders +of Irkutsk, Ogareff might have regretted. He did not do so, +however. + The traitor knew well that the Tartars would not try to pass the +Angara, and that, on its side at least, their attempt was only a +feint.</p> + +<p>About ten in the evening, the state of the river sensibly +improved, to the great surprise of the besieged and still more to +their disadvantage. + The passage till then impracticable, became all at once +possible. + The bed of the Angara was clear. The blocks of ice, which had +for some days drifted past in large numbers, disappeared down the +current, and five or six only now occupied the space between the +banks. + The Russian officers reported this change in the river to the +Grand Duke. They suggested that it was probably caused by the +circumstance that in some narrower part of the Angara, the blocks +had accumulated so as to form a barrier.</p> + +<p>We know this was the case. The passage of the Angara was thus +open to the besiegers. There was great reason for the Russians to +be on their guard.</p> + +<p>Up to midnight nothing had occurred. On the Eastern side, +beyond the Bolchaia Gate, all was quiet. Not a glimmer was seen +in the dense forest, which appeared confounded on the horizon +with the masses of clouds hanging low down in the sky. + Lights flitting to and fro in the Angara camp, showed that a +considerable movement was taking place. From a verst above and +below the point where the scarp met the river's bank, came a dull +murmur, proving that the Tartars were on foot, expecting some +signal. + An hour passed. Nothing new.</p> + +<p>The bell of the Irkutsk cathedral was about to strike two +o'clock in the morning, and not a movement amongst the besiegers +had yet shown that they were about to commence the assault. The +Grand Duke and his officers began to suspect that they had been +mistaken. + Had it really been the Tartars' plan to surprise the town? + The preceding nights had not been nearly so quiet--musketry +rattling from the outposts, shells whistling through the air; and +this time, nothing. The officers waited, ready to give their +orders, according to circumstances.</p> + +<p>We have said that Ogareff occupied a room in the palace. + It was a large chamber on the ground floor, its windows opening +on a side terrace. By taking a few steps along this terrace, a +view of the river could be obtained.</p> + +<p>Profound darkness reigned in the room. Ogareff stood by a +window, awaiting the hour to act. The signal, of course, could +come from him, alone. This signal once given, when the greater +part of the defenders of Irkutsk would be summoned to the points +openly attacked, his plan was to leave the palace and hurry to +the Bolchaia Gate. If it was unguarded, he would open it; or at +least he would direct the overwhelming mass of its assailants +against the few defenders.</p> + +<p>He now crouched in the shadow, like a wild beast ready to +spring on its prey. A few minutes before two o'clock, the Grand +Duke desired that Michael Strogoff--which was the only name they +could give to Ivan Ogareff--should be brought to him. + An aide-de-camp came to the room, the door of which was +closed. + He called.</p> + +<p>Ogareff, motionless near the window, and invisible in the +shade did not answer. The Grand Duke was therefore informed that +the Czar's courier was not at that moment in the palace.</p> + +<p>Two o'clock struck. Now was the time to cause the diversion +agreed upon with the Tartars, waiting for the assault. + Ivan Ogareff opened the window and stationed himself at the +North angle of the side terrace.</p> + +<p>Below him flowed the roaring waters of the Angara. Ogareff +took a match from his pocket, struck it and lighted a small bunch +of tow, impregnated with priming powder, which he threw into the +river.</p> + +<p>It was by the orders of Ivan Ogareff that the torrents of +mineral oil had been thrown on the surface of the Angara! There +are numerous naphtha springs above Irkutsk, on the right bank, +between the suburb of Poshkavsk and the town. Ogareff had +resolved to employ this terrible means to carry fire into +Irkutsk. He therefore took possession of the immense reservoirs +which contained the combustible liquid. + It was only necessary to demolish a piece of wall in order to +allow it to flow out in a vast stream.</p> + +<p>This had been done that night, a few hours previously, and +this was the reason that the raft which carried the true Courier +of the Czar, Nadia, and the fugitives, floated on a current of +mineral oil. + Through the breaches in these reservoirs of enormous dimensions +rushed the naphtha in torrents, and, following the inclination of +the ground, it spread over the surface of the river, where its +density allowed it to float. This was the way Ivan Ogareff +carried on warfare! + Allied with Tartars, he acted like a Tartar, and against his own +countrymen!</p> + +<p>The tow had been thrown on the waters of the Angara. In an +instant, with electrical rapidity, as if the current had been of +alcohol, the whole river was in a blaze above and below the +town. + Columns of blue flames ran between the two banks. Volumes of +vapor curled up above. The few pieces of ice which still drifted +were seized by the burning liquid, and melted like wax on the top +of a furnace, the evaporated water escaping in shrill hisses.</p> + +<p>At the same moment, firing broke out on the North and South of +the town. + The enemy's batteries discharged their guns at random. + Several thousand Tartars rushed to the assault of the +earth-works. + The houses on the bank, built of wood, took fire in every +direction. + A bright light dissipated the darkness of the night.</p> + +<p>"At last!" said Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>He had good reason for congratulating himself. The diversion +which he had planned was terrible. The defenders of Irkutsk found +themselves between the attack of the Tartars and the fearful +effects of fire. + The bells rang, and all the able-bodied of the population ran, +some towards the points attacked, and others towards the houses +in the grasp of the flames, which it seemed too probable would +ere long envelop the whole town.</p> + +<p>The Gate of Bolchaia was nearly free. Only a very small guard +had been left there. And by the traitor's suggestion, and in +order that the event might be explained apart from him, as if by +political hate, this small guard had been chosen from the little +band of exiles.</p> + +<p>Ogareff re-entered his room, now brilliantly lighted by the +flames from the Angara; then he made ready to go out. + But scarcely had he opened the door, when a woman rushed into +the room, her clothes drenched, her hair in disorder.</p> + +<p>"Sangarre!" exclaimed Ogareff, in the first moment of +surprise, and not supposing that it could be any other woman than +the gypsy.</p> + +<p>It was not Sangarre; it was Nadia!</p> + +<p>At the moment when, floating on the ice, the girl had uttered +a cry on seeing the fire spreading along the current, Michael had +seized her in his arms, and plunged with her into the river +itself to seek a refuge in its depths from the flames. + The block which bore them was not thirty fathoms from the first +quay of Irkutsk.</p> + +<p>Swimming beneath the water, Michael managed to get a footing +with Nadia on the quay. Michael Strogoff had reached his +journey's end! + He was in Irkutsk!</p> + +<p>"To the governor's palace!" said he to Nadia.</p> + +<p>In less than ten minutes, they arrived at the entrance to the +palace. + Long tongues of flame from the Angara licked its walls, but were +powerless to set it on fire. Beyond the houses on the bank were +in a blaze.</p> + +<p>The palace being open to all, Michael and Nadia entered +without difficulty. In the confusion, no one remarked them, +although their garments were dripping. A crowd of officers coming +for orders, and of soldiers running to execute them, filled the +great hall on the ground floor. There, in a sudden eddy of the +confused multitude, Michael and the young girl were separated +from each other.</p> + +<p>Nadia ran distracted through the passages, calling her +companion, and asking to be taken to the Grand Duke. A door into +a room flooded with light opened before her. She entered, and +found herself suddenly face to face with the man whom she had met +at Ichim, whom she had seen at Tomsk; face to face with the one +whose villainous hand would an instant later betray the town!</p> + +<p>"Ivan Ogareff!" she cried.</p> + +<p>On hearing his name pronounced, the wretch started. His real +name known, all his plans would be balked. There was but one +thing to be done: to kill the person who had just uttered it. +Ogareff darted at Nadia; but the girl, a knife in her hand, +retreated against the wall, determined to defend herself.</p> + +<p>"Ivan Ogareff!" again cried Nadia, knowing well that so +detested a name would soon bring her help.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Be silent!" hissed out the traitor between his clenched +teeth.</p> + +<p>"Ivan Ogareff!" exclaimed a third time the brave young girl, +in a voice to which hate had added ten-fold strength.</p> + +<p>Mad with fury, Ogareff, drawing a dagger from his belt, again +rushed at Nadia and compelled her to retreat into a corner of the +room. + Her last hope appeared gone, when the villain, suddenly lifted +by an irresistible force, was dashed to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Michael!" cried Nadia.</p> + +<p>It was Michael Strogoff. Michael had heard Nadia's call. + Guided by her voice, he had just in time reached Ivan Ogareff's +room, and entered by the open door.</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing, Nadia," said he, placing himself between her +and Ogareff.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried the girl, "take care, brother! The traitor is +armed! + He can see!"</p> + +<p>Ogareff rose, and, thinking he had an immeasurable advantage +over the blind man leaped upon him. But with one hand, the blind +man grasped the arm of his enemy, seized his weapon, and hurled +him again to the ground.</p> + +<p>Pale with rage and shame, Ogareff remembered that he wore a +sword. + He drew it and returned a second time to the charge. + A blind man! Ogareff had only to deal with a blind man! + He was more than a match for him!</p> + +<p>Nadia, terrified at the danger which threatened her companion +ran to the door calling for help!</p> + +<p>"Close the door, Nadia!" said Michael. "Call no one, and leave +me alone! + The Czar's courier has nothing to fear to-day from this +villain! + Let him come on, if he dares! I am ready for him."</p> + +<p>In the mean time, Ogareff, gathering himself together like a +tiger about to spring, uttered not a word. The noise of his +footsteps, his very breathing, he endeavored to conceal from the +ear of the blind man. + His object was to strike before his opponent was aware of his +approach, to strike him with a deadly blow.</p> + +<p>Nadia, terrified and at the same time confident, watched this +terrible scene with involuntary admiration. Michael's calm +bearing seemed to have inspired her. Michael's sole weapon was +his Siberian knife. + He did not see his adversary armed with a sword, it is true; but +Heaven's support seemed to be afforded him. How, almost without +stirring, did he always face the point of the sword?</p> + +<p>Ivan Ogareff watched his strange adversary with visible +anxiety. + His superhuman calm had an effect upon him. In vain, appealing +to his reason, did he tell himself that in so unequal a combat +all the advantages were on his side. The immobility of the blind +man froze him. + He had settled on the place where he would strike his +victim. + He had fixed upon it! What, then, hindered him from putting an +end to his blind antagonist?</p> + +<p>At last, with a spring he drove his sword full at Michael's +breast. + An imperceptible movement of the blind man's knife turned aside +the blow. + Michael had not been touched, and coolly he awaited a second +attack.</p> + +<p>Cold drops stood on Ogareff's brow. He drew back a step, then +again leaped forward. But as had the first, this second attempt +failed. + The knife had simply parried the blow from the traitor's useless +sword.</p> + +<p>Mad with rage and terror before this living statue, he gazed +into the wide-open eyes of the blind man. + Those eyes which seemed to pierce to the bottom of his soul, and +yet which did not, could not, see--exercised a sort of dreadful +fascination over him.</p> + +<p>All at once, Ogareff uttered a cry. A sudden light flashed +across his brain. "He sees!" he exclaimed, "he sees!" + And like a wild beast trying to retreat into its den, step by +step, terrified, he drew back to the end of the room.</p> + +<p>Then the statue became animated, the blind man walked straight +up to Ivan Ogareff, and placing himself right before him, "Yes, I +see!" + said he. "I see the mark of the knout which I gave you, traitor +and coward! I see the place where I am about to strike you! + Defend your life! It is a duel I deign to offer you! + My knife against your sword!"</p> + +<p>"He sees!" said Nadia. "Gracious Heaven, is it possible!"</p> + +<p>Ogareff felt that he was lost. But mustering all his courage, +he sprang forward on his impassible adversary. The two blades +crossed, but at a touch from Michael's knife, wielded in the hand +of the Siberian hunter, the sword flew in splinters, and the +wretch, stabbed to the heart, fell lifeless on the ground.</p> + +<p>At the same moment, the door was thrown open. The Grand Duke, +accompanied by some of his officers, appeared on the +threshold. + The Grand Duke advanced. In the body lying on the ground, he +recognized the man whom he believed to be the Czar's courier.</p> + +<p>Then, in a threatening voice, "Who killed that man?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"I," replied Michael.</p> + +<p>One of the officers put a pistol to his temple, ready to +fire.</p> + +<p>"Your name?" asked the Grand Duke, before giving the order for +his brains to be blown out.</p> + +<p>"Your Highness," answered Michael, "ask me rather the name of +the man who lies at your feet!"</p> + +<p>"That man, I know him! He is a servant of my brother! + He is the Czar's courier!"</p> + +<p>"That man, your Highness, is not a courier of the Czar! He is +Ivan Ogareff!"</p> + +<p>"Ivan Ogareff!" exclaimed the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Ivan the Traitor!"</p> + +<p>"But who are you, then?"</p> + +<p>"Michael Strogoff!"</p> + +<p> </p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XV CONCLUSION</h2> + +<p>MICHAEL STROGOFF was not, had never been, blind. A purely +human phenomenon, at the same time moral and physical, had +neutralized the action of the incandescent blade which Feofar's +executioner had passed before his eyes.</p> + +<p>It may be remembered, that at the moment of the execution, +Marfa Strogoff was present, stretching out her hands towards her +son. + Michael gazed at her as a son would gaze at his mother, when it +is for the last time. The tears, which his pride in vain +endeavored to subdue, welling up from his heart, gathered under +his eyelids, and volatiliz-ing on the cornea, had saved his +sight. + The vapor formed by his tears interposing between the glowing +saber and his eyeballs, had been sufficient to annihilate the +action of the heat. A similar effect is produced, when a workman +smelter, after dipping his hand in vapor, can with impunity hold +it over a stream of melted iron.</p> + +<p> + Michael had immediately understood the danger in which he would +be placed should he make known his secret to anyone. + He at once saw, on the other hand, that he might make use of his +supposed blindness for the accomplishment of his designs. + Because it was believed that he was blind, he would be allowed +to go free. He must therefore be blind, blind to all, even to +Nadia, blind everywhere, and not a gesture at any moment must let +the truth be suspected. His resolution was taken. + He must risk his life even to afford to all he might meet the +proof of his want of sight. We know how perfectly he acted the +part he had determined on.</p> + +<p>His mother alone knew the truth, and he had whispered it to +her in Tomsk itself, when bending over her in the dark he covered +her with kisses.</p> + +<p>When Ogareff had in his cruel irony held the Imperial letter +before the eyes which he believed were destroyed, Michael had +been able to read, and had read the letter which disclosed the +odious plans of the traitor. + This was the reason of the wonderful resolution he exhibited +during the second part of his journey. This was the reason of his +unalterable longing to reach Irkutsk, so as to perform his +mission by word of mouth. + He knew that the town would be betrayed! He knew that the life +of the Grand Duke was threatened! The safety of the Czar's +brother and of Siberia was in his hands.</p> + +<p>This story was told in a few words to the Grand Duke, and +Michael repeated also--and with what emotion!--the part Nadia had +taken in these events.</p> + +<p>"Who is this girl?" asked the Grand Duke.</p> + +<p>"The daughter of the exile, Wassili Fedor," replied +Michael.</p> + +<p>"The daughter of Captain Fedor," said the Grand Duke, "has +ceased to be the daughter of an exile. There are no longer exiles +in Irkutsk."</p> + +<p>Nadia, less strong in joy than she had been in grief, fell on +her knees before the Grand Duke, who raised her with one hand, +while he extended the other to Michael.</p> + +<p>An hour after, Nadia was in her father's arms. + Michael Strogoff, Nadia, and Wassili Fedor were united. + This was the height of happiness to them all.</p> + +<p>The Tartars had been repulsed in their double attack on the +town. + Wassili Fedor, with his little band, had driven back the first +assailants who presented themselves at the Bolchaia Gate, +expecting to find it open and which, by an instinctive feeling, +often arising from sound judgment, he had determined to remain at +and defend.</p> + +<p>At the same time as the Tartars were driven back the besieged +had mastered the fire. The liquid naphtha having rapidly burnt to +the surface of the water, the flames did not go beyond the houses +on the shore, and left the other quarters of the town +uninjured. + Before daybreak the troops of Feofar-Khan had retreated into +their camp, leaving a large number of dead on and below the +ramparts.</p> + +<p>Among the dead was the gypsy Sangarre, who had vainly +endeavored to join Ivan Ogareff.</p> + +<p>For two days the besiegers attempted no fresh assault. + They were discouraged by the death of Ogareff. This man was the +mainspring of the invasion, and he alone, by his plots long since +contrived, had had sufficient influence over the khans and their +hordes to bring them to the conquest of Asiatic Russia.</p> + +<p>However, the defenders of Irkutsk kept on their guard, and the +investment still continued; but on the 7th of October, at +daybreak, cannon boomed out from the heights around Irkutsk. It +was the succoring army under the command of General Kisselef, and +it was thus that he made known his welcome arrival to the Grand +Duke.</p> + +<p>The Tartars did not wait to be attacked. Not daring to run the +risk of a battle under the walls of Irkutsk, they immediately +broke up the Angara camp. Irkutsk was at last relieved.</p> + +<p>With the first Russian soldiers, two of Michael's friends +entered the city. They were the inseparable Blount and Jolivet. +On gaining the right bank of the Angara by means of the icy +barrier, they had escaped, as had the other fugitives, before the +flames had reached their raft. + This had been noted by Alcide Jolivet in his book in this way: +"Ran a narrow chance of being finished up like a lemon in a bowl +of punch!"</p> + +<p>Their joy was great on finding Nadia and Michael safe and +sound; above all, when they learnt that their brave companion was +not blind. + Harry Blount inscribed this observation: "Red-hot iron is +insufficient in some cases to destroy the sensibility of the +optic nerve."</p> + +<p>Then the two correspondents, settled for a time in Irkutsk, +busied themselves in putting the notes and impressions of their +journey in order. Thence were sent to London and Paris two +interesting articles relative to the Tartar invasion, and +which--a rare thing-- did not contradict each other even on the +least important points.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the campaign was unfortunate to the Emir and +his allies. + This invasion, futile as all which attack the Russian Colossus +must be, was very fatal to them. They soon found themselves cut +off by the Czar's troops, who retook in succession all the +conquered towns. + Besides this, the winter was terrible, and, decimated by the +cold, only a small part of these hordes returned to the steppes +of Tartary.</p> + +<p>The Irkutsk road, by way of the Ural Mountains, was now +open. + The Grand Duke was anxious to return to Moscow, but he delayed +his journey to be present at a touching ceremony, which took +place a few days after the entry of the Russian troops.</p> + +<p>Michael Strogoff sought Nadia, and in her father's presence +said to her, "Nadia, my sister still, when you left Riga to come +to Irkutsk, did you leave it with any other regret than that for +your mother?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Nadia, "none of any sort whatever."</p> + +<p>"Then, nothing of your heart remains there?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, brother."</p> + +<p>"Then, Nadia," said Michael, "I think that God, in allowing us +to meet, and to go through so many severe trials together, must +have meant us to be united forever."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Nadia, falling into Michael's arms. Then turning +towards Wassili Fedor, "My father," said she, blushing.</p> + +<p>"Nadia," said Captain Fedor, "it will be my joy to call you +both my children!"</p> + +<p>The marriage ceremony took place in Irkutsk cathedral.</p> + +<p>Jolivet and Blount very naturally assisted at this marriage, +of which they wished to give an account to their readers.</p> + +<p>"And doesn't it make you wish to imitate them?" asked Alcide +of his friend.</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" said Blount. "Now if I had a cousin like you--"</p> + +<p>"My cousin isn't to be married!" answered Alcide, +laughing.</p> + +<p>"So much the better," returned Blount, "for they speak of +difficulties arising between London and Pekin. Have you no wish +to go and see what is going on there?"</p> + +<p>"By Jove, my dear Blount!" exclaimed Alcide Jolivet, "I was +just going to make the same proposal to you."</p> + +<p>And that was how the two inseparables set off for China.</p> + +<p>A few days after the ceremony, Michael and Nadia Strogoff, +accompanied by Wassili Fedor, took the route to Europe. The road +so full of suffering when going, was a road of joy in +returning. + They traveled swiftly, in one of those sleighs which glide like +an express train across the frozen steppes of Siberia.</p> + +<p>However, when they reached the banks of the Dinka, just before +Birskoe, they stopped for a while. Michael found the place where +he had buried poor Nicholas. A cross was erected there, and Nadia +prayed a last time on the grave of the humble and heroic friend, +whom neither of them would ever forget.</p> + +<p>At Omsk, old Marfa awaited them in the little house of the +Strogoffs. She clasped passionately in her arms the girl whom in +her heart she had already a hundred times called "daughter." + The brave old Siberian, on that day, had the right to recognize +her son and say she was proud of him.</p> + +<p>After a few days passed at Omsk, Michael and Nadia entered +Europe, and, Wassili Fedor settling down in St. Petersburg, +neither his son nor his daughter had any occasion to leave him, +except to go and see their old mother.</p> + +<p>The young courier was received by the Czar, who attached him +specially to his own person, and gave him the Cross of St. +George. In the course of time, Michael Strogoff reached a high +station in the Empire. But it is not the history of his success, +but the history of his trials, which deserves to be related.</p> + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Michael Strogoff, by Jules Verne + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MICHAEL STROGOFF *** + +This file should be named strgf10h.htm or strgf10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, strgf11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, strgf10ah.htm + +Produced by Eric Eldred from and etext prepared by Judy Boss + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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