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THE COURIER
OF THE CZAR „ f
CHAPTER III.
HE distance between Mos
cow and Irkutsk, about
to be traversed by Mi
chael Strogoff, was 5,200
versts. Before the tele-
grapliwire extended from
the Ural mountains to
the eastern frontier of Siberia the dis
patch service was performed by cou
riers, those who traveled the most rap
idly taking eighteen days to get from
Moscow to Irkutsk.
In the first place, however, he must
not travel as a courier of the czar usu
ally would. No oue must even suspect
what lie really was. Spies swarm in a
rebellious country. Lot him be recog
nized, and his mission would be in dan
ger. Also, while supplying him with a
large sum of money, which was suffi
cient for his journey and would facili
tate it in some measure, General Kis-
soff had not giveu him any document
specifying that he was in the emperor’s
service, which is the sesame par ex
cellence. lie contented himself with
furnishing him with a podorojua.
The podorojua was made out in the
name of Nicholas Korpanoff, merchant,
living at Irkutsk. It authorized Nicho
las Korpanoff to be accompanied, if
requisite, by one or more persons, and.
moreover, it was by special notification
made available in the event of the Mus
covite government forbidding natives
of any other countries to leave Russia.
The podorojua is simply a permission
to take post horses, but Michael S'tro-
goff was not to use it unless be was
sure that by so doing he would uot ex
cite suspicion as to his mission—that is
to say, while he was on European ter
ritory. The consequence was that in
Siberia, while traversing the insurgent
provinces, lie would have no power
over the relays either in the choice cf
horses in preference to others or in de
manding conveyances for his personal
use. Neither was Michael Strogoff to
forget that he was no longer a courier,
but a plain merchant, Nicholas Korpa
noff, traveling from Moscow 1o Irkutsk,
and as such exposed to all the impedi
ments of an ordinary journey.
To pass unknown more or less rapid
ly, but to pass somehow or other—such
were the .directions he had received.
Thirty years previously the escort cf
a traveler of rank consisted of not less
than 200 mounted Cossacks, 200 foot
soldiers, 25 Baskir horsemen, 300 cam
els, 400 horses, 25 wagons, 2 portable
boats and 2 pieces of cannon. Ail this
was requisite for a journey in Siberia.
Michael Strogoff, however, bad nei
ther cannon nor horsemen nor foot sol
diers nor beasts of burden. He would
travel in a carriage or on horseback
when he could, on foot when he could
not.
There would be no difficulty iu get
ting over the first 1,500 versts, the dis
tance between Moscow and the Rus
sian frontier. Railroads, post carriages,
steamboats, relays of horses, were at
every one’s disposal and consequently
at the disposal of the courier of the
czar.
Accordingly on the morning of the
IGth of July, having doffed his uniform,
with a knapsack on his back, dressed
iu the simple Russian costume, tightly
fitting tunic, the traditional belt of the
moujik, wide trousers, gartered at the
knees, and high boots, Michael Stro-
goff arrived at the station in time for
the first train. lie carried no arms,
openly at least, but under bis belt was
hidden a revolver and in bis pocket
oue cf those large knives with which a
Siberian hunter can so neatly disem
bowel a bear without injuring its pre
cious fur.
A crowd of travelers had collected at
the Moscow station. The stations on
the Russian railroads arc 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. It indeed resembles from the va
riety of characters assembled a small
news exchange.
The train in which Michael took ids
place was to set him down at Nijni
Novgorod. There terminated at that
time the iron road which, uniting Mos
cow and St. Petersburg, will eventually
continue to the Russian frontier. It was
a journey of about 400 versts, and the
train would accomplish it in ten hours.
Once arrived at Nijni Novgorod, Stro
goff would, according to circumstances,
either take the laud route or the steam
er on the Volga, so as to reach the Ural
mountains as soon as possible.
Michael Strogoff ensconsed 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 aud listened with both his ears.
In fact, the rumor of the rising of the
Kirghiz hordes and of the Tartar inva
sion had transpired in some degree.
The occupants of the carriage, whom
chance had made his traveling compan
ions. discussed the subject, though with
that caution which has become habit
ual among Russians, who know that
spies are ever on the watch for any
treasonable expressions which may be
uttered.
At the Wladimir station fresh trav
elers entered the train. Among others,
a young girl presented herself at the
door of the carriage occupied by Mi
chael Strogoff.
A vacant place was found opposite
the courier of the czar. The young girl
took it after placing by her side a mod
est traveling bag of red leather which
seemed to constitute her luggage. Then,
seating herself, with downcast eyes, she
prepared for a journey which was still
to last several hours.
Michael Strogoff could not help look
ing attentively at his newly arrived fel
low traveler. As she was so placed as
to travel with her back to the engine,
he even offered her his seat, which she
might prefer to her own, but she thank
ed him with a slight bend of her grace
ful neck.
The young girl appeared to be about
sixteen or seventeen years of age. Her
head, truly charming, was of the purest
Slavonic type — slightly severe, and
which would when a few summers had
passed over her unfold into beauty
rather than mere prettiness. From be
neath a sort of kerchief which she wore
on her head escaped in profusion light
golden hair. Her eyes wore brown,
soft aud expressive of much sweetness
©f temper. The nose was straight and
attached to her pale and somewhat thin
cheeks by delicate mobile nostrils. The
lips were finely cut, but it seemed as if
they bad long since forgotten bow tu
smile.
The young traveler was tall and up
right, as well as could be judged cf he:
figure from the very simple and ample
pelisse that covered her. Although she
was still a very youug girl in the licera!
sense of the term, the development of
her high forehead aud clearly cut fea
tures gave the idea that she was the
possessor of a 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 it was
none the less certain that she had
known how to struggle and that slie
had resolved to struggle still with the
trials of life. Her energy was evident
ly prompt and persistent and her calm
ness unalterable even under circum
stances in which a man would be likely
to give way or lose his self command.
Such was the Impression which she
produced at first sight. Michael Stro
goff, being himself of an energetic tem
perament, was naturally struck by tlie
character of her physiognomy, and,
while taking care not to cause her an
noyance by a too persistent gaze, he
observed his neighbor with no small in
terest. The costume of the young trav
eler was both extremely simple and
appropriate. She was not rich—that
could easily be seen—but not the slight
est mark of uegligenee was to be dis
cerned in her dress. All her luggage
was contained in a leather bag under
lock and key, and which, for want of
room, she held on her lap. ,
She wore a long, dark pelisse, which
was gracefully adjusted at the neck by
a blue tie. Under this pelisse a short
skirt, also dark, fell over a robe which
reached to her ankles aud of which the
lower edge was ornamented with some
simple embroidery. Half-boots of work
ed leather aud thickly soled, as if cho
sen in the anticipation cf a lon'g jour
ney, covered her small feet.
Michael Strogoff fancied that he rec
ognized by certain details the fashion
of the costume of Livonia, and he
thought that his neighbor must be a
native of the Baltic provinces.
But whittle? was this young girl go
ing alone at an age when me iosicriug
care-of a father or the protection of a
brother is considered a matter of ne
cessity? Had she now come after an
already long journey from the prov
inces of western Russia? Was she
merely going to Nijni Novgorod, or was
the end of her travels beyond the east
ern frontier 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 com
partment, where no one, she must
think, appeared to care for her? It
was probable.
Michael Strogoff observed her with
interest, but, himself reserved, be
sought no opportunity of accosting her.
although several hours must elapse be
fore the arrival of the train at Nijni
Novgorod.
At last the train, ai half past S in the
evening, arrived at the station of Nijni
Novgorod.
Before any one could get out of the
carriages the inspectors of police pre
sented themselves at the doors and ex
amined the passengers.
Michael Strogoff showed his podo
rojua made out iu the name of Nicholas
Korpanoff. He had consequently no
difficulty.
As to the other travelers in the com
partment, all bound for Nijni Novgo
rod, their appearance, happily for them,
was in nowise suspicious.
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 at
tention. Then, having attentively ex
amined the person whose description it
contained, he said:
“You are from Riga?”
“Yes,” replied the young girl.
“You are going to Irkutsk?”
“Yes.”
“By what route?”
“By Perm.”
“Good!” replied the inspector. “Take
care to have your permit vised at the
police station of Nijni Novgorod.” The
young girl bent her head in token of
assent.
Hearing the questions and replies,
Michael Strogoff experienced a min
gled sentiment both of surprise and
pity. What, this young girl alone jour
neying to that faroff Siberia and at a
time when to its ordinary dangers were
added all the perils of an invaded coun
try and one in a state of insurrection?
How would she l’each it? What would
become of her?
The inspection ended, the doors of
the carriages were opened, but before
Michael Strogoff could move toward
her the youug Livonian, who had been i
the first to descend, had disappeared in
the crowd which thronged the plat
forms of the railway station.
Nijni Novgorod, Lower Novgorod, sit
uated at the junction of the Volga and
the Oka. is the chief town in the dis
trict of the same name. It was here
that Michael Strogoff was obliged to
leave the railway, which at the time
did not go beyond this town. Thus as
he advanced his traveling would be
come first less speedy and then less
safe.
Nijni Novgorod, the fixed population
Of which is only from 30,000 to 35,000
inhabitants, contained at that tima
more than 300,000—that is to say, the
population was increased tenfold. This
addition was in consequence of the cel
ebrated fair which was held within
the walls for three, weeks. Formerly
Makarlc-w had the benefit cf this con
course cf traders, but since 1S17 tlie
fair had been removed to Nijni Novgo
rod.
The town, dreary enough at most
times, then presented a truly animated
scene. Six different races of merchants,
European and Asiatic, were fraterniz
ing under the congenial influence of
trade.
Michael Strogoff strolled through the
town quietly, looking out for some inn.
He was locking for supper rather than
a bed, but he found both at the sign
of the City of Constantinople.
Ilis supper finished, -Michael Strogoff
instead of going up to his bedroom
again strolled out into the town.
Why did not Michael Strogoff go
quietly to bed, as would have seemed
more seasonable after a long railway
journey? Was he thinking of the
young Livonian girl who had for so
many hours been his traveling compan
ion? Having nothing better to do. he
was thinking of her.
“Alone,” he said to himself; “alone in
the midst of these wandering tribes’
And yet the present dangers .ire noth
ing to those she must undergo. Sibe
ria! 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! And the country beyond is
in revolt! The steppes beyond are full
of Tartar bands!”
Michael Strogoff stopped for an in
stant and reflected.
“Without doubt,” thought he, “she
must have determined on undertaking
her journey before the invasion. Per
haps she is even now ignorant of what
is happening. But, no; that cannot be,
for the merchants discussed before her
the disturbances in Siberia, and she
did not seem even surprised. She did
not even ask for an explanation. She
must have known it then, and, though
knowing it, she 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 pass
Irkutsk!”
Indulging in such reflections, Michael
Strogoff wandered cn as chance led
him; but, being well acquainted with
the town, he knew that he could with
out difficulty retrace his steps.
Having strolled on for about an hour,
he seated himself on a bench against
! the wall of a large wooden cottage
which stood, with others, on a vast
open space.
He had scarcely been there five min
utes when a hand was laid heavily on
his shoulder.
“What are you doing here?” roughly
demanded a large and powerful man
who had approached unpereeived.
“I am resting,” replied Michael Stro
goff.
“Do you mean to stay all uight on the
bench?” asked the man.
“Yes, if I feel inclined to do so,” an
swered Michael Strogoff in a tone some :
what too sharp for the simple merchant
he wished to personate.
“Come forward, then, that I may see
you. ' sum me man.
“It is uot necessary.” he replied, ami
he calmly stepped back ten paces or so.
The ruau si, mi d. aa Michael observ
ed him well, to have the look of a Bo
hemian, such aa are met at fairs aud
with whom contact, either physical or
moral, is unpleasant. Then, as he look
ed more attentively through the dusk
which was coming on, he perceived
near the cottage a large caravan, the
usual traveling dwelling cf the gypsies
who swarm in Russia wherever a few
copecks can be obtained.
As the gypsy tock two or three steps
forward aud was about to interrogate
Michael Strogoff more closely the door
of the cottage was opened. He could
just see a woman, who advanced quick
ly and in a lauguage which Michael
Strogoff knew to be a mixture of the
Mongol and Siberian she said: “Anoth
er spy! Let him alone and come to
supper. It is waiting for you.”
Michael Strogoff could not help smil
ing at the epithet bestowed on him,
dreading spies as he did above all
things.
But in the same dialect, although his
accent was very-different, the Bohe
mian replied in words which signify:
“You are right, Sangarre. Besides,
we start tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!” repeated the woman iu
surprise.
“Yes, Sangarre,” replied the Bohe
mian. “tomorrow, and the Father him
self sends us—where we are going.”
Thereupon the man and woman en
tered the cottage and carefully closed
the door.
“Good!” said Michael Strogoff to him-
j self. “If these gypsies do not wish to
j be understood when they speak before-
l me. they had better use some other lan-
! guage.”.
i From his Siberian origin aud because
j he Lad passed his childhood iu the
. steppes Michael Strogoff, it has been
’said, understood almost all the lan-
| guages in usage from Tartary to the
i Sea of Ice. As to the exact siguifica-
, tiou of the words exchanged between
the gypsy and his companion he did
not trouble his head. For why should
it interest him?
An hour after Michael Strogoff was
sleeping soundly on one of those Rus
sian beds which always seem so hard
to strangers, and on the morrow, the
17th of July, he awoke at break of day.
He had still five hours to pass at
Nijni Novgorod. It seemed to him an
j age. How was he to spend the morn
ing unless in wandering, as he had
done the evening before, through the
streets? By the time he had finished
his breakfast, strapped up bis bag, had
his poJorojna inspected at the police
office, he would have nothing to do but
start. But he was not a man to lie in tied
after the sun had risen, so he rose, dress
ed himself and 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 fasten
ed his belt. He then closed bis bag and
threw it over his shoulder.
This done, he had no wish to return
to the City of Constantinople, and, in
tending to breakfast on the bank of tbe
Volga near the wharf, he settled his
bill and left tbe inn. By the way cf
precaution Michael Strogoff went first
to the office of the steam packet com
pany and there made sure that the
Caucasus would stifrt at the appointed
hour. As he did so the thought for tha
first time struck him that since the
young Livonian girl was going to Perm
it was very possible that her intent, a
was also to embark in the Caucasus, in
which case lie should at company Is r.
Michael Strogoff found himself in the
central square when the report spread
that the head cf police had been sum
moned by a courier to tbe palace of the
governor general. An important dis
patch from Moscow, it was said, was
the cause of it.
“The fair is to be closed,” said one.
“The regiment cf Nijni Novgoro 1 has
received the route,” declared another.
“They say that the Tartars menace
Tomsk!"
“Here is the head cf police;" was
shouted cn every side. A loud clap; iug
of hands was suddenly raised, 'Foil
subsided by, ueisrcea .and-tinallv was
succeeded by absolute silence. "> ho
head of police arrived in the rniud: of
the central square, and it was seen by
all that he held in his hand a dispanh.
* Then in a loud voice he read the fol
lowing announcements:
“By order of the governor cf Nijni
Novgorod:
“All Russian subjects are forbidden
to quit the province upon any pretext
whatsoever.
“All strangers of Asiatic origin are
commanded to leave the province with
in twenty-four hours.”
|TO BE• CONTINUED,J
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