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THE COURIER OF THE CZAR m By Juies Verne CHAPTER MIX. HE plans of Ivan Ogareff had boon laid with tin 1 greatest care, and, unless some unlikely circum stance should occur, they must succeed. It was necessary that the Bol e-ha ia gate should be without defend ers at the moment when ho should de liver it up to the Tartars. Thus at that moment it would be indispensable thar the attention of the besieged should be drawn to another point of the city hence a diversion agreed upon with the emir. That diversion had to take place along tlie suburbs of Irkutsk, up and down the right bank cf the river. The attack on those two points would be made very earnestly and at the same time a feigned attempt to cross the An gara on its left bank. The Bolchai:. gate would then be probably abandoned, especially as on that side l lie advance posts, which were said to be at some distance off. would seem to have been collected together. The liftli day of October bad conic Before twenty-four hours the capital o! eastern Siberia ought to be in tlie hands of the emir and the grand duke in tin- power of Ivan Ogareff. During ail that day an unusual movement was taking place in the camp of the Angara. From the windows of the palace and from the houses of the right bank one could se; distinctly that important preparations were being made on the opposite heights. Numerous Tartar detachments wen’ seen moving toward the camp and thus hourly re-enforcing the troops of the emir. This was the preparation fo: the diversion winch had been agrees ■upon, and it was being made in the most ostentatious manner. Moreover. Ivan Ogareff did not conceal from the grand duke that some attack was to be feared on that side. He knew, he saic. that an assault would he made at the two extremities of the town along the river, and he counseled the grand duke to re-enforce those two points more di rectly menaced. The preparations that had been no ticed, coming to the support of Ivan OgareiFs recommendations, it was nec essary to take some account of them. Thus after a council of war which was held at the palace orders were given to concentrate the defense on tlie right bank of the Angara and at the two ex tremities of the town, where the forti fied terraces rested on the river. This was precisely what Ivan Oga reff wished. He evidently did not reck on that the Bolehaia gate would re main without defenders, but they would be there only in a small number. Be sides, Ivan Ogareff was about to give to the diversion such importance that the grand duke would be obliged to op pose it with all his disposable forces. And indeed an incident of an excep tionable gravity, devised by Ivan Oga reff, was to powerfully aid in the ac complishment of bis projects. For even if Irkutsk had not been attacked at points distant from the Bolehaia gale and along the right bank of the river that incident would have sufficed to draw the chief body of the defenders to the place where Ivan Ogareff wish ed precisely to bring them. It would cause at the same time a most terrible catastrophe. All the chances were then that the gate, being free at the hour fixe:!. won id he given up to the thousands of Tar tars who were waiting under the thick cover of the forest on the east. During that day the garrison and population of Irkutsk were constantly on the alert. All the measures which were required to repel an attack on points never be fore threatened were taken. The grand duke and General Yoran- zoff visited the various posts which had been strengthened by their orders. The picked corps of Wassili Feodor occu pied the north of the town, but with the injunction to march at once to where the danger should be most press ing. The right bank of the Angara was protected by the only artillery ai their disposal. is very much like the blossom ing of a flower. Its beauty and perfection depends entirely upon the care bestowed upon its parent. Expectant mothers should have the tendercst care. They should be spared all worry and anxiety. They should eat plenty of good nourishing food . and take gentle exercises. This i will go a long way toward preserv ing their health and their beauty as well as that of the little one to come. But to be absolutely sure of a short and painless labor they should use Fs^i&isd | regularly during- the months Thir - -•— of gesta tion. This is a simple liniment, which is to he applied externally. It gives strength and vigor to the muscles and prevents all cf the discomforts of preg nancy, which women used to think were absolutely necessary. When Mother's Friend is used there is no danger whatever. Get Mother’s Friend at the drug store, SI per bottle. THE BHADFIELD REGULATOR CO. ATLANTA, GA. Write for our free book, u Before Baby la Born.” With these measures taken in time, shanks to the opportune recommenda tions of Ivan Ogareff. there was every reason to hope that the prepared attack would not succeed, in that case the Tartars, discouraged for the time, with out doubt would defer for a few days any new attack against the town. Be sides, the troops expected by the grand duke might arrive any hour. The safe ty or the loss of Irkutsk hung on a thread. On that day the sun. which had risen at twenty minutes past 0. iiad set at Twilight would still have to strug gle with night for two hours. Then space would be tilled with thick dark ness, for heavy clouds hung stili in the air. and the moon would not appear. This profound obscurity would favor more completely tlie plans of Ivan Oga reff. Already, for some days, an extremely keen frost had come as a prelude to the rigors of the Siberian winter, and on that night the cold was still more piercing. The soldiers posted on the right bank of tlie Angara, being forced to bide their presence, had not kindled any tires. They therefore suffered dreadfully front great lowering of the temperature. At some feet below them the iee blocks floated past, following the current of the river. During ail that day they had seen them in close ranks floating rapidly between tlie two banks. That circum stance. observed by the grand duke and his officers, had been considered as for tunate. It was evident that if the bed of tlie river became obstructed the pa*, sage of it would become altogether im practicable. Tlie Tartars would not be able to manage cither rafts or boats. As for attempting to cross the river over the blocks of ice when the cold should have joined them, that was not possible. The field, newly cemented, would not have been strong enough for the passage over it of an attacking column. But Ivan Ogareff did not regret that circumstance, although it appeared fa vorable to tlie defenders of Irkutsk, for tlie traitor knew well that tlie Tartars were not seeking to cross the Angara and that at least on that side the at tempt would only be a feint. Never theless toward 10 o’clock at night the state of the river visibly changed, to the extreme surprise of tlie besieged and now to their disadvantage. The passage, up to that time impracticable, suddenly became possible. The bed of the Angara soon became free. The floating ice, which for some days iiad come down the river in great quanti ties, disappeared, and very little could be seen between the two banks. The Russian officers, who iiad no ticed this change in the state of the river, made it known to the grand duke. Besides, it was explained in this way that at some narrow portion of the Angara tlie floating ice iiad accumu lated and found a barrier. We know that such was the ease. The passage of the Angara was therefore open to the besiegers; hence the necessity for the Russians to watch with greater at tention than ever. In tlie camp of the Angara there was plenty of agitation, as was proved by the lights constantly flitting about. At a verst up above, as also down below tlie point where tlie fortification slopes down to the river, there was a dull murmur, which proved that the Tar tars were on foot, waiting for some signal. Again nD hour passed by. Nothing new. Two o’clock in the morning was about to strike from the clock tower of the cathedral of Irkutsk and no movement had taken place to disclose the hostile intentions of tlie besiegers. Tlie grand duke and his officers began to ask themselves if they had uot been led into error, if it had really entered into the plan of the Tartars to attempt to surprise the town. The preceding nights had not by any means been so calm. Firing bad been kept up from the advanced posts, and shells had hissed through the air, and this time there was nothing of the kind. The grand duke. General Vorauzoff. their aids-de-camp, waited therefore, ready to give their orders according tc the circumstances. It has been stated that Ivan Ogareff occupied a room in the palace. It was a pretty large room, situated on the ground floor, and its windows opened out upon a side terrace. One need only step a few paces on this terrace to overlook the course of the Angara. A profound darkness reigned in that room. Ivan Ogareff. standing near a window, was waiting for tlie hour of action to arrive. Evidently the signal could only come from him. Once this signal was given, when most of the de fenders of Irkutsk should have been called to the points openly attacked, his plan was to leave the palace and to go and accomplish his work. He waited then in the dark, like a tiger ready to spring upon its prey. Meanwhile, some minutes before 2 o'clock, the grand duke asked that Mi chael Strogoff— it was the only name he could give to Ivan Ogareff—should be brought to him. An aid-de-eamp came to bis room, the door of which was closed. He called him. Ivan Oga reff. motionless near the window and invisible in the darkness, took good care not to answer. The grand duke was then informed that tlie courier of the czar was not at that moment in the palace. Two o'clock struck. It was the mo ment that action had been agreed on with the Tartars, who were ready for the assault. Ivan Ogareff opened tlie window cf liis room and placed himself at the north angle of the side terrace. Below 7 him in the shade flowed tlie wa ters of the Angara, which roared as they broke against the piles of the but tresses. Ivan Ogareff drew a flint from his pocket and lit with it a piece of cotton wool impregnated with priming pow der, which he threw into the river. It I was by the order of Ivan Ogareir mat torrents of mineral oil had been cast on tlie surface of the Angara. Springs of naphtha had been discovered above Irkutsk on the right bank, between the village of Poshkavsk and the town. Ivan Ogareff bad resolved to employ this terrible means for setting tire to Irkutsk. He therefore made use of the immense reservoir which contained the combustible liquid. He bad only to make a few canals to draw in streams into the river. These be bad made that very night, some hours before. The cotton wool bad been east on the wa ters of the Angara. In an instant, as if the current bad been made of alcohol, all tlie river became a mass of flames, up and down the stream.' with the ra pidity of electricity. Volumes of blue flames covered the whole surface of the river and shot far up into the sky. The few blocks of ice that came float ing down the river, being seized by the burning liquid, melted like wax on the surface of a furnace, and the water, sent off as vapor, rose hissing to the clouds. At that very moment the *fir- ing began at tlie north and at the south of the town. The batteries of the camp of the Angara threw an uninterrupted volley of shot and shell. Many thou sand Tartars rushed to the assault of the ramparts. The houses along the high banks, constructed of wood, took Are in every direction. An immense light dissipated the shades of night. ‘At last!” said Ivan Ogareff. And he had good reason to applaud. The di version which he had planned was ter rible. Tlie defenders saw themselves placed between the attack of the Tar tars and the disasters of an immense conflagration. The bells sounded, and every ablebodied man of tlie population hastened to the points attacked and to tlie houses which were being devoured by the fire, which was threatening to communicate itself to the whole city. The Bolehaia gate was almost free. It was with difficulty that any defenders had been left there. Ivan Ogareff re-entered his room, then brilliantly lit up by tlie flames from the Angara that overtopped the balustrades of the ramparts. Then hi prepared to leave it. But scarcely had he opened the door when a woman rushed into the room, with her gar ments dripping wet, her hair in disor der. “Sangarre!” cried Ivan Ogareff in tin first moment of surprise and not imag iniug that it could be any other woman than the gypsy. It was not Sangarre; it was Nadia. At the moment when, seeking refuge on the block of ice, the young girl Iiad uttered that cry when she saw the fin spread over tlie current of the Angara Michael Strogoff had' seized her in his arms, and he had dived with her to seek even in the depths of the river a shelter from the flames. After having swum under tlie waters Michael Stro goff had fortunately put his foot ground at tlie quay, anil lie had Nadia still safe with him. Michael Strogoff was touching at last his goal. He was at Irkutsk. “To the palace of the governor!” said he to Na dia. In less than ten minutes after ward both arrived at the entrance tc that palace, the massive stone walls of which were being licked by the long flames from tae Angara, without, liow ever, their being able to set the strr.c ture on fire. Beyond, the houses on the bank were all in flames. Michael Strogoff and Nadia entered without difficulty into that palace, which was open for all. In the midst of the general confusion no one noticed them, although their clothes were drip p,ng wet. A crowd of officers came foi orders, and soldiers running to execute them blocked up the grand salon on the ground floor. There Michael Strogoff and the young girl, in the midst of so great a crowd, found themselves separated from each other. Nadia, distracted, ran along the lower rooms, called her campaniou and asked to be led before the grand duke. A door leading into a room that was inundated with light opened itself be fore her. She entered, and she found herself unexpectedly face to face with him whom she had seen at Ichim. whom she had seen at Tomsk, in the presence of that man whose cursed hand an instant later would have deliv ered up tlie city. “Ivan Ogareff!” cried she. On hearing his name pronounced the miserable wretcli trembled. His true name being once known, all his plans would be ruined. He bad only one thing to do—to kill the being, whoever it might be, who had just pronounced it. Ivan Ogareff threw himself on Na dia, but the young girl, with a knife in her hand, placed her back to the wall, resolved to defend herself. “Ivan Ogareff!” cried again Nadia, knowing well that detested name would bring succor to her. “Ah, you shall be silent!” said the traitor. “Ivan Ogareff!” cried a third time the intrepid young girl in a voice whose hate had increased tenfold the force. Drunk with fury, Ivan Ogareff drew a dagger from his belt, rushed upon Nadia and forced her back into a cor ner of the room. It was all over with her when the wretch, suddenly knock ed down by a tremendous blow, rolled to the ground. “Michael!” cried Nadia. It was Michael Strogoff. Michael Strogoff iiad heard the appeal of Nadia Guided by her voice, lie had arrived at the room of Ivan Ogareff, and he had entered by the door which had been left open. “Fear nothing, Nadia,” be said as he placed himself between her and Ivan Ogareff. “Ah,” screamed the young girl, “take care, brother! Tlie traitor is armed! He can see well!” Ivan Ogareff had risen, and, believ ing that he had the advantage over a blind man, lie threw himself upon Mi chael Strogoff. But with one hand Mi chael seized the arm of him who could see well and with the other, turning aside his weapon, he threw him a sec ond time to the ground. Ivan Ogareff. pale with fury and shame, remembered that he was carry ing a sword. He drew it from the scabbard and returned to the combat. He iiad also recognized Michael Stro goff. A blind man! He had only, in short, to deal with a blind man. Nadia, terrified at tlie danger which threatened her companion in such an unequal struggle, rau to the door, call ing help. “Shut that door, Nadia.” said Michael Strogoff. “Do not call any one, and let me do it. The courier of the czar has nothing to fear today from this wreten. Let him come at me If he dare. I am waiting for him.” Meanwhile Ivan Ogareff. gathering himself together, as it were, like a ti ger did uot utter a word. The noise of his step, ids very breathing, he would have wished to keep hack from Peculiar Practices In Yoprise In Celestial ICinertlcm. It is one of the peculiarities of tbo Chinese that, while they have develop ed elaborate philosophies, none of them _ ,, has led to any confidence in the uni- the ear of the blind man. He wished fortuity of B&ture. Neither the people to strike him before even he Had any nor their ru!ers have any fixed opinion warning of his approach, to strike him with a certain blow. The traitor did not dream of fighting, but of assas sinating him whose name he Iiad sto len. Nadia, frightened, yet at the same time confident, contemplated with a sort of admiration that terrible scene. It seemed that the old coolness had come back to him. Michael Strogoff had as bis only weapon bis Siberian knife, and be could not see bis adversary, who was even armed with a sword. But by what favor from heaven was lie able to over power him? Ivan Ogareff glanced at bis adversary with a visible anxiety. That superhu man calmness worked upon him. In vain, appealing to his reason, lie kept saying that in the inequality cf such a combat all tin; advantage was in bis favor. That immovableness of the blind man completely froze him. He had sought with his eyes the place where he hiust strike his victim. lie had found it. Who. then, was prevent ing him from giving the finishing blow"; At length lie made a blow 7 and thrust his sword full at the breast of Michael Strogoff. An imperceptible movement of the knife of the blind man turned the blow Michael Strogoff iiad uot been touched and coolly seemed to wait another at tack without, however, challenging it. A cold sweat ran from the face of Ivan Ogareff. He recoiled a pace, then made another thrust. But the second blow, like the first, fell harmless. A simple parrying with the large ktiif> had sufficed to turn aside tlie sword of tlie traitor. The latter, mad with rage and terror before that living statue, fixed his terrified look on the large open eyes of tlie blind man. Those eyes that seemed to read tlie very hot tom of his heart and which coukl not see—those eyes seemed to have for him an awful fascination. Suddenly Ivan Ogareff gave a cry. An unexpected light had entered Ids brain. “He can see!” cried he. “He can see!” And, like a deer trying to re-enter its cave, step by step, terrified, be retreat ed to the lower end of tlie room. Then the statue took life. The blind man walked straight to Ivan Ogareff, and. placing himself in front of him, said: “Yes, I see—I see the blow of tbe knout with which I have marked you. traitor anil coward! I see tlie place where I am going to strike you. Defend your life! It is a dud which 1 condescend to offer you. My knife will suffice me against your sword!” “He sees!” said Nadia. “God of mer cy. is it possible?” Ivan Ogareff felt himself to be lost. But suddenly, taking courage, sword in front, he rushed upon his impassible adversary. Tbe two blades crossed, but at tbe first clash of tlie knife of Michael Strogoff. grasped firmly in the hand of the Siberian hunter, the sword flew in pieces, and the wretch, pierced to the heart, fell dead to the ground. At that moment the door of the room, pushed from the outside, opened. The grand duke, accompanied by some ofli cers, showed himself on tlie threshold The grand duke advanced. He recog nized on the ground the dead body of him whom lie thought to be tlie courier of tbe czar, and then in a threatening voice he asked: “Who has slain this man?” “I,” replied Michael Strogoff. One of tlie officers placed a revolver to his head, ready to fire. Your name?” asked the grand duke before giving tlie order to shoot him dead. “Y'our highness,” answered Michael Strogoff, “ask me rattier tbe name of the man stretched at your feet.” “That man I have recognized. He is a servant of my brother. He is the czar’s courier.” “That man, your highness, is not n courier from the czar. lie is Ivan Oga reff.” “Ivan Ogareff!” cried the grand duke. “Yes: Ivan the traitor.” “But you—who are you?” “Michael Strogoff.” [TO BE CONTINUED.] as to the causes of rainfall. The plan in some provinces when the need of rain is felt is to borrow a god from a neighboring district and petition him for the desired rain. If Ids answer is satisfactory, he is returned to his home with every mark of boner; otherwisei he may be put out in tiic sun as a bint to wake up and do bis duty. A bunch of willow is usually thrust into his hand, as willow, is sensitive to mois ture. Another plan in extensive use is the building of special temples in wide!; are wells containing several iron tab lets. When there is a scarcity of rain, a messenger starts out with a tablet marked with the date of tlie journey and the name of the district making the petition. Arriving at another city, he pays a sum cf money aiuJ is allow ed to draw a new tablet from tbe well, throwing in his own by way of ex change. On the return journey lie is supposed to eat only bran and travel at top speed day and night. Some times he passes through districts a:; greatly in need of rain as his own. Then the people in these places way lay him and, temporarily borrowing his tablet, get tbe rain intended for anoth er place. Prayers are usually made in the fifth and sixth months when the rainfall la always due, and a limit cf ten. days is set for their effective operation. Un der such conditions rain usually falls during the prescribed time. When the prayers are in progress, the umbrella, among other objects, comes under tbe ban. In some provinces foreigners have been mobbed for carrying this harmless article at that time. DEATH BY ARSENiC. The Way This Poison Acts Upon the Hnsrinn System. When a single dose of arsenic in suf ficient quantity to be felt has been tak en, colicky pains, bowel disorder and perhaps nausea result. In the course of an hour after a poisonous dose has been taken an intense burning pain is feit in the esophagus and stomach. This spreads to the entire anterior por tion of the lower part of the trunk. A sense of constriction at the throat and an acrid, metallic taste accompany the pain. Then vomiting and relaxation of the bowels begin. As the case pro gresses the symptoms increase in i:i tensity. Then comes a thirst that wa ter will not allay, although it appar ently increases the stomach disturb ance. Tbe victim groans and writhes. Now he implores the doctor to save him. Then be begs to be killed and put out of pain. The extremities become icy. The pulse is small, feeble and fre quent. and the breathing is labored, embarrassed and painful because of abdominal tenderness. The surface of the body becomes dark and of that bluish color that medical men call ey- ahosed. Violent cramps add their tor ture, c-xhaastion becomes collapse, con vulsions or coma ensues, and death ends the agony. This torture lasts sometimes from five to twenty hours. In some cases these symptoms occur, but in a modified form, and the doctor will apparently get the better of tbe disease. The remission will be but for a day or two. Then the abdomen will swell, and icy coldness will pervade the frame. Shivering will become pro nounced trembling, then cramps, con vulsions and death. Ulcers or R.^U!I^oBI^lg , Sores need not become a fixture upon your body. If they do it is your fault, for MEXICAN MUSTANG LINIMENT will thoroughly, quickly and perma nently cure these afflictions. There is no guess work about it; if this lin iment is used a cure will follow. YOU DON'T KNOW a Dum °r so a l<i canDocui-eii Mustang Liniment. until you have treated it with Mexican As a flesh healer it stands very top. Lack of Funds Closes Schools. Chicago, Jan. 14.—For the first time in more than 30 years Chicago’s night schools are closed temporarily at least. It is also a serious question if the day schools can be kept open during the regular ten months. This condi tion is the result of low condition of the city’s finances. The average at tendance at the night schools has been 4,471 and it was estimated that the attendance this year would have been 4,500 and that 200 teachers would have been employed in the 20 schools plan ned to .be opened. The cost would be approximately $50,000. Birds Arc Like Ilnmnn Being*. Canaries, like human beings, vary very much in character, some cocks be ing so indifferent and idle that they will let the hen do all the work of building and rearing, while they them selves sit and plume their feathers. Others, again, are perfect gentlemen in their manners, waiting cryi the hen with a quiet courtesy and seeing that all she requires is at once brought to her. Again, the liens vary In disposition, some hens behaving in a quiet, modest way, attending to their young ones with regularity, while others are in a constant state of chatter with their husbands, pecking and arguing with them every time they go near. Thus we see that these little birds have their tiffs and domestic quarrels, uot unlike ourselves.—Chambers’ Journal. FURNISH YOUR HOUSE FOR 89 50. HERE YOU ARE Bedroom Suite, a beauty, - - - - $2S<0 Mattress and Spring. - 5,00 2 pair Pillows. - _ i.no 1 Oak Side-Board. - - - - - ]i 00 1 Oak Extension Table. - , r ,.oo 1 ' o 7 Stov .Perfect Cook, ... jo oo 6 Ilining Room Chairs, Cane Seat, - 5 00 I s-nfe. Tin or Wire, - . - - - 2 75 1 Kitchen Table. ----- j 75 FLEMING & BO A LE3, 901 Brood St., Augusta, Gk. ^ Dealer in Stoves, GRATES, RANGES -iX.3>T23 TTTrkTTTT’.A.IfcS 830 Broad Street, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA aug2-l.ltMI mmwmmwmmm mssmmn Old Customs Official Expires. San Francisco, Jan. 14.—E. B. Je rome, chief clerk and assistant custo dian in the United States customs house at this port, died at his home in Oakland early today of pneumonia. He served 34 years in the customs ser vice at this port and personally trans acted a large part of the business of the office. He was a veteran of the civil war. For years he was president of the Reliance Wheel club. Trial Set for Next Week. New York, Jan. 14.—Albert T. Pat rick, ho is to be tried next week on the charge of murdering William Marsh Rice, was brought before Jus tice Beach in special term of the su preme court on an adjourned writ of habeas corpus obtained in December by his counsel. It was arranged that his trial would begin Jan. 13, but it was decided to postpone it until next Monday. Pearce Gets Ten Years. Raleigh, Jan. 14.—Gratton Pearce, the negro who at Wilmington shot and killed aged Joe King, another negro, at night in a yard and who was tried for murder in the first degree, escapes with a 10-year sentence for murder in the second degree. To Cure the Stammerer. It is said that stammerers rarely if ever show any impediment of speech when speaking in whispers. On this fact a method of treatment has been advocated, which is as follows: For the first ,ten days speaking is prohibited. This will allow rest to the voice and constitutes the preliminary stage of treatment. During the next ten days speaking is permissible in the whisper ing voice, and in the course of the next fifteen days tlie ordinary conversation al tone may be gradually employed. Rcnit n* the new* of your tertian. 4<3-r*.rH*?n* rr:f*» 1th*r*I Moil is Llll! :: On improved Farms in Burke, Jefferson, Washington. Jef- feson. Bulloch, Johnson aud Rich mond Counties. No Commissions. Lowest Rates. Longtime or install ments. ALEXANDER & JOHNSON, 705 Broad St., Augusta, Ga •» indigestion dyspepsia biliousness and the hundred and one simi lar ills caused by impure blood or inactive liver, quickly yield to the purifying and cleansing I properties contained in , Johnston’s Sarsaparilla Call «b u« when la the city. QUART BOTTLE. It cures permanently by acting naturally on all organs of the body. Asa blood-cleanser, flesh- builder, and health-restorer, it has no equal. Put us in Quart Bottles, and sold at $i each. ‘THE MICHIGAN DRUd COMPANY," Detroit, Mich. ; q Take Liverettes for Liver Ills. 35c. 9 Sale by U B, McMASTEB, Waynesboro, (is, RYE WHISKEY ft m A.t 8BS.OO Per G-allon. Old-Fashioned HAND-MADE CORN WHISKEY. GVt $2.00 Per Gallon. A., P. PADEPT’S. -Aluamsta* Gr^ Corner road nd McKinne Sts. I- AND WINDOW SHADES. , ritntore’ Hotel. —BSBSBBgga^y