Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-11
CHAPTER XIV.

SS "Is the road deserted?'
he asked.
without q soul on It," replied Nadia.
"Do you not hear some noise be-
hindY
"Truly."
"If these are the Tartars. we must
hide ourselves. Look WELL"
"Listen, Michaelr' replied Nadia, as
cending the road, which diverged some
PAGES to the right.
Michael Strogoff stopped an instant
alone, stretching his ears to listen.
Nadia returned almost Immediately
and said:
"It is q vehicle. A young man is lead
ing It,"
HE Is aloneY'
"Alone."
Michael Strogoff hesitated for mo-
ment. Ought he to hide, or ought he,
on the contrary. try the chance Of find
ing a place In his vehicle, If not for
himself, at least for her? For himself,
he would be content to rest his hand
on It and would push when needed. for
his legs were far from failing him. but
he felt that Nadia. dragged on foot
since the passage Of the Obi-namely.
for more that eight days-was at the
end Of her strength.
He waited. The vehicle arrived soon
at the turn of the road.
1t was a very dilapidated vehicle.
able to hold at most three persons
what Is called in that country kibitka.
The kibitka Is usually drawn by three
horses, but this une was urawn only by
one horse, with long hair and long
tail, but it's Mongolian blood affirmed
strength and courage.
A young man conducted It. having
near him dog.
Nadia at ouce saw that this young
man was q Russian. He had sweet
and phlegmatic appearance which In
spired confidence.
Moreover. he did not appear to be in
the least hurry. He walked with
quiet step in order not to overdrive his
horse, and to see him one could never
have believed that he was following
route which the Tartars might cut OF
at any moment.
Nadia. holding the hand Of Michael
Strogoff, stood Oh one side.
The kibitka stopped. and the driver
looked at the young girl. at the same
time smiling.
"And where are you going In this
fashion?" be asked her as he looked
pleasantly round.
At the sound of his voice Michael
Strogoft said to himself that be had
heard it somewhere. and without doubt
it was sufficient to cause him to rec
ognlze the driver Of the kibitka. for his
face at once became serene.
"Well, now, where are you going?
repeated the young man. addressing
himself more directly to Michael Stro-
gon.
"We were going to Irkutsk," answer
ed the latter.
"Oh, my good man. do you not know,
then, that there are many. many versts
between this and Irkutsk?"
II know it."
"And you are going on foot?"
ION foot"
"As for you. it's all right. but the
miss"
"She is my sister," said Michael Stro.
goff. who thought 1t more prudent to
give this name again to Nadia.
Eyes, your sister, my good man. But,
believe me. she will never be able to
reach Irkutsk."
Friend" replied Michael Strogof as
he drew near, "the Tartars have rob-
bed us, and have not copeck TO otter
thee, but If you will take my sister
near you l will follow the carriage on
foot. l will run If it be necessary and
will not delay you one hour"
Brother" cried Nadia. 81 do not
wish it! l do not wish it! Sir, my
brother Is blind~
"Blind" said the young man in a
voice moved with emotion.
''The Tartars have burned out his
eyesw answered Nadia. stretching out
her hands as though to implore pity.
Burned your eyes? Oh, poor, dear
man! l am going to Krasnoiarsk.
Well, now. why do you not mount with
your sister into the kibitka? In sitting
a little closer we shall hold each other
up Besides, my dog will not refuse to
60 on foot. Only do not 60 fast in or
der to spare my horse"
"Friend, what do they call your
asked Michael Strogof.
81 am called Nicholas Pigassof."
at is q name that shall never for.
get" answered Michael Strogoff.
"Well, then, mount, my good blind
man. Your sister shall be near you at
the back OF the car; In front TO con-
duct. There are some good birch bark
and some barley straw OH the bottom
It's like O nest. Come. Serko, give us
ROOM"
The dog jumped off without much
asking. 1t was an animal Of the Sibe'
rian breed, with gray hide. medium
size, with q good. large and carcSsing
head, and which appeared TO be very
attached to his master.
Michael Strogoff and Nadia ii an i'll
slant were installed in the kibitka. Mi
chacl Strogoff had stretched out his
hands as though to search those OF
Nicholas PigaSsof.
us it my hands you wish to press?
said Nicholas. Here they are, my
good man. Shake them as much as
you like"
The kihitka was soon in motion. The
horse, which Nicholas never struck