The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-12-07


u&klknHb graph wire extended from
the Ural mountains 10
the eastern frontier OF Siberia the dis
patch service was performed by con-
riers. those who travelled the most rap.
idly taking eighteen days 10 get from
Moscow to lTiutsk.
In the first place, however, he must
not travel as a courier OF the ear nsu-
ally would No one nust even suspect
what he really was. SPIES swarm in a
robellious country. Let him be recog-
nized. and his mission would be In dan.
ger. Also. while supplying him with q
large sum Of money, which was sutii-
Client for his journey and would facill-
tate II In some measure, General ks
soft had not given him any document
specifying that he was In the emperor's
service. which is the sesame par ex-
cellence. He contented himself with
furnishing him with podorojna.
The podorojna was made out In the
name Of Nicholas korpanoif, merchant.
living at Irkutsk 1t authorized Nicho-
las korpano1 70 be accompanied. If
moreover, Il was by special notification
made available in the event of the Mus.
coyite government forblddlng natives
of any other countries 10 leave Russia.
The podorojna Is simply permission
10 take post horses, but Michael Stro
gon was not 10 use II unless he was
sure that by so doing he would not ox-
cite suspicion as TO his misslon-that Is
TO say, while he was ON European ter
ritory. The consequence was that In
Siberia. while traversing the insurgent
provinces, he would have no power
over the relays either In the choice OF
horses In preference 10 others or In de-
handing conveyances for his personal
use. Neither was Michael Strogoif TO
forget that he was no longer a courier
but plain merchant, Nicholas korpa-
noff, travelling from Moscow TO Irkutsk,
and as such exposed to all the impedi-
ments OF an ordinary journey.
To pass unknown more or less rapid
~. but TO pass somehow or other-such
were the directions lac had received.
Thirty years previously the escort OF
traveller OF rank consisted Of not less
than 200 mounted Cossacks, 200 foot
soldiers, % Baskir horsemen, 800 cam
els, 400 horses. . wagons. portable
boats and > pieces OF cannon. All this
was requisite for journey in Siberia
Michael Strogoif, however. had neil
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 be could
not.
There would be no difficulty in get
ting over the first 1900 versts. the dis
lance between Moscow and the Rus
sian frontier Railroads, post carriages,
steamboats,. relays of horses. were at
every ones disposal and consequently
at the disposal Of the courier OF the
car.
Accordingly on the morning Of the
10th Of July, having doifed 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 Stro-
gon arrived at the station In time for
the first traip. He carried no arms.
openly at least, but under his belt was
hidden revolver and in his pocket
one OF those large knives with which n
Siberian hunter can SO neatly disem-
bowel bear without injuring its pre-
cious fur.
A crowd Of travellers 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 20 see them
off. 1t indeed resembles from the va
riety OF characters assembled small
news exchange
The train in which Michael took his
place was 20 set him down at Mini
Novgorod. There terminated AT that
time the iron road which. uniting Mos
COW and ST. Petersburg. VIII eventually
continue TO the Russian frontier. 1t was
n journey OF about 400 yersts. and the
train would accomplish II In ten hours.
Once arrived at Mini Noygorod. Stro-
goH would. according 70 circumstances,
either take the land route or the steam.
or on the volga. 50 "a 10 reach the ural
mountains ms soon ( possible.
Michael sgo%on 80 "a hi"s
In his corner like worthy e.1l..s
whose affairs go well with him and
who endeayors TO Kill time by sleep.
Nevertheless, as he was not alone I'm
his compartment. he slept with one eye
open and listened with both his ears.
In fact, the rumor of the rising of the
Kirghiz hordes and Of the Tartar lnva.
sion had transpired In some degree.
The occupants OF the carriage, whom
chance had made his travelling 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
reasonable expressions which may be
uttered.
AZ The vladimir station fresh trav-
clers entered the train. Among others.
young girl presented herself at the
door Of the carriage occupied by MI
cbopi CtpoUoT