Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-11-26
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER Ill
- HE distance between Mo-
IL" COW and Irkutsk, about
to be traversed by Nj
chael Srogont. was $500
yEMSZESNJ versts. Before the tele-
lSe2SS9} graph wire extended from
the Ural mountains to
the eastern frontier Of Siberia the dis
patch service was performed BY cou-
riers, those who Travelled the most rap
IDLY taking eighteen days to get from
Moscow to Irkutsk.
In the first place, however. be must
not travel as a courier Of the car usu-
ally would. No one must even suspect
what he really was. Spies swarm IN q
rebellious country. Let him be recog-
nized, and his mission would be in dam
ger. Also, while supplying him with
large sum of money, which was suffi-
cient for his journey and would facih-
tate It In some measure, General kis-
soff had not given him any document
specifying that he was In the emperors
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 Korpanof, merchant
living at Irkutsk. It authorized Nicho-
las Korpanof to be accompanied. II
requisite. by one or more persons, and,
moreover, 1t was by special notification
made available In the event Of the Mus
covite government forbidding natives
Of any other countries to leave Russia
The podorojna is simply permission
to take post horses. but Michael Stro-
goff was not to use It unless he was
sure that by so doing he would not e1-
cite suspicion as to his mission-that is
to say. while he was on European ter
ritory. The consequence was that IN
Siberia. while trayersing the insurgent
provinces, he would have no power
over the relays either in the choice OF
horses in preference to others or In de-
manding conveyanees for his personal
use. Neither was Michael Strogof to
forget that he was no longer a courier.
but plain merchant. Nicholas korpa-
noff, travelling from Moscow to lrkutsk.
and as such exposed to all the impedi-
ments of au ordinary journey.
To pass unknown more or less rapid
", but to pass somehow or other-such
were the directions he had received.
Thirty years previously the escort OF
a traveller Of rank consisted OF not less
than 200 mounted Cossacks, 200 foot
soldiers, 25 Baskir horsemen, 300 cam
els. 400 horses. Is wagons. portable
boats and 2 pieces Of cannon. All this
was requisite for a journey in Siberia.
Michael Strogoff, however, had mel
ther cannon nor horsemen nor foot SOL
diers nor beasts of burden. He would
travel In q carriage or on horseback
when he could. on foot when he could
not.
There would be no difficulty in 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 ones disposal and consequently
at the disposal Of the courier Of the
car.
Accordingly on the morning Of the
18th 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 Stro'
gon 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 with which q
Siberian hunter can 80 neatly disem-
bowel a 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 to see them
OF. 1t indeed resembles from the va
riety Of characters assembled a small
news exchange.
The train in which Michael took bis
place was to set him down at Mini
Novgorod. There terminated at that
time the iron road which, uniting Mos
COW and st. Petersburg. will eventually
continue to the Russian frontier. 1t was
a Journey Of about 400 versts, and the
train would accomplish 1t In ten hours.
Once arrived at Mini Novgorod, Stro-
gon would. according to circumstances,
either take the land route or the steam
er on the volga, 80 as to reach the Ural
mountains as soon as possible.
Michael Strogoff enscOnsed himself
In his corner like a worthy citizen
whose affairs 60 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.
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 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.
| At the Vladimir station fresh trav'
i elers entered the train. Among others,
q young girl presented herself at the
/ door of the carriage occupied by MI
ehael Strogoff.
/ A vacant place was found opposite
the courier Of the czar. The young girl
/ took II after placing by her side mod
est travelling bag Of red leather which
seemed to constitute her luggage. Then
seating herself with downcast eyes. she
prepared for q journey which was still
i to last several hours.
Michael Strogor could not help look
ing attentively at his newly arrived fel
low traveller. AS she was 30 placed al
to travel with her back to the engine
he even offered her his seat which sht
might prefer to her own. but she thank
ed him with slight bend OF her grace
full neck.
| rho vovn0 Oirl snueayod to he aboui