The Iola register., 1901-12-06
CHAPTER II.

II Will answer for him to your maJes-
ty."
"Has he been in the service of the
palaceT
Eyes, sire"
"You know hlmY
personally, and at various times he
has fulfilled difficult missions with sue
cess"
"Abroad?"
ain Siberia itself"
"Where does he come from?"
"From Omsk. He Is a Siberian"
HAS he coolness, intelligence. cour.
age?
Eyes, sire; he has all the qualities
necessary to succeed even where others
might possibly fail"
what is his age"
Thirty"
"Is he strong and vigorousT'
"Sire, he can bear cold, hunger, thirst,
fatigue, TO the very last extremities."
"He must have a frame of iron."
"Sirc. he has"
"And a hearth sS
"A heart of gold"
His nameY
"Mlchael Strogoif."
"Is he ready to set outY"
"He awaits your majestys orders in
the guardroom."
Let him come In SAID the czar.
In n few minutes Michael Strogoff.
the courier, entered the imperial H.
brary.
The cZar fixed a penetrating look
upon him without uttering a word.
while Michael stood perfectly motion
less.
Michael Strogoff was a tall, vigorous,
broad shouldered, deep chested man.
His powerful head possessed the fine
features of the Caucasian race. His
well knit frame seemed built for the
performance of feats of strength. 1t
would have been a difficult task to
move such n man against his will, for
when his feet were once planted on the
ground 1t was as If they had taken root.
AS he doffed his Muscovite cap locks
of thick curly hair fell over his broad,
massive forehead. When his ordinari-
ly pale face became at all flushed, 1t
arose solely from more rapid action
OF the heart, under the influence of n
blue looked with n clear, frank, firm
gaze.
The slightly contracted eyebrows in
dlcated lofty heroism-'the hero's cool
courage" according to the definition Of
the psychologist. He possessed n fine
nose, with large nostrls, and a well
shaped mouth, with the slightly pro-
jectng lips which denote n generous
and noble heart.
Michael Strogoff had the tempera-
ment of Il man of action, who does not
bite his nails or scratch his head in
doubt and indecision. Sparing of ges-
lures as of words, he always stood mo-
tionless like a soldier before his supe-
rior, but when he moved his step show
ed flrmness. freedom of movement.
which proved the confidence and vivac-
ity of his mind.
Michael Strogoff wore a handsome
military uniform, something resembling
that of n light cavalry officer in the
field-boots, spurs, half tightly fitting
trousers, brown pelisse, trimmed with
fur and ornamented with yellow braid.
On his breast glttered a cross and
medals.
Michael Strogoff belonged to the spe-
cial corps of the cars couriers, rank
ing as an officer among those picked
men. His most discernible character
Iistic-particularly in his walk, his face,
in the whole man, and which the czar
perceived at a glance-was that he was
"fulhller of orders" He therefore
possessed one of the most serviceable
qualities in Russia-one which the cele-
brated novelist Turgeneff says "wln
lead to the highest positions in the
Muscovite empire"
In short, II any one could accomplish
this journey from Moscow to Irkutsk
across the rebellious country. surmount
obstacles and brave perlls of ali sorts,
Michael StrOgon was the man.
A circumstance especially favorable
to the success of his plans was that he
was thoroughly acquainted with the
country which he was about TO trav-
erse Pnd understood its different dia-
lects, not only from having Travelled
there before, but because he was OF
Siberian origin.
When he was fourteen, Michael StrO'
goff had killed his first bear quite
alone That was nothing. But after
stripping it he dragged the gigantic
animals skin to his fathers house,
many versts distant, thus exhibiting
remarkable strength in Il boy so young,
Gifted with marvellous acuteness,
when every object was hidden in mist
or even in higher attitudes, where the
polar night is prolonged for many days.
he could find his way when others
would have had no idea whittier TO di-
rect their steps. He had learned to
nd almost imnprrpntibla sipns tha