Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-11-20
THE COURIER OF THE CZAR,
Bx JULES VERNE.

| Strogoff, with bis finger on his lips.
At this moment a detachment de-
bouched from the principal squsre Into
the street which Michael Strogoh and
his companion had been just following
At the head Of the detachment, com.
posed of twenty horsemen, was an off,
Ger dressed In a very simple uniform
Although he glanced rapidly from one
side to the other, he could not have
seen Michael Strogoff owing to his pre-.
cipitous retreat.
The detachment went at full trot into
the narrow street. Neither the officer
nor his escort concerned themselves
about the inhabitants. Several unlucky
ones had scarcely time to make way
for their passage. There were, there
fore, q few half stitled cries, to which
the thrusts of the lance gave an instant
reply, and the street was Immediately
cleared.
When the escort had disappeared,
"Who Is that oflcer?" asked Michael
Strogoff, returning toward the mujik.
And while putting the question bis face
was pale as that Of a corpse.
"It Is Ivan Ogarefr." replied the Sibe-
rian, but In deep voice which breath
ed hatred.
"Hew cried Michael Strogof. from
whom the word escaped with an accent
Of fury which he could not conquer.
He had just recognized In this officer
the traveller who had struck him at the
posting house Of Ichim. and. although
he had only caught glimpse Of him. 1t
burst upon his mind at the same time
that this traveller was the old Zingdri
whose words he had overheard In the
market place Of Mini Novgorod.
The mujik and Michael resumed their
way and arrived at the posting house.
To leave Omsk by one Of the breaches
would not be difficult after nightfall.
As for purchasing carriage to replace
the tarantass, that was impossible.
There was none to be let or sold. But
what want had Michael Strogof now
for carriage? Was he not alone. alas?
A horse would suffice him, and. very
fortunately, q horse could be had. 1t
was an animal Of mettle, capable OF
enduring much fatigue, and Michael
Strogoff, accomplished horseman rs he
was, could make good use Of 1t.
The horse cost q high price, and
few moments later Michael was ready
to start 1t was then o'clock In the
afternoon.
Michael Strogoff, compelled to walt
till nightfall in order to pass the fortl'
fications, but not desiring to show him.
self in the streets Of Omsk. remained In
the posting house and there partook OF
food.
There was a great crowd In the pub
lie room, it being the resort OF numbers
Of the anxious inhabitants. who at this
eventful period collected there to OBJ
tain news. They were talking OF the
expected arrival Of corps Of Musco'
vite troops, not at Omsk, but at Tomsk,
q corps intended to recapture that town
from the Tartars Of Feofar-Kahn.
Michael Strogoff lent an attentive ear
to all that was said. but took. no part
in the conversation.
Suddenly q cry made him tremble.
cry which penetrated to the depths OF
his soul. and these two words, SO 10
speak, rushed into his ear:
my son"
His mother, the old woman Maria,
was before him! Trembling. she smil'
ed upon him. She stretched forth her
arms to him. Michael Strogof arose
He was about to throw himself
The thought Of duty, the serious dan
ger for his mother and himself In this
unfortunate meeting. suddenly stopped
him, and such was his command over
himself that not a muscle Of his face
moved.
There were twenty people in the pub
lie room. Among them were perhaps
spies, and was it not known In the
town that the son Of Maria Strogoh
belonged to the corps Of the couriers OF
the czar?
Michael Strogoff did not move.
michael" cried his mother.
"Who are you. my good lady" MI
chael Strogoff stammered. unable to
speak in his usual firm tone.
"Who am |, thou askest? Dost thou
no longer know thy mother"
"You are mistaken" coldly replied
Michael Strogoff. "A resemblance de-
ceives you"
The old Maria went up to him and.
looking straight into his eyes, said:
"Thou art not the sen Of Peter and
Maria Strogoff?"
Michael Strogoff would have given
his life to have locked his mother In his
arms, but If he yielded 1t was all over
with him, with her, with his mission.
with his oath! Completely master OF
himself, he closed his eyes in order not
to see the inexpressible anguish which
aeitated the revered countenance Of his
mother. He drew back his hands ID
order not to touch those trembling
hands which sought him.
81 do not know, in truth, what 1t is
you say, my good woman" he replied'
stepping back.
"Michaelw again cried his aged moth
er.
"My name is not Michael. l never
was your son! am Nicholas korpa'
noff, q merchant of Irkutsk."
And suddenly he left the public room
while for the last time the words re-
echoed:
"My son, my son.
Michael Strogoff. by desperate er.
fort, had gone. He did not see his oio