The Iola register., 1901-12-27
TheCOurier
Of theCzar
BY JULES VERNE


1t is to be hoped that the invention of
Russian coachbuilders will devise
some improvement in this last named
vehicle. Springs are wanting in it, so
it is very uncomfortable. In the alb
sence of iron. wood Is not spared, but
its four wheels. with eight or nine feet
between them. assure certain equilib-
rum over the jolting rough roads. A
splash board protects the travellers from
the mud, and n strong leather hood,
which may be pulled quite over the oc-
cupiers. shelters them from the great
heat and violent storms of the summer
1t was not without careful search
that Michael managed to discover this
tarantass. and there was probably not
a second to be found In all the town Of
Perm. Notwithstanding that, he hag.
gled long about the price, for forms
sake. to act up to his part as Nicholas
Korpanoff, a plain merchant of Ir-
kutsk.
Nadia had followed her companion in
his search after a suitable vehicle. AL
though the object of each was differ
ent, both were equally anxious to ar
rive and consequently to start. One
would have said the same will animat-
ed them both.
SISTER" said Michael, "I wish
could have found a more comfortable
conveyance for you"
"Do you say that to me, brother
when l would have gone on foot, If
need were. to rejoin my father|
II do not doubt your courage, Nadia
but there are physical fatigues which a
woman may be unable to endure"
II shall endure them, whatever they
may be, replied the girl. "If you ever
hear complaint from my lips, you
may leave me In the road and continue
your journey alone"
Half an hour later on, the podorojna
being presented by Michael, three post
horses were harnessed to the tarantass.
These animals, covered with long hair,
were very like long legged bears. They
were small, but spirited, being of Sibe-
rian breed.
They were harnessed thus: One, the
largest, was secured between two long
shafts on whose farther end was a
hoop called a douga, carrying tassels
and bells. The two others We're sim
ply fastened by ropes TO the steps Of the
tarantass. This was the complete har-
ness, with mere strings for reins.
Neither Michael Strogoff nor the
young Llvonian girl had any baggage.
The rapidity with which one wished to
make the journey and the more than
modest resources of the other prevent.
ed them from embarrassing themselves
with packages. 1t was a fortunate
thing under the circumstances, for the
tarantass could not have carried both
baggage and travellers. 1t was only
made for two persons, without count
ing the driver, who kept his equilibri'
um on his narrow seat in marvellous
manner.
The driver is changed at every relay.
The man who drove the tarantass dur
ing the first stage was, like his horses,
q Siberian and no less shaggy than
they-long hair, cut square on the fore
head, hat with turned up rim, red belt
coat with crossed facings and buttons
stamped with the imperial cipher. The
driver on coming up with his team
threw an inquisitive glance at the pas
sengers of the tarantass. No luggage
And had there been, where in the
world could he have slowed it? Rath-
er shabby in appearance too. He look
ed contemptuous.
Grows" said he, without caring
whether he was overheard or not;
sfcrnvyu n n onnnnLc a varStVi
''No; eagles" said Michael, who un-
derstood the slang perfectly; eagles,
do you hear at 8 copecks verst and q
tip besides"
He was answered by a merry crack
of the whip.
In the language of the Russian pos.
tilions the 'crow" is the stingy or poor
traveller who at the posthouses only
pays 2 or copecks a verst for the
horses. The "eagle" is the traveller
who does not mind expense, to say
nothing of liberal tips. Therefore the
crow could not claim to fly as rapidly
as the imperial bird.
Nadia and Michael Immediately took
their places in the tarantass. A small
store of provisions was put in the box,
in case at any time they were delayed
in reaching the posthouses, which are
very comfortably provided under di.
rection of the state. The hood was
pulled up, as it was insupportably hot
and at II o'clock the tarantass, drawn
by its three horses, left Perm in q
cloud of dust.
CI pTED VT