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

personally. and at various times he
has fulfilled difficult missions with sue
cess"
Abroad
"In Siberia itself"
"Where does he come fromT
"From Omsk. He is Siberian"
"Has he GOODNESS, intelligence. cour.
de-.
Yes, sire; he has all the qualities
necessary 10 succeed even where others
might possibly fail"
What is his age?"
'Thirty."
'Is lac strong and vigorous"
"Sire, he can bear cold, hunger, thirst.
fatigue, to the very last extremitles."
"He must have frame OF iron"
''Sire he has"
''And hearth
"a heart of gold"
"His nameT
michael Strogoff."
as he ready TO set outY'
'"IIe awaits your majesty's orders In
the guardroom."
LET him come in" said the ear.
In few minutes Michael Strogoff.
the courier. entered the imperial II
brary.
The car fixed a penetrating look
upon him without utterlng 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 n difficult task 10
move such a man against his Will. for
when his feet were once planted on the
ground Il was as If they had taken root.
AS he dotted his Muscovte cap locks
of thick curly hair fell over his broad,
massive forehead. When his ordinari-
ly pale face became at all flushed, II
arose solely from more rapid action
of the heart. under the influence of n
quicker circulation. His eyes OF a deep
blue looked with "A clear. frank, firm
gaze.
The slightly contracted eyebrows in
Dictated lofty heroism-"the hero's cool
courage" according to the definition Of
the Psychologist. He possessed a fine
nose. with large nostrils, and a well
shaped mouth, with the slightly pro-
Jecting lips which denote n generous
and noble heart.
Michael Strogon had the tempera-
ment Of man Of action. who does not
bite his nails or scratch his head in
doubt and lndecision. Sparing of ges
lures as Of words, he always stood mo-
tionless like n soldier before his supe-
rior, but when he moved his step show.
ed firmness, a freedom of movement
which proved the confidence and vivac-
ity OF his mind.
Michael Strogoff wore Il 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 glittered cross and
medals.
Michael Strogo0 belonged 70 the spc-
cial curps Of the ears courIers, rank
ing as an officer among those picked
men. His most discernible character
particularly in his walk, his face,
In the whole man, and which the car
perceived at n glance-was that he was
n "fulfiller OF orders" He therefore
possessed one OF the most scrviceable
qualities In Russla-one which the cele-
brated novelist Turgeneff says "win
lead TO the highest positions In the
Muscoylte empire"
In short. If any one could accomplish
this journey from Moscow TO Irkutsk
across the rebelllous country. surmount
obstacles and brave perils OF all sorts.
Michael StrogOf 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 70 tray
ersc and 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-
gon had killed his first bear quite
alone That was nothing. But after
stripping it he dragged the gigantic
skin to his fathers house
many versts distant, thus exhibiting
remarkable strength IN boy 80 y0pas
Gifted with marvellous acuiencss.
when every object was hidden In MIDST
or even IN higher attitudes. where the
polar night Is prolonged for many.days,
he could ind his way when others
would have had no Idea whittier 10 III.
rect their steps He bad learned t0'
read almost lmperccptlble signs, the