The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-12-21
CHAPTER WIN.

the right bank, where ne
fell exhausted ameng the bushes.
when he recovered his senses. he
found himself in the cabin Of a mujlk,
who had picked him up and cared for
him and to whom he owed his life
For how long a time had he been the
guest OF this brave Siberian He could
not guess. but when be opened his eyes
he saw the handsome bearded face
bending over him and regarding him
with plying eyes. Tie was abou. 70
ask where he was when the mujik, an
ticipatng him, said:
do not speak. little father, do moi
speak. Thou art still too weak / win
tel thee where thou art and everything
that has passed since brought thee to
my cabin"
Aud the mujik related to Mickacl
Srogon the dllrorcnt Incidents of the
struggle which he had witnessed-the
attack upon the ferry by the Tartar
boats. the pillage of the tafantass and
the massacre Of the boatmen.
But Michael Strogoff listened no lon
ger and slipping his hand under his
garment, he felt the imperial letter stih
secured In his breast.
lie breathed IA sigh Of relief. But that
/ was not all.
~ young girl accompanied me" said
\ he.
"Thcy have not killed her. replied
the mujlk. anticipating the anxiety
which he read IN the eyes OF his guest
'Thcy have carried her Off in their
boat and have continued the descent OF
the Irish. 1t is only one prisoner more
TO join SO many others which they are
taking TO Tomsk.'
Michael Strogofr was unable 20 reply.
He pressed his hand upon his heart to
restrain It's beating.
But. Notwithstanding these many
trials. the sentiment OF duty mastered
his whole soul.
lie remembered the errand which he
had undertaken. Indeed never by day
or night was his cmperor's mission for
even moment absent from his mind
Not the presence Of the greatest dan
ger. the fortunes Of hunger and thirst,
the WEAKNESS OF excessive fatigue, not
even all combined could cause him 10
forget that momentous matter WINS
lntrusted to his courage. his zeal. his
fidelity and his endurance. Michael
Sroroff was worthy Of this trust
Where am r. asked he.
Upon the right bank OF the Irish,
only five versts from Omsk," replied
the mujl.
"What wound can ! have received
which could have thus FRUSTRATED met
1t was not q gunshot woundf"
"No, q lance thrust upon the head,
now healing" replied The mujik. AFT.
er few days rest little father. thou
wilt be able 10 proceed. Thou didst fail
into the river but the Tartars neither
touched nor searched thee, and thy
purse is still IN thy pocket"
I Michael Strogoff gripped the mujilss
hand Then, recovering himself with
sudden effort Friend" said he. chow
long have | been IN thy hutg'
Three days"
"1hrec days LOST"
Three days hast thou lain uncon-
sciousr
Hast thou horse to sell me?'
"Thou wishest 20 r9T
AT once"
II have neither horse nor carriage.
little father Where the Tartar has
passed there remains nothlngr
"Well, | viii 90 on foot 60 Omsk to
find a horse
"a few more hours Of rest and thou
wilt ha ID better condition to pursue
thy joIrncy"
Not an hour
Come, now" replied the muiik rec
ogn.zing the fact that It was useless
TO struggle against the will OF his guest,
II VIII guide thee myself. Besides"
he add, q, "thc Russians are still In
great force at Omsk and thou couldsi
perhaps pass unpcrcciyed."
Friend" replied Michael, heaven
reward thee fog all thou hast done for
me-
Reward. Only fools cxpcci reward
on earth" replied the mujik
Michael Strogoff went out OF the hut
When he tried 10 walk. he was seized
with such faintness that without the
assistance OF the mujlk he would have
fallen. but the fresh air quickly re
/ NlNtu hiils ne NutH itll inc WOuHu IN
his head, the violence OF which his fur
cap had lesscncd. With the energy
which he possessed he was not man
TO succumb under such trihe. Before
his eyes lay n single goal-far distant
Irkutsk. lie must reach itl But he
must pass through Omsk without stop
ping there.
God nrofecf my mother md Nadiaf-
he murmured. Il have no longer the
right TO think OF themw
Michael Strogofr and the mujlk soon
arrived In the mercantile quarter OF the
lower town. and. although under mill
tary occupation, they entered II with
out difficulty. The surrounding earth
work had been destroyed In many
places. and there were the breaches
through which the marauders who fol
lowed ,..C ...Iuics OF FeOfar-knhn had