The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-12-25

were lTaNSrSSG IL UIuldl GidANSL ~
the soldiers. These unfortunate ones
urged on with blows and pushed will
the wood Of the lances, quickly arrang
ed themselves along the outer edge O
the camp. Four lines Of Infantry ant
cavalry drawn up at the lack rendered
all escape impossible.
Order for silence was at once given
and at sign from Ivan Ogareff San
garre directed her steps toward th'
group in the middle Of which was Mar
ia Strogoff.
The old Siberian saw her coming
She understood what was about to hap
pen. A disdainful smile played on he
lips. Then, turning to Nadia, she sait
to her in low voice:
"You do not know me any longer, m!
daughter. Whatever happens and how
ever trying may be this examination
not word, not gesture. 1t IS fo
him, not for me. they search"
At this moment Sangarre, after hav
ing looked around for an instant, placed
her hand upon the shoulder of the ole
Siberian.
'What do you wish from me?" sale
Maria Strogof.
Come" answered Sangarre.
And, pushing her with her hand, she
led her into the middle Of the reserved
space before Ivan Ogareff.
Michael Strogof kept his eyelashes
half closed in order that the brightness
OF his eyes should not betray him.
Maria Strogoff. having come in front
Of Ivan Ogaref. Strengthened her per
son, crossed her arms and waited.
care you indeed Maria Strogof:" de,
manded Ivan OgareG.
YES" answered the old Siberian,
with calmness.
"Have you changed your mind as re-
CARDS the statement you made to me
when, three days ago. interrogated
you at Omsk%' "
"No."
$50 you,are ignorant Of the fact that
your son, Michael Strcsoff. courier OF
the czar, has passed through Omss:'
81 am ignorant OF it.
s.And that The man that you believed
to have recognized as your son at the
posthouse was not he--was not youl
Sonw
"He was not ny son.
"And have you not seen him since
among the p::soners:"
"No."
"And if be were shown TO you would
you recognize him.?
"No."
At this answer. which showed an IL
flexible determination to avow nothing
q nlurmur of appreciation arose from
the crowd.
Ivan Ogareff could not restrain a
menacinS gesture.
Listen" said he to Maria Strogof
'Your son is here. and you go ct once
to point him out"
"No."
"All these men. taken at Omsk and al
Nalyvan. are going to deiie before
your eyes. and if you Go not point out
Michael Strosoff yon shall receive as
many blows of the knout as there shall
be men who have passed before you"
Ivan OgareH had now realized that
whatever threats he might utter and to
whatever tortures he might subject her
the indomitable Siberian would not
speak. To discover the courier Of the
czar he now counted not upon her, bu,
upon Michael Strogof himself. He did
not believe it possible that when the
mother and the son Should be brought
into the presence of each other an ire
sistible impulse would not betray them
Certainly If he had only wished to
gain possession Of the imperial letter
he could simply have given orders fol
all these prisoners to be searched. But
Michael Strogof might have destroyed
this letter after learning its contents
and if he were not recognized and he
should gain Irkutsk the plans Of Ivan
Ogaref would be all frustrated. Where
fore it was not only the letter which he
must have from the traitor; he must
have the bearer Of it.
Nadia at length understood all, and
she now knew who was Michael Stro
gof and why he had wished to tray
erse, without being known, the invaded
provinces Of Siberia.
On the order Of Ivan Ogareif the pris
oners passed one by one before Maria
StrogoG. who remained immovable as
a statue and whose regard expressed
only the most complete Indifference.
Her son was in the last ranks. When
in his turn he passed before his moth
er, Nadia shut her eyes in order not to
see him.
Michael Strogoff had remained ap
parently impossible. but his hands were
bleeding from the pressure Of the fet
ters.
Ivan Ogaref was conquered by the
son and the mother.
Sangarre. placed near him. only said
one word-'knout!'
yes" cried Ivan Ogareff, "let this
old jade have the kuout and let the
punishment continue until she die!'
a Tartar soldier. carrying that terri
bic instrument Of torture. approached
Maria Strogof.
The knout is composed of q certain
number Of leather thongs. to the ends
of which are attached twisted iron wire
One can easily understand that to be
condemned to receive hundred and
twenty blows from such a whip is the
same thing as to be condemned to
Saa+h AIo-fo Strnnoff l-nor1- Il ln,,t