The Iola register., 1901-12-13
TheCourier
Of theCzar
BY JULES VERNE
CHAPTER III.


the eastern frontier OF Siberia the dis
patch service was performed by cou-
Eiers, those who travelled the most rap
idly taking eighteen days TO get from
Moscow to Irkutsk
In the first place, however, he must
not travel as courier OF the czar usu-
nlly would. No one must even suspect
what he really was. Spies swarm in
rehellious country. Let him be recog-
Rized, and his mission would be in dan
ger. Also, while supplying him with
largC sum OF money. which was suft-
eient for his journey and would facili-
tate II in some measure, General Kis-
sOsf had not given him any document
specifying that he was in the emperor's
service, which is the sesame par ex-
ceilence. He contented himself with
furnishing him with podorojna.
The podorojna was made out in the
name OF Nicholas Korpanoff, merchant,
living at Irkutsk. 1t authorized Nicho-
las Korpanoff to be accompanied, IL
requisite, by one or more persons, and,
moreover, 1t was by special notification
made available in the event of the Mus
coVite government forbidding natives
Of any Other countries to leave Russia.
The podoroina is simply permission
to take post horses, but Michael Stro-
goff was not to use ii unless he was
sure that by so doing he would not ex-
cite suspicion as to his mission-that Is
TO say, while he was on European ter
ritory. The consequence was that in
Siberia. while traversing the insurgent
provinces, he would have no power
over the relays either in the choice OF
horses in preference TO others or in de-
nanding conveyanees for his personal
use. Neither was Michael Strogod to
forget that he was no longer courier,
but plain merchant, Nicholas Korpa-
Aon, travelling from Moscow to Irkutsk,
and as such exposed to all the impedi-
ments of an ordinary journey.
To pass unknown more or less rapid
", but to pass somehow or other-such
were the directions he had received.
Thirty years previously the escort Of
a traveller of rank consisted Of not less
Man 200 mounted CossackS, 200 foot
soldiers, % Baskr horsemen, 800 cam
els, 400 horses, % wagons, 2 portable
boats and = pieces of cannon. All this
was requisite for journey in Siberia.
Michael Strogoff, however, had nei-
ther cannon nor horsemen nor foot sol
diers nor beasts OF burden. He would
travel in carriage or ON horseback
when he could, ON foot when he could
not.
There would be no difficulty in get
ting over the first 1900 versts, the dis
tance between Moscow and the Rus
sian frontier. Railroads, post carriages,
steamboats,, relays of horses, were at
every ones disposal and consequently
at the disposal Of the courier OF the
car.
Accordingly on the morning of the
18th of July, having dofled his uniform.
with a knapsack on his back, dressed
ta the simple Russian costume, tightly
Etting tunic, the traditional belt of the
moujik, wide trousers, gartered at the
knees, and high boots, Michael Stro-
goff arrived at the station in time for
the first train. lie carried no arms,
openly at least, but under his belt was
hidden revolver and in his pocket
ene of those large knives with which
Siberian hunter can so neatly disem-
bowel hear without injuring its pre-
Cious fur.
A crowd Of travellers had collected at
the Moscow station. The stations ON
me Russian railroads are much used as
places for meeting not only by those
who are about TO proceed by the train,
but by friends who come to see them
of. 1t indeed resembles from the va
Tiety Of characters assembled small
news exchange.
The train in which Michael took his
place was to set him down at Mini
Novgorod. There terminated at that
time the iron road which, uniting Mos
COW and st. Petersburg, will eventually
continue to the Russian frontier. 1t was
u journey of about 100 versts, and the
train would accomplish it in ten hours.
Once arrived at Mini Novgorod, Stro-
goff would, according TO circumstances,
either take the land route or the steam
er on the Nolga, so as to reach the Ural
mountains as soon rs possible.
Michael Srogoff ensconsed himself
in his corner like a worthy citizen
whose affairs go well with him and
who endeavors to XIII tlme'by sleep.
Nevertheless, as he was not alone in
his compartment, he slept with one eye
open and listened with both his ears.
In fact, the rumOr of the rising Of the
Kirghi2 hOrdes and of the Tartar inva-
sion had transpircd in some degree.
The occupants Of the carriage, whom
chance had made his travelling compan-
ions, discussed the subject, though with
that caution which has become habit
ual among Russians, who know that
spies are ever on the watch for any
reasonable expressions which may be
uttered.
At the vladimir station fresh tray
elers entered the train, Among others,
a young girl presented herself at the
door of the carriage occupied by Mi
chael Strogolf
A vacant place was found opposite
A. -