Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-17

W posting house 30 prompt
@k- ". The orders Of Ivan
y6660AV Ogareff had been imme-
xNS diately transmitted to all
the approaches OF the
city and q full description OF Michaei
sent TO all the various commandants, IN
order to prevent his departure from
Omsk. But he had already passed
through one Of the breaches in the for
tifications. His horse was galloping
over the steppe, and, not having been
Immediately pursued, the chances OF
escape were in his favor.
It was on the 10Th Of July, at O'Clock
In the evening. that Michael Strogon
had left Omsk. This town Is situated
about half way between Moscow ana
Irkutsk, where 1t was necessary thai
he should arrive within ten days II he
wished to get ahead Of the Tartar col
umns. 1t was evident that the un'
lucky chance which had brought him
into the presence Of his mother had De
trayed his incognito. Ivan Ogaref was
no longer ignorant Of the fact that
courier of the czar had just passed
Omsk, taking the direction Of 1rkutsk.
The dispatches which this courier bore
must have been of immense impor'
tance. Michael Strogoff knew, there
fore, that every effort would be made
to capture him.
But what he did not know and could
not know was that Maria Strogoh was
in the hands Of Ivan Ogareff and that
she was about to atone. perhaps with
her Efc, for that natural exhibition OF
her feelings which she had been unable
10 restrain when she suddenly found
herself in the presence of her son. And
II was fortunate that he was Ignorant
Of it. Could he have withstood this
fresh trial?
Michael Strogoff urged on his. horse,
imbuing linn with all his own feverish
impatiencc, requiring Of him one thing
only-namely. to bear him rapidly TO
the next posting house, where he could
be exchanged for q quicker conveyance
At midnight he had cleared seventy
yersts aud halted at the station OF hou'
likovo. But there, as he feared, ne
found neither horses nor carriages
Several Tartar detachments had pass
ed along the highway Of the steppe
Everything had been stolen or requisi
toned both in the villages and In the
posting houses. 1t was with difficulty
that Michael Strogoff was even able to
obtain some refreshment for his horse
and himself.
1t was of great importance therefore
to spare his horse. for he could not tell
when or how he might be able to re-
place 1t. Desiring, however, to put the
greatest possible distance between him
self and the horsemen whom Ivan Oga
ref had no doubt dispatched in pursuit.
he resolved to push on. After one
hours rest he resumed his course acros,
the steppe.
And on July 80. at 4 p. m. Michael
Strogofr. needless of fatigue. arrived d
Elamsk.
There he was forced to give a nighti
rest to his horse. The courageous
oeast could not have continued thai
Journey any longer.
At Elamsk there was no means o.
transportation for the same reasons ~
In the burghs already passed by-car
riages and horses were gone.
Elamsk. q small town the Tartar
had not visited yet, was almost com
pletely depopulated. for It was verJ
easy to invade Il from the south ana
almost impossible to succor It from the
north. So relay Of post, police station
government building. all were aban'
doned by governmental order. and ON
one side the functionaries, on the other
the inhabitants. had gone to Kamsk, In
the center of the Baraba.
Michael strogof was obliged to pass
the night at Elamsk to permit his horse
to rest ut least twelve hours. He 70
membered the instructions given him
at Moscow to cross Siberia unknown,
reach Irkutsk at all hazards, but also
to not sacrifice success to the swlftness
of his passage. Consequently he was
forced to spare the only means OF trav'
el left him.
On the morrow Michael Strogoh left
Elamsk, and five days later, on the 9th
Of August, twenty-one days since start
ing, he found himself 1900 versts yet
distant from Irkutsk.
Michael Strogoff was rapidly nearing
Kalyyan when distant detonations
reached his ears.
He stopped and distinctly heard the
dull, heavy reports which shook the
air, mingled with sharper and shrillei
sounds, the cause Of which he well
knew.
He was only half mile from Kaly'
van when long jet Of fame flashed
betwixt the houses Of the city, and the
spire of church crumbled down In the
middle Of q torrent of embers and fre.
At that moment the detonations were
very violent Soon the flames stretched
forth on the left Of the city. The fire
had devoured q whole quarter Of Kaly
van.
Michael Strogoff was running across
the plain. trying to reach the cover Of
some trees scattered here and there
when a detachment of Tartar cavalry
appeared on the right.
Michael strogoff could no longer g
In that direction. The horsemen ad
vanced rapidly toward the city, and \
was difficult for him to escape. Sud
denly at the corner Of thicket he saw
q house which he might perhaps reacl
unperceived.
To run, to hide himself, to ask ant
to take there. II need be. something II
renew his strength. for he was exhaust
ed with fatigue and hunger. was MI
chael Strogoff's only resource. He iet
then to this shelter, and. drawing near
he perceived that 1t was q telegraph
station. Two wires were going eas
and west, and a third was stretched to
ward Kalyvan.
One would suppose that under tn
circumstances that station would hav
been abandoned, but as 1t was Michae
Strogon could find there refuge. wal
for the night II need be to travel aga1l
across the steppe which was searches
by the Tartar plckets.
Michael Strogo6 hurried toward tn
| door of that house and opened 1t hast
ly. A single person was In the rooI
Il ---Lo.o <h<, dicno fohoa xvoro written. III