The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-05-03


said in low voice: Hello! 1t seems
that Colonel Ogareff and the rude per-
sonage of Ichim are one"
Then he added in his companions
ear:
Explain our affair. Blount. You VIII
do me service This Russian colonei
in the midst of Tartar camp disgusts
me, and although, thanks TO him, my
head is still on my shoulders. my eyes
would exhibit my feelings were l TO
attempt 10 look him in the face"
So saying, Alcide Jolivet assumed a
look Of complete and naughty indiHer-
ence.
Whether or not Ivan Ogaref perceiv-
ed that the prisoners attitude was in
sulting toward him, he did not let II
appear.
"Who are you, gentlemen?" he asked
in Russian in cold tone, but free from
Its rudeness.
1.-TWO correspondents of English and
French newspapers" replied Blount Ia
conically.
you have doubtless papers which
will establish your IDENTIFY"
Here are letters which accredit us
in Russia from the English and French
chancellor's Office"
Ivan Ogareff took the letters which
Blount held out to him and read them
attentively. Then said he:
"You ask the authorization to follow
our military operations in Siberia"
1--WE ask to be free; that is ALL" an
swered the English correspondent dry.
ly.
"You are so, gentlemen" answered
Ogareff, sand I shall be curious to read
your articles in The Daily Telegraph"
''Sir," replied Harry Blount, with the
most imperturbable GOODNESS, sit is six
pence a number, including postage"
And thereupon Blount returned to his
companion, who appeared to approve
completely Of his replies.
Ivan Ogareff, without frowning
mounted his horse and, going to the
head of his escort, soon disappeared il
a cloud Of dust
"Well, NJ. Jolivet, what do you think
VI OOiOhCl ivan OsSeilSlls SOhSi a. IL
chief of the Tartar troops?" asked
Blount.
81 think, my dear friend" replied
Alcide, smiling, "that the housch-begu
made a very graceful gesture when he
gave the order for our heads to be cu
off,"
Whatever was the motive which lee
OOoroff RI fbI1C in rpOorH n thf
two correspondents, they were free ant
could rove at their pleasure over the
scene of war. Their intention was mo-
to leave it. The sort of antipathy
which formerly they had entertained
for each other had given place to a sin
cere friendship. Circumstances having
brought them together, they no longer
thought of separating. The petty ques
tons of rivalry were forever extin
guished. Harry Blount could never
forget what he owed his companion
who, on the other hand, never tried tt
remind him of it. This friendship, too
assisted the reporting operations ant
was thus to the advantage of theil
readers.
"And now" asked Blount, "wha
shall we do with our liberty?"
flake advantage of it, of course,
replied Alcide, "and go quietly to Tomsl
to see what is going on there"
until the time-very near, l hope
when we may rejoin some Russian reg
iment."
''As you say, my dear Blount, it won
do to Tartarize ourselves too much
The best side is that of the most civi
people of central Asia will have every
thing to lose and absolutely nothing tt
gain from this invasion, while the Rus
slams will soon repulse them. 1t i.
only a matter of time"
The arrival of Ivan Ogareff, which
had given Jolivet and Blount their lib
erty, was to Michael Strogoff, on tn,
contrary, a serious danger. Should
chance bring the cars courier int
Ogareff's presence the latter could no
fail to recognize in him the traveller
whom he had so brutally treated at thu
Ichim posthouse, and, although Mi
chael had not replied to the insult al
he would have done under any othel
circumstances, attention would b,
drawn to him, and at once the accom-
plishment of his plans would be rem
dered more difficult.
This was the unpleasant side of tn,
business. A favorable result of his
arrival, however was the order which
was given to raise the camp that very
day and remove the headquarters t.
Tomsk
This was the accomplishment of Mi
chaePs most fervent desire. His inten
ton, as has been said. was to reacl
Tomsk concealed among the other pris
oners-that is to say, without any risl
of falling into the hands Of the scouts
who swarmed about the approaches tt
this important town. However, in con
sequence of the arrival of Ivan Ogaref
and in the fear of being recognized by
him, he questioned whether it would
not be better to give up his first pla1
and attempt to escape during the jour
ney.
Michael would no doubt have kept t.