Morris tribune., 1902-02-15

I'D
the right bank, where he
fell exhausted amsag the bushes.
When he recovered his senses, he
found himself in the cabin of mujik,
who had picked him up and cared for
him and to whom he owed his life.
For how long time had he been the
guest Of this brave Siberian? He could
not guess, but when he opened his eyes
he saw the handsome bearded face
bending over him and regarding him
with plying eyes. He was about to
ask where he was when the mujik, an
dcipating hiR, said:
"Do not speak, little father, do not
speak. Thou art still too weak. I will
tell thee where thou art and everything
that has passed since brought thee to
my cabin"
And the mujik related to Michael
Strogoff the different incidents of the
struggle which he had Witnessed-the
attack upon the ferry by the. Tartar
boats, the pillage Of the tarantass and
the massacre Of the boatmen.
But Michael Strogoff listened no Ion
ger, and, slipping his hand under his
garment, he felt the imperial letter still
secured in his breast. g..
He breath a sigh f>relief. But that
was not all.
"a young girl accompanied me-" said
he.
"They have not killed her" replied
the mujik, anticipating the anxiety
which he read in the eyes of his guest.
''They 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 Strogoff was unable to 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.
He remembered the errand which ne
had undertaken. Indeed never by day
or night was his emperOr's mission for
even a moment absent from his mind
Not the presence of the greatest dan
ger, the fortunes of hunger and thirst,
GAS " cal VI SACcSoiSC ldLlS hOG
even all combined could cause him to
forget that momentous matter was
intrusted to his courage, his zeal, his
fidelity and his endurance. Michael
Strogoff was worthy of this trust.
Where am II" asked he
Upon the right bank of the Irish,
only five versts from Omsk," replied
the mujik
What wound can 1 have received
which could have thus Frustrated me?
1t was not a gunshot wound"
"No; a lance thrust upon the head,
now healing" replied the mujik. aft
er a few days rest, little father, thou
wilt be able to proceed. Thou didst fall
into the river but the Tartars neither |
touched nor searched thee, and thy |
purse is still in thy pocket"
Michael Strogoff gripped the mujiks |
hand. Then, recovering himself with a |
sudden effort, Friend" said he, chow
long have been in thy hut?'
''Three days"
''Three days lostw
''Three days hast thou lain unco
scious."
Hast thou horse to sell me?"
'Thou wishest to go?'
"At once"
81 have neither horse nor carriage, !
little father. Where the Tartar has
passed there remains nothing!'
''Well, l will go on foot to Omsk to
find a horse" -.
"a few more hours Of rest and thou
wilt be in a better condition to pursue
thy Journey"
"Not an houry'
"Come, now," replied the mujik, rec
ognizing the fact that it was useless
to struggle against the will of his guest
Il will guide thee myself. Besides"
he added, ''the Russians are still in
great force at Omsk, and thou couldsts
perhaps pass unperceiyed."
Friend" replied Michael, "heaven
reward thee for all thou hast done for
me-" .-.E ...r- " /
Reward! Only fools expect reward
on EARTH" replied the mujik.
MichaGl Strogoff went out of the hut.
When he tried to walk, he was seized
with such faintness that without the
assistance of the mujik lie would have
fallen, but the fresh air quickly re-
vived him. He then felt the wound in I
his head the violence of which his fur
cap had lessened. With the energy
which he possessed he was not man
to succumb under such a trife Before
his eyes lay single goal-far distant
Irkutsk. He must reach it! But he
must pass through Omsk without stop, {
ping there J
God protect my mother and Nadia.' Y
he murmured II have no longer the
right to think of Them
Michael Strogof and the mujik sooD !:
arrived in the mercantile quarter Of the /
lower town, and, although under miifs {
tary occupation they entered it with, !
out difficulty. The Surrounding earth
work had been destroyed in many J
places, and there were the breaches S
through which the marauders who fol.
lowed the armies of Feofar-ka hn had g