The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-04-26
CONTINUED
CHAPTER VIII.


fell exhausted among the bushes.
When he recovered his senses, he
found himself in the cabin of a 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 ovcr him and regarding him
with pityir~ eyes. He was about to
ask where he was when the mujik, an
ticipating him, said:
"Do not speak, little father. do not
speak. Thou art still too weak. l 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 lon
ger, and, slipping his hand under his
garment. he felt the imperial letter still
secured in his breast.
He breathed a sigh of 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 of in their
hna nd I, 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 its beating.
But, Notwithstanding these many
trials, the sentiment of duty mastered
his whole soul.
He remembered the errand which he
had undertaken. Indeed never by day
or night was his emperor's mission for
even n moment absent from his mind
Not the presence of the greatest dan
ger, the fortunes of hunger and thirst
the WEAKNESS of excessive fatigue, not
even all combined could cause him to
forget that u momentous matter was
Entrusted to his courage, his zeal, his
fidelity and his endurance Michael
Strogoff was worthy of this trust.
"Where am 2" asked he.
upon the right bank of the Irish,
only five versts from Omsk," replied
the mujik.
'What wound can l have received
which could have thus Frustrated me
1t was not a gunshot wound?'
NO; lance thrust upon the head,
now healing" replied the mujilS. 'Aft-
er few days rest, little father, thou
wilt be able to proceed. Thou dldst 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
sudden effort, Friend" said he, show
long have been in thy hut?'
'Three days"
Three days lostp'
"Three days hast thou lain uncon-
scious."
Hast thou horse to sell me?''
S'Thou wishest to go?''
''At once"
III have neither horse nor carriage,
little father. Where the Tartar has
passed there remains nothlngW
"Well, l will go on foot to Omsk to
find horse"
"A few more hours of rest and thou
wilt be In a better condition to pursue
thy, journey"
mot an hourw
"Come. now" replied the mujik, rec
'ognizing the fact that 1t was useless
to struggle against the will Of his guest,
II will guide thee myself Besides"
he added. ''the Russians are still In
great force at Omsk, and thou couldst
perhaps pass unpercelved"
"Friend," replied Michael, 'heaven
reward thee for all thou hast done for
me-"
Reward! Only fools expect reward
on EARTH" replied the mujik.
Michael Strogoff went out Of the hut
When he tried to walk, he was seized
with such faintness that without the
assistance of the mujik he would have
fallen, but the fresh air quickly re-
vived him. He then felt the wound in
his head. the violence of which his fur
cap had lessened. With the energy
which he possessed he was not man
70 succumb under such a trif1e Before
his eyes lay a single goai-far distant
-rkutsk. He must reach It! But he
must pass through Omsk without stop
)ing there. @
"God protect nv mother and Nadiaw
lie murmured. 81 have no longer the
light to think of themp'
Michael Strogoff and the mujik soon ,
rived In the mercantile quarter of the
over town. and, although under mill
airy occupation, they entered it with :
ut difficulty. The surrounding earth !
York had been destroyed In many
laces, and there were the breaches =
trough which the marauders who fol- !