The Iola register., 1902-02-07

luOSt VI II COIISt III u NOhihs nv w
tim, living in this clay mold, which he
is unable to break, can do nothing but
lmplore death, which is too slow In
coming!
1t was there the Tartars had inferred
their prisoner for three days. For
three days Nicholas had been waiting
for snccor, which had come at last too
late.
The vultures had perceived that head
exposed to the suns rays, and for some
hours the dog defended his master
against these ferocious birds.
Michael Strogoff dug the earth with
his caspknife to release it from that
imprisoned body.
The eyes of Nicholas, closed until
then, once more opened themselves.
He recognized Michael and Nadia.
Then he murmured:
"Adieu. friends. am happy to have
seen you once more. Pray for me-"
And these words were the last.
Michael Strogoff continued to dig the
soil, which, being strongly trodden
down. had the hardness of rock, and
at length he succeeded in drawing from
1t the body of the unfortunate man.
He listened If his heart still beat. 1t
beat no more!
He wished then to bury it, that 1t
might not remain exposed on the
steppe, and that hole in which Nicho-
las had been buried alive he enlarged
and deepened in such a manner as to
be able to lay him there when dead.
The faithful Serko was placed near his
master.
At that moment a great noise was
heard on the road about half n verst
away.
Michael Strogoff listened
BY the noise he knew at once that n
detachment of cavalry was advancing
toward the Dinka.
nadia. Nadlaw said he in low
voice.
At his voice Nadia, who had remained
in prayer rose up.
"You see them! You see themw he
said to her.
"The Tartars" she murmured.
| 1t was indeed the advance guard of
the emir which was deflins quickly on
the road to lrkutsk.
"They shall not prevent me from in
terring him." said Michael Strogoff.
And he continued his work.
Soon Nicholas body, with his hands
joined on his breast, was laid in the
tomb. Michael Strogoff and Nadia,
kneelng down. prayed the last time for
that poor being, good and inoffensive
who through devotedness to them had
lost his life.
"And now," said Michael. throwing
back the earth, ''the wolves of the
steppe shall not devour him."
Then his hand stretched in menace
toward the troop of horsemen which
was passing.
"On our journey. Nadlaw said he.
Michael Strogoff could no longer fol
low the hghroad, now occupied by the
Tartars. He must throw himself across
the steppe and turn Irkutsk. In doing
this they would have to cross the Din
ka and thus would be relieved from one
great anxiety.
Nadia could no longer drag herself
along. but she could see for him. HC
lOOk lltI III Ills Ills anu 0Al uNh lhAN
the southwest of the province.
There remained for them to trave
more than 200 versts. How could i
be done? How could food be found oil
the journey?
BY what superhuman energy woulC
they succeed in passing the first slopes
of the Sayensk mountains? Neither
Nadia nor he could tell.
And yet twelve days after, at 6 O'Clock
in the evening. an immense sheet OF
water rolled at the feet of Michael Stro
goff.
1t was Lake Baikal.
Lake Baikal is situated at heigh
of LOO feet above the level of the sea
It's length it about 900 versts, it
unknown. Nine. de Bourboulon tell
us that the sailors say that it wishes t,
be called "Mrs. Sea-" If one calls /
"Mr. Lake" it at once is in rage
Anyhow, according to Russian legend
Russian is never drowned there.
Tnls immense basin OF fresh water
fed by more than 300 rivers, is embos
omed IN magnificent circle or Vol
canic mountains. 1t has no other out
let but the Angara, which, after hay
ing passed Irkutsk, throws itself int
the Yenisei a little above the town o
Yenisesk.
The first days of October had come
; The sun now sank below the horizon a
O'clock, and the long nights allowe,
the temperature to fall to zero in tn
thermometers. The first snow, whic
was to remain until summer, alread
whitened the neighboring heights. Dul
ing the Siberian winter this interio
sea, with its ice several feet thick,
; dotted with trains of couriers and cara
vans.
1t was at the southwest point of tn
lake that Michael Strogoff had just al
rived, carrying Nadia, whose Who'll
life, so to speak, was concentrated i