The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-04-12

between them, assure a certain euuilib-
rum over the jolting, rough roads. A
splash board protects the travellers from
the mud. and a strong leather hood
which may be pulled quite over the oc-
cupiers, shelters them from the great
heat and violent storms Of the summer
1t was not without careful search
that Michael managed to discover this
tarantass, and there was probably not
a second to be found in all the town of
Perm. Notwithstanding that, he bag.
gled long about the price, for FORMS
sake, to act up to his part as Nicholas
Korpanoff. plain merchant of IT.
kutsk.
Nadia had followed her companion in
his search after suitable vehicle. AL
though the object of each was differ
ent, both were equally anxious to ar
rive and consequently to start. One
would have said the same will animat-
ed them both.
Sister" said Michael, IT wish l
could have found a more comfortable
conveyance for you"
DO you say that to me, brother,
when l would have gone on foot, if
need were, to rejoin my father?'
Il do not doubt your courage, Nadia,
Ibut there are physical fatigues which q
woman may be unable to endure"
Il shall endure them, whatever they
may be- replied the girl 'If you ever
hear complaint from my lips, you
may leave me in the road and continue
your journey alone"
Half an hour later on, the podoroina
being presented by Michael, three post
horses were harnessed to the tarantass.
These animals, covered with long hairo
were very like long legged bears. They
were small, but spirited, being of Sibe-
rian breed.
They were harnessed thus: One, the
largest, was secured between two long
SHAFTS on whose farther end was a
hoop called douga, carrying tassels
and bells. The two others were sim
ply fastened by ropes to the steps of the
tarantass. This was the complete har-
ness, with mere strings for reins.
Neither Michael Strogoff nor the
young Livonian girl had any baggage.
The rapidity with which one wished to
make the journey and the more than
modest resources of the other prevent.
ed them from embarrassing themselves
with packages. 1t was a fortunate
thing under the circumstances, for the
tarantass could not have carried both
baggage and travellers. 1t was only
made for two persons, without count
ing the driver, who kept his equilibri-
um on his narrow seat In q marvellous
manner.
line driver Is changed at every relay.
Ihe man who drove the tarantass dur
Ing the first stage was, like his horses,
Q siberian and no less shaggy than
tney-long hair, cut square on the fore
mead, hat with turned up rim, red belt,
coat with crossed facings and buttons
stamped with the imperial cipher. The
urlver on coming up with his team
threw an inquisitive glance at the pas
sengers OF the tarantass. No luggage7
AND had there been, where In the
world could he have slowed it? Rath-
er shabby in appearance too. He look
NOASSAhPtuOuS.
Crows" said he, without caring
~hether he was overheard or not;
crows at copecks a verst!"
NO; eagles" said Michael, who I'M
lerstood the slang perfectly; eagles,
10 you hear, at copecks verst and
lip besides"
ne was answered by merry crack
II the whip.
In the language of the Russian pos
lilons the "crow" is the stingy or poor
raveler who at the posthouses only
'ays or 3 copecks a verst for the
lorses. The eagle" is the traveller
VINO does not mind expense, to say
lotr'ng OF liberal tips. Therefore the
row could not claim to fly as rapidly
IS the imperial bird.
Nadia and Michael Immediately took
nelr places in the tarantass. A small
tore OF provisions was put in the box.
case at any time they were delayed
reaching the posthouses, which are
cry comfortably provided under d.
ecuon of the state. The hood was
uiieo up, as it was insupportably hot,
no at IL O'Clock the tarantass, drawn
y Its three horses, left Perm in
loud Of dust,
fContinued nsvt s.tusd.v1