Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-01-07

assembled at the corner which FERNS
the southwest point Of the lake.
Nadia first perceived this group when
Michael Strogoff, carrying her In his
arms, came out from the defile Of the
mountains.
"Stop!' she cried. "The Tartars! The
Tartarsp'
The young girl feared for an instant
that it was nothing else than a de-
tachment of Tartars sent to scour the
shores Of Lake Baikal, in which case
flight would be cut of for both.
But Nadia was soon reassured on
this head.
"They are Russiansw she cried.
And after this last effort her eyelids
closed, and her head fell down on the
breast of Michael Strogoff.
But they had been perceived, and
some Of those Russians, running up to
them, led the blind man and the young
girl to the border Of little beach to
which was moored raft.
The raft was about to depart.
These Russians were fugitives OF va
nous conditions whom a common in
terest had gathered together on this
point of the Baikal.
Driven back by the Tartar scouts,
they sought to take refuge in Irkutsk,
and, not being able to reach that place
by land, since the invaders had taken
,,n ,1o,itiap nn both hanEc nf tho Anpo-
ra, they hoped to gain it by descending
the river which runs through the town.
The fugitives had their raft fully pre-
pared for the voyage, and had Michael
Strogoff been even few hours later
he would have found the place desert.
ed.
Now, he was welcomed and hidden
to go upon the raft at once, as its slow
motion rendered it advisable to lose no
time in setting out.
Their project made the heart of MI.
chael Strogoff leap for joy. He could
now play his last chance. But he had
the strength to dissemble, wishing to
preserve more strictly than ever his
incognita.
The plan of the fugitives was very
simple. A current Of the Baikal skirts
the higher shore Of the lake as far as
the mouth Of the Angara. 1t Is this
current which they counted upon max.
ing use of to early reach the outlet OF
Baikal. From this point to Irkutsk the
rapid waters Of the river would draw
them along at speed of ten or twelve
versts the hour. In day and half
they ought to be in sight Of the town.
Every means for embarking was
wanting at that place.
They had to supply this want. A
raft, or, rather, float Of wood, like
those which generally float on the ST.
berian rivers had been constructed.
A forest of pine which lowered along
the shore, had furnished the floating
material. The trunks, lashed together
with willow branches, formed plat.
form on which n hundred persons
would have easily found room.
It was on this raft that Michael Stro-
goff and Nadia were carried. The
young girl was once more herself. They
gave to her some nourishment, as also
to her companion. Then, lying down
on bed of leaves, she Immediately fell
into sound sleep.
To those who interrogated him MI.
chael StrOgoff said nothing concerning
the events which had occurred Mt
Tomsk. He gave himself out as an in.
habitant of Krasnoiarsk who had nO
been able to reach Irkutsk before tn.
troops of the emir had arrived on the
left bank of the Dinka, and he added
that very likely the main body Of the
Tartars had taken up their position be-
fore the capital Of Siberia. Even among
friends 1t was almost as important to
preserve secrecy as to his mission as II
among enemies.
One never knows what ears are lis.
tening when the tongue speaks. The
friend Of today may be the foe Of to-
morrow, and even the firm friend, II
indiscreet, Is more to be dreaded than
the known enemy.
There was not, therefore, an instant
to lose. Besides, the frost became more
and more keen. The temperature dur
ing the night fell far below zero. Some
pieces of ice had already formed on the
surface Of the Baikal. If the raft could
easily make its way on the lake, II
would not be the same between the
banks Of the Angara In case those
pieces Of ice should come to impede Its
course.
Therefore for all these reasons 1t was
necessary that the fugtives should
start without delay.
At S o'clock at night the moorings
were unfastened, and under the action
Of the current the raft followed the
lake shore.
Long poles, handled by robust mu.
jiks, sufficed to guide it. An old sailor
Of the Baikal had taken command OF
the raft. He was man Of sixty, all
tanned with the breezes Of the lake. A
white and very thick beard descended
on his breast. He had on his head
fur hat. OF grave and austere ap-
pearance, his wide and long riding coat,
drawn tight at the belt, hanging down
to his heels, this silent old man, sit.
ting at the stern, commanded by ges'
ture and did not speak ten words In
ten hours.
Besides, the whole management con.
sisted In keeping the raft in the cur
rent which ran along the shore, with
out allowing it to 60 far out into the
deep water
Although the journey was not with
out danger. the voyagers might reason
ably hope to safely accomplish 1t.
At any rate they had become accus-
toned to both hardship and danger.
No fate could be worse than the one
that awaited them IL they remained.
So despite the past and present they
were many hopeful almost happy
hearts on board that rude craft that
floated along SO la2ily.
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