Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-02-08
BY Jules Verne

Il
men were devoted to their mission il
the world that they delighted to throw
themselves in the track of the most un
expected intelligence; that nothing ter
rified or discouraged them from sue
ceeding; that they possessed the i'm
/ perturbable sang froid and the genuine
intrepidity of men of their calling. En-
i thusiastic jockeys in this steepleehase
this hunt after information, they leap
ed hedges, crossed rivers, sprang over
i fences with the ardor of pure blooded
] racers who will run a good first" or
i die.
Their Journals did not restrict them
| with regard to money, the surest, the
most rapid, the most perfect element
of information known to this day It
must also be added, to their honor, that
/ neither the one nor the other ever look
| ed or listened at the walls of private
life and that they only exercised their
! vocation when political or social inter-
ests were at stake. In a word, they
| made what has been for some years
called "the great political and military
| reports"
1t will be seen in following them that
| they had generally an Independent
mode of viewing events and, above all,
their consequences, each having his
own way of observing and appreciat-
ing. The object to be obtained being
of adequate value, they never failed to
expend the money required.
/. The French correspondent was NAM
ed Alcide Jolivet. Harry Blount was
the name of the Englishman. The dis
similarity Of their characters, added to
certain amount of jealousy, which
generally exists between rivals in the
same calling, might have rendered
them but little sympathetic. However,
they did not avoid one another, but en-
deayored rather to exchange with each
other the news Of the day. They were
two sportsmen, after all, hunting on
the same grounds, in the same pre-
serve. That which one missed might
be adyantageously% secured by the 9th
err, and it was to their interest to meet
and converse together.
From these two correspondents Mi
chael learned that the town itself was
menaced by the Tartar vanguard, and
two days before the authorities had
been obliged to retreat to Tobolsk.
There was not an officer nor a soldier
left in Ichim.
On arriving at the relay Michael Stro-
goff Immediately asked for horses.
He had been fortunate in distancing
the berlin.
Only three horses were in fit state
to be Immediately harnessed. The 9TH
efs had just come in worn out from s.
long stage.
The postmaster gave the order to
put to-.
AS the two correspondents intended
to- stop at Ichim, they had not to trou-
BILE themselves to find means of trans
port and therefore had their carriage
put away. 20 !. eev4z.-t ss.s.s-5 ! ...5 ~. !
In ten minutes Michael was told that
his tarantass was ready to start
Good" said he.
Then, turning to. the two reporters, |
he said: ~ ~ o. 50 W - y
e: swell, gentlemen, since you remain
at 1chim, l wish, you success in the
prosecution of your mission"
what, Mr.. Korpanoff." said Alcide
Jolivet, "shall you not stop even for an
hour at Ichim 2" .#
''No, sir, and also wish to leave the |
posthouse before the arrival of a berlin |
which / distanced."
care you afraid that the traveller will |
dispute the horses with you"
81 particularly wish to avoid any diff
fculty."
cit is possible that we shall meet you
again in few days at Omsk," added
Blount
ct is possible" answered Michael,
''since 1 am going straight there"
'Well, wish you safe journey, Mr..
said Alcide
Almost Immediately the sound of a
carriage was heard outside, the door
was flung open and man appeared.
s It was the traveller of the berlin, a
military looking man, apparently about
forty years of age, tall, robust In fig
nre broad shouldered, with a strongly
set head and thick mustache meeting
red whiskers. He wore plain uni
form. A cavalry saber hung at his
side, and in his hand he held a short
handled whip.
Horses" he demanded, with the air
If a man accustomed to command. :
81 have no more disposable horses"
the postmaster, bowling.
II must have some this moment
1T is impossible. Z
What are those horses which have
lust been harnessed to the tarantass /
Jaw at the door?'
They belong to this traveller an.
'wered the postmaster, pointing to Mi
.hael Strogof. d
Take them outv' said the traveller
n a tone which admitted of no reply.
Michael then advanced.
These horses are engaged BY me-"
lie said.
what does that matter? must
ave them. Come, be quick; have no