Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-01-14

tnlS Journey Oh Tue idke.
Nadia had remained In
profound stupor.
&xT$ENaI Sleep had only over
&HS&SI powered Michael Strogo6
at long intervals, and
still his thoughts were ever watching
over her.
At daybreak the raft, retarded by q
somewhat strong breeze which was
blowing against the action Of the cur
rent. was still forty versts from the
mouth Of the Angara. Most likely they
would not be able to reach it before 8
or 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
This was not an Inconvenience; rath-
er the contrary. for the fugitives would
then descend the river during the night,
and the darkness would favor their
arrival at Irkutsk.
At o'clock in the afternoon the
mouth Of the Angara was signaled by
the old mariner between the high gran
ite rocks Of the coast. One could per
ceive on the right bank the little port
Of Livenitchnaia, its church, Its few
houses built on the steep.
But there was a grave circumstance.
The first floating ice that had come
from the east was already forming be-
tween the banks of the Angara and
hence descending toward Irkutsk.
However, their number could not as
yet be great enough to obstruct the
river nor the cold severe enough to
unite them into one mass.
The raft arrived at the little port and
stopped there for short time. The
old mariner had decided to put into
port for an hour in order to make some
Indispensable repairs. The trunks, hav-
ing become loose. threatened to sepa-
rate from one another. and 1t was Of
great importance to rebind them more
firmly together that they might resist
the current Of the Angara, which Is
very rapid.
The old sailor did not, therefore, ex-
pect any more fugitives at the port OF
Livenitchnaia, and yet at the moment
the raft was leaving the shore two
men. coming out Of deserted house,
ran with great haste to the bank.
Nadia, sitting at the back part OF the
raft, looked Mt them in listless man.
ner.
A cry was about to escape her She
seized the hand Of Michael Strogoh,
who at that moment raised his head.
"What Is the matter with you, Ma
diaT" he asked.
"Our two fellow travellers. Michael
that Frenchman and that Englishman
whom we met In the defiles Of the Ural
mountains"
"Yes."
Michael Strogoff shuddered. for the
strict incognto from which he did not
wish to depart was in danger Of being
unveiled.
And in reality 1t was not any longer
Nicholas Korpanoff whom Alcide Joli.
vet and Harry Blount were about to
see In him now. but the true Michael
Strogoff, the courier Of the czar. The
journalists had already met him twice
since their separation at the posthouse
Of Ichim-the first time at the camp Of
Zabedeiro. when he cut with the blow Of
the knout the face Of Ivan Ogareff, the
second time at Tomsk. when he was
condemned by the emir. They knew
therefore what to think Of him and his
true position as courier Of the car.
Michael Strogof quickly took up his
part.
NADIA" said he, when that French
man and Englishman shall come on
board beg them to come up to me-"
They were indeed Harry Blount and
Alcide Jolivet, whom not chance. but
the force Of events, had conducted to
the port of Livenitchnaia. just as they
had led Michael Strogoff.
The reader knows that after having
been present at the triumphal entry OF
the Tartars into Tomsk they had gone
away before the savage execution
which terminated the feast. They had
no doubt but their old fellow traveller
had been put to death. and they were
quite unaware that he had been only
made blind by order Of the emir.
Then. having procured horses, they
had abandoned Tomsk that very night.
with the fixed intention of dating hence
forth their articles from Russian camps
Of eastern Siberia.
Alcide Jollvet and Harry Blount set
out for Irkutsk by forced marches.
They had great hopes Of outstripping
Feofar.k Khan. and most certainly they
would have done 80 had not a third col
umn Unexpectedly made its appear
ance, having come from the southern
provinces Of the Yenisei. Like Michael
strogofr. they were cut of before hav-
ing even reached the Dinka. Hence
they were again compelled to 60 down
as far as Lake Baikal.
When they arrived at Livenitchnaia,
the port was already deserted. On any
other side 1t was impossible for them
| to enter Irkutsk. which was invested
| by the Tartar armies.
They had been there for three days.
and very much embarrassed. when the
raft arrived.
The design Of the fugitives was com
municated to them. There was Ger
tainly some chance Of their being able
to pass during the night and penetrate
into Irkutsk. They therefore resolved
to make the attempt.
Alcide Jollvet at once placed himself
in communication with the old mariner
and asked passage for his companion
and himself. offering to pay the fare he
fixed. whatever it might be.
Here one does not pay anything
gravely answered the old mariner
zone risks his life: that is all"
The two journalists embarked, and
Nadia saw them take their place In the
fore part Of the raft.
Harry Blount was always the colo
Engllshman who had scarcely address
ed word to ber during the whole jour
ney across the Ural mountains. Alcldt
Jolivet seemed little more grave thar
usual. and one would acknowledge tha
his gravity was justified by that Of thu
circumstances.
Alcide Jolivet was then Installed OF
the fore part of the raft. when he fel
a hand rest on his arm. He turned
round and recognized Nadia. the sistel
of him who was no longer Nicholai
Korpan0f. but Michael StrogOn, cou
rier Of the czar. A cry of surprise wal
about to escape him when he saw th'
1 young girl place her finger on her lips.
: L I,<,---. ..i Il Aa tlla "a hin,