Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-03-15

made of those 5000 yersts that the
courier of the car should attain his
end? Only sixty yersts along the shore
of the lake as far as the mouth of the
river Angara, and eighty Versts from
the mouth of the Angara to Irkutsk--
in all a hundred and forty yersts, say
a three days journey for g strong and
vigorous man even on foot.
Some fifty people found themselves
assembled at the corner which forms
the southwest point Of the lake.
Nadia first perceived this group when
Michael Strogof, carrying her in his
arms, came out from the defile of the
mountains
.stopp' she cried. 'sThe Tartars! The
Tartarsr'
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
fight would be cut off for both.
But Nadia was soon treasured on
this head.
'sThey are RussiansY' 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 a little beach to
which was moored a raft.
The raft WSsg about to depart.
These Russians were fugitives of va
rious conditions whom 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 lands since the Invaders had taken
up position on both banks Of the Anga-,
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 a few hours later
he would have found the place desert
ed ..E
Now, he was welcomed and hidden
ITO go upon the raft at once, as it's slow
motion rendered it advisable to lose no
time in setting out. ""..'
. Their project made the hearE of Mi
'chael Strogof 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- 49, "
The plan of the fugitives was very
simple. A current of &he Baikal skirts
the higher shore of the lake as far as
the mouth of the Angara. It is this
current which they counted upon max
ing use of to early reach the outlet OF
Baiksl- From this point to Irkutsk the
rapid waters OF the river would draw
them along at a speed of ten or twelve
versts the hour. In a 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, a float of wood, like
those which generally float on the SSi-
berian rivers had been constructed.
A forest of pine, which lowered along
the shore, had furnished the floating
material. The trunks, dashed together
with willew branches, formed asphalt
form on which "a hundred persons
would have easily found room.
1t was On this raft that Michael Stro-
golf and Nadia were carried. The
young girl was once more herself. They
gave to her some nourishment, az also
to her companion. Then, lying down
on a bed of leaves, she Immediately fell
into sound sleep.
To those who interrogated him Mi
chael Strogof said nothing concerning
the events which had occurred at
Tomsk. He gave himself out as an in
habitant of KraSnoiarsk who had not |
been able to reach Irkutsk before the |
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 amnng
friends it was almost as important to |
preserve secrecy as to his mission as if !
among enemies.
One never knows what ears are lis |
;ening when the tongue speaks. The |
friend of today may he the foe of to-
morrow, and even the firm friend, If
ndiscreet, is more to The dreaded than T
he known enemy.
There WAS not, therefore, an instant
% lose. Besides, the frost became more
md more keen. The temperature DUR
ng the night fell far below zero. Some
pieces Of ice had already formed on the 4
urface Of the Baika!l Ifthe raft could ]
asily make its way on the lake, it
would not be the same !hetween the
'anks OF the Angara in case those
'ieces of ice should come to impede it's
curse. .,- g..
Therefore for all these reasoas it was
ecessary that tbe fngitiNes should
tart without delay.
At s O'Clock at night the mDorings
rere unfastened, and under the action
{ the current the raft followed the
Ike shore.
Long poles, handled by robust mu-
ks, sufficed to guide it. An old sailor
the Baikal had taken command Of