Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-04

Wassili Feodor. with his little troop.
had crushed the first assailants who
had presented themselves at the Bol
chaia gate with the expectation OF find
ing it open.
At the same time that the Tartars
were driven back the besieged had rem
dered themselves masters Of the fire.
Before daybreak the troops OF Feofar'
Khan had returned to their encanp-
ments, leaving q good number Of dead
under the ramparts.
Among the dead was the gypsy San
garre, who had tried In vain to reJoin
Ivan Ogareff.
For two days the besiegers attempt
ed no new assault. They were discour-
aged by the death Of Ivan Osaref.
That man was the soul Of the invasion,
and he alone. by his long continued
plots. had sufficient influence over the
khans and their hordes to be able to
lead them to the conquest Of Asiatic
Russia.
Meanwhile the defenders Of Irkutsk
had held themselves on their guard,
and the investment continued, but on
the 7th Of October from the first streaks
Of day the boom Of cannon resounded
on the heights around Irkutsk. 1t was
the relieving army which had arrived
under the orders Of General kissely,
who thus signaled his presence to the
grand duke.
The Tartars did not stay any longer
They did not wish to risk battle un-
der the walls Of Irkutsk. The camp OF
the Angara was Immediately raised.
Irkutsk was at last delivered.
With the first Russian soldiers two
friends Of Michael Strogoff had entered
the town. They were the inseparable
Blouut and Jolvet. By gaining the
right bank Of the Angara along the
barrier Of ice they and the other fugi-
tives had been able to escape before
the flames Of the Angara had reached
the raft. This had been put down by
Alcide Jolivet in his notebook and IN
this manner, WAS near ending like
lemon in bowl Of punch"
Their joy was great to once more ma
Nadia and Michael Strogotf safe and
sound, especially when they learned
that their brave companion was not
blind, statement which led Harry
Blount to jot down this observation:
"a redhot iron Is perhaps insufficient
TO destroy the sensib!lity Of the optic
nerve. To be modified"
Afterward the two correspondents,
we'll installed in Irkutsk, occupied
themselves In putting in order the I'M
pressions of their journey. From thence
two interesting chronicles Of the Tartar
invasion were sent to London and FAR
is, which, strange to say, only contra
dicted each other on points OF less mo-
ment.
For the rest the campaign was bad
for the emir and his allies. That inya-
sion. useless. as are all those that at
tack colossal Russia. was most fatal 10
them. They soon found themselves cut
off by the troops Of the czar, who re-
look successfully all the conquered
towns. Besides. the winter was terri
BILE. and of those hordes, decimated by
the cold. only small number returned
to the steppes of Tartary. The route
from Irkutsk to the Ural mountains
was free.
The grand duke was in haste to re-
turn to Moscow, but he delayed his
tourney in order to assist at touching
ceremony which took place some days
after the entry Of the Russian troops
Michael Strogoff had sought out Ma
dia and In the presence Of her father
had said 10 her, Nadia, my sister still,
when you left Riga to come TO lrkutsk
had you no other regret but that OF
leaving behind you your mother"
NO" replied Nadia; none what
ever"
$50 that no part Of your heart has
remained down there"
None, brother.
"Then, Nadia," said Michael Strogon'
IL do not believe but that God In bring
ing US together. in allowing us to pass
through these great trials together, has
wished US to be united forever
"Ahw said Nadia as she fell into the
arms Of Michael Strogoff. and. turning
toward Wassili Feodor My father.
she said, blushing deeply.
NADIA" said Wassill Feodor, my
10Y will be to call you both my chill
drenw
The marriage ceremony took place IN
the cathedral Of Irkutsk. 1t was very
simple in its preparations, but very
beautiful in the concourse OF the mill
tary and civil population, which thus
wished to show its gratitude to the
young couple. whose strange Journey
had now become legendary.
Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount OF
course assisted at the marriage. or