The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-01-22


That man was tie soul Of the invasion,
and he alone. Oy his long continued
plots, had sufficient influence o7er 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 hisseiy,
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 Strogof had entered
the town. They were the inseparable
Blount and Jolivet. 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 punchT'
Their joy was great to once more IND
Nadia and Michael Strogof 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 sensibility 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 Par
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 inva-
sion, useless. as are all those that at
tack colossal Russia, was most fatal to
them. They soon found themselves cut
of by the troops Of the czar, who re-
took 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
Journey 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 to her, NADIA, my sister still,
when you left Riga to come to Irkutsk
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 Strogof,
81 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 Strogoh, and, turning
toward Wassili Feodor, my father"
she said, blushing deeply.
NADIA" said Wassili Feodor, my
joy will be to call you both my chill
dren!"
The marriage ceremony took place in
the cathedral Of Irkutsk. It was very
simple in it's preparations, but very
beautiful in the concourse Of the mill
cary and civil population, which thus
wished to show it's gratitude to the
young couple, whose strange journey
had now become legendary.
Alcide JoliTet and Harry Blount Of
course assisted at the marriage, of
which they wished to give an account
to their readers.
"A1d does it not make you enVious to
initiate themw asked Acide JoliVet to
his companion.
'Pshaww exclaimed Harry Blount.
'Tf, like you, I had cousinp'
my cousin is not any longer mar
riageable." laughingly answered Alcide
Jolivet
"All the better" added Harry Blount,
'for they speak Of difficulties which
are about to arise between London and
Peking."
would you not like to see what is
passing there?"
"Why, my dear Blount," cried Alcide
Jolivet, II was about to propose it to
you
This is how the two insepara bles set
out for China.
Some days after the ceremony Mi
chael and Nadia Strogoff, accompanied
by Wassili Feodor. started on their
journey to Europe. That road Of sor-
rows was only one OF happiness on
their return. They travelled very rapid
ly with one of those trains which glide
like an express over the frozen steppes
Of Siberia.
Meanwhile, arrived at the banks OF
the Dinka, just opposite Briskoe, they
stopped there one day. Michael Stro-
goff sought out the place where he had
inferred poor Nicholas. a cross was
planted there, and Nadia prayed for
the last time on the tomb Of the hum
bic and heroic soul which neither the
one nor the other would ever forget.
| At Omsk old Maria was awaiting
them in the little house OF the Stro-
goffs. She pressed in her arms that
noble girl whom in her heart she had
already a hundred times called her
| 6aroh+ar The brave Siberian on that