The Iola register., 1902-02-21
TheCOurier
OF theCzar
BY JULES VERNE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

without delay. The Russian troops of
the government of Irkutsk were march
Ing to the relief of Irkutsk. They were
concentrating on the higher waters of
the Lena and marching up the valley.
They would surely arrive before six
&lys. IL was necessary, then, that Ir-
kutsS should be delivered up by treach-
cry before six days.
Ivan Ogareff did not hesitate any Ion
ger.
One evening, the I'd of October,
council of war was being held in the
large room of the governor generals
palace. 1t was there the grand duke
resided.
This palace overlooked for 6 great
distance the course Of the river. From
its front windows one could perceive
the Tartar camp, and had the Tartars
possessed artillery of longer range
they could have rendered it uninhab
table.
The grand duke, General Voranzoff
and the governor of the town, the head
merchant, with whom had been Joined
n number of superior officers, had just
passed divers resolutions.
"Gentlemen," said the grand duke,
you know exactly our situation. 1
have a firm hope that we shall be able
to hold out until the arrival of troops
from Iakoutsk. We shall then know
well how to drive away these barbar-
Gus hordes, and it will not be my fault
AZ they don't pay dearly for this inva-
sion of Russian territory"
f.rh In
rely on the whole population Of Ir-
kutsk," replied General Voranzoff.
"Yes," said the grand duke, land l
render homage to its patriotism. Thank
God, 1t has not as yet suffered from the
horrors of an epidemic or famine, and
j have reason to think it will escape
them. But at the ramparts could not
help admiring their courage. | trust
the chief of the merchants hears my
words, and l beg him to report them as
SUCH"
81 thank your highness in the name
OF the town." answered the chief of the
merchants. May l dare to ask you
when you expect at latest the arrival
OF the army of reliefr'
-In six days at most" answered the
grand duke. "a sharp and courageous
emissary has been able to penetrate
Into the town this morning, and he has
Informed me that $4,000 Russians are
advancing by forced marches under the
orders of General Kissely. They were
two days ago on the banks of the Lena,
mt Kirensk, and now neither cold nor
snow will prevent their arrival. Fifty
nd faly incr ha Tn
tars on the flank, would soon relieve
us"
ST would add" said the chief Of the
merchants. that the day on which
your highness shall order a sortie we
shall be ready to execute your orders"
Every well, SIR" answered the grand
duke. LET us wait until the leading
columns appear on the heights, and we
viii crush the invaders"
Then, turning to General voranzoff,
1--WE will visit tomorrow" said he, "the
works on the right bank. The Angara
will soon become icebound, and per-
hnps the Tartars will be able to cross
It."
"Will your highness permit me to
make an observation said the chief
OF the merchants.
snake 1t, SIR"
II have seen the temperature fall
many a time TO 80 and 40 below zero,
and the river has been filed with float
ing pieces of ice without being entirely
frozen. This is owing no doubt to the
rapidity of the current. If, then, the
Tartars have no other means of cross
ing the river, can assure your high
ness they cannot possibly cross in that
manner" The governor general con-
firmed this assertion.
at is a very fortunate circumstance"
answered the grand duke. "Neverthe-
less let us be prepared for every emer
gency."
Then, turning to the head of the po,
lice, he asked him:
''Have you nothing to say to me"
81 have to place before your high
ness" said the head of the police, "a
petition which has been addressed to
you"
''By whom~
"By the exiles of Siberia, who, as
your highness knows, are to the num-
ber of 800 in this city"
The political exiles, scattered all over
the province, had indeed been concen-
frated at Irkutsk from the commence
ment of the invasion. They had obey
ed the order to rally at the town and
to abandon the villages where they ex-
ercised different professions. Some
were doctors, others professors, either
mt the japanese school or at the school
OF navigation. From the beginning the
grand duke, like the czar, trusting to
their patriotism, had armed them, and
he had found in them brave defenders,
= "What do the exlles ask for" said
the grand duke.
''They ask your highness' permits
sion," answered the head of the police
''to form special corps and to lead the
sortie"