Morris tribune., 1902-02-01


should have persisted. z
And dared you alone, Nadia. said
/ Michael, attempt to cross the steppes
of Siberia? y
..The Tartar invasion was not known
when I left Riga replied the young
! girl. TT was only at Moscow that !
| learned that news.
.'And outstanding that you con-
tinued your journey
1T was my duty"
This word showed the character Of
| the courageous girl.
She then spoke Of her father, Wassill
Fedor He was much esteemed ply.
stefan at Riga, but his connection with
some secret society having been as
serted he received orders to start for
Irkutsk, and the police who brought
the order conducted him without delay
beyond the frontier. WassiH Fedor had
but time to embrace his sick wife and
his daughter, so soon to be left alone,
when, shedding bitter tears, he was
led away. -.eA--~
A yea. and a half after her husbands
of her daughter, who was thus left
alone and almost penniless. Nadia Fee
dor then asked and easily obtained
from the Russian government an au-
thorization to join her father at r.
kutsk. She wrote and told him she
was starting. She had barely enough
money for this long journey, and yet
she did not hesitate to undertake it..
She would do what she could. God
would do the rest. @ae.a 1sSs---
The next day, the 10th Of July, the
Caucasus reached Perm, the last place
at which she touched on the Kama.
The government of which Perm is
the capital is one of the largest in the
Russian empire and, extending over the
Ural mountains, encroaches on Sibe-
rian territory Marble quarries, mines
Of salt, platinum, gold and coal are
worked here on a large scale. Although
Perm by it's situation has become an
important town, it is by no means at
tractive, being extremely muddy and
want Of comfort is of no consequences
to those going from Russia to Siberia, |
for they come from the more civilized |
districts and are supplied with all nee
essaries, but to those arriving from the |
countries Of central Asia, after a long |
and fatiguing journey, it would no.
doubt be more satisfactory if the first;
European town of the empire, situated
on the Asiatic frontier, were better suppl
piled with stores. ssssz
At Perm the travellers sell their vehi-
cles, more or less damaged by the long
Journey across the plains of Siberia.
There, too, those passing from Europe
to Asia purchase carriages during the
summer and sleighs in the winter sea-
son before starting for several
months journey through the steppes.
Michael Strogof had already sketch-
ed out his programme, so now he had
only to execute it.
A vehicle carrying the mail usually
runs across the Ural mountains, butt
at the present time this, of course, was
Even if it had not been
50, Michael Strogoff would not havel
taken it, as he wished to travel as FAST
rs possible without depending on any L
one. He wisely preferred to buy a carr
rage and journey by stages, stimulat-d
ng the zeal of the positions by tips.
Unfortunately, in consequence of the
measures taken against foreigners of
Asiatic origin, a large number Of trav-
9lers had already left Perm, and there
ore conveyances were extremely rare.
Michael was obliged to content himself Ii
With what had been rejected by others.
As to horses, as long as the ears cou-
ier was not in Siberia he could exhibit
lis podorojna without danger, and the
Dostmasters would give him the prefer
nee. But once out Of European Rus +
in, he had to depend alone on the pow
l. of his rubles. 81
But to what sort of vehicle should
e harness his horses?
Michael Strogof was lucky enough to /
iscoYer a tarantass.
It is to be hoped that the invention Of ,
russian coachbuilders will devised j
ONE improvement in this last named {
ehicle. Springs are wanting in it, so {
is very uncomfortable. In the alb /
ence Of iron. wood is not spared, but i
$ four wheels, with eight or nine feet !
etWeen them, assure certain equilib- :
UNI over the jolting, rough roads. A +
olash board protects the travellers from
lie mud, and strong leather hood,
hich may be pulled quite over the oc- ).
lpiers, shelters them from the great
eat and violent storms of the summer.
1t was not without careful search !.
lat Michael managed to discover this =
rantass, and there was probably not =
second to be found in all the town of
arm. Notwithstanding that, he bag .
ed long about the price, for forms :
Ike, to act up to his part as. Nicholas y
orpanoff, a plain merchant Of IT. 8
ltsk. =
Nadia had followed her companion In =
$ search after suitable vehicle. Al y
ough the object Of each was differ e
t, both were equally anxious to ar
re and consequently to start One "
ould have said the same will animal Us
them both.