The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-04-19
BY Jules Verne

men were devoted to their mission IL
the world-that they delighted to throw
themselves in the track of the most un
expected intelligence; that nothing ter
rified or discouraged them from sue
ceeding; that they possessed the i'm
perturbable sang froid and the genuine
intrepidity Of men of their calling. En-
thusiastic jockeys In this steeplechase
this hunt after information, they leap
ed hedges, crossed rivers, sprang over
fences with the ardor Of pure blooded
racers who will run "a good first" OF
die
Their journals did not restrict them
with regard to money, the surest, the
most rapid, the most perfect element
of Information known to this day. Ii
must also be added, to their honor, that
neither the one nor the other ever look
ed or listened at the walls of private
life and that they only exercised their
vocation when political or social inter
ests were at stake. In a word, they
made what has been for some years
called "the great political and military
reports"
1t will be seen in following them that
they had generally an independent
mode Of viewing events and, above all,
their consequences, each having his
own way of observing and appreciat-
ing. The object to be obtained being
of adequate value, they never failed to
expend the money required
The French correspondent was nam
ed Alcide Jolivet. Harry Blount was
the name of the Englishman. The dis
similarity of their characters, added to
q certain amount of jealousy, which
generally exists between rivals in the
same calling, might have rendered
them but little sympathetic. However,
they did not avoid one another, but en-
deavored rather to exchange with each
other the news Of the day. They were
two spOrtsmen, after all, hunting on
the same grounds, In the same pre-
serve. That which one missed might
be advantageously secured by the 9TH
err, and it was to their interest to meet
and converse together.
From these two correspondents Mi
chael learned that the town itself was
menaced by the Tartar vanguard, and
two days before the authorities had
been obliged to retreat to Tobolsk
There was not an officer nor a soldier
left In Ichim
On arriving at the relay Michael Stro-
goff Immediately asked for horses.
He had been fortunate in distancing
the berlin.
Only three horses were in fit state
to be Immediately harnessed. The 9TH
ers had just come In worn out from a
long stage.
The postmaster gave the order to
put to.
As the two correspondents intended
to stop at Ichim, they had not to trou-
BILE themselves to find means of trans
port and therefore had their carriage
put away.
In ten minutes Michael was told that
his tarantass was ready to start
Good" said he
Then, turning to the two reporters,
he said:
"Well, gentlemen. since you remain
at 1chim. wish you success In the
prosecution of your mission"
What, Mr.. Korpanoff," said Alcide
Jolivet, 'shall you not stop even for an
hour at Ichim?"
mo, sir, and l also wish to leave the
posthouse before the arrival of a berlin
which dlstanced."
Are you afraid that the traveller will
dispute the horses with your
Il particularly wish to avoid any diff
ficulty."
1T is possible that we shall meet you
again in few days at Omsk," added
Blount
1T is possible" answered Michael,
"s'ace l am going straight there"
well. wish you a safe journey, Mr.
Korpanoff," said Alclde.
Almost imr,c diately the sound of
carriage was heard outside, the door
was flung open and man appeared.
1t was the traveller of the BERLIN a
military looking man, apparently about
forty years of age, tall, robust in fig
ure, broad shouldered, with strongly
set head and thick mustache meeting
red whiskers. He wore a plain uni
form. A cavalry saber hung at his
side, and in his hand he held short
handled whip.
Horses" he demanded, with the air
OF man accustomed to command
Il have no more disposable horses"
answered the postmaster, bowling.
Il must have some this moment"
1T is impossible"
What are those horses which have |
Just been harnessed to the tarantass |
saw at the door?'
They belong to this traveller" an
swered the postmaster, pointing to Mi
chael Strogoff.
Take them outr said the traveller
IN a tone which admitted of no reply.
Michael then advanced.
These horses are engaged by me-"
he said.
What does that matter7 1 must
have them. Come, be quick; have no =
time to lose"
Il have no time to lose either" re-
Piled Michael endeavoring to be calm,