CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1903-03-19

yansk.
On going out from Kamsk Michael
Informed Nadia and Nicholas that they
would find only one little town OF some
Importance. Mimi Oudinsk. before Ir-
kutsk. Nicholas answered that he
knew that there was telegrapbic sta
tion in that town. Therefore II Mini
Oudinsk had been abandoned like
TO seek for some occupation In the cap
ital OF eastern Siberia.
From kamsk TO the neighboriDg town
WIS very long. about a hundred and
thirty versts.
After hav wing crossed the little river
OF Biriousa the kibitka reached Biriou-
sinsk on the morning OF the 4th OF Sep
tember. There. very fortunately. Mich
olas. who saw his provisions becoming
exhausted. found In an abandoned bake
house dozen cakes. prepared with
mutton fat. and 4 large supply Of boil
ed rice.
After a reasonable halt they contln-
oed their Journey once more On the aft
ernoon OF the Sth OF September. The
distnnce to Irkutsk was not more than
300 vers;s Nothing in their rear sig
nailed the advance guard OF the Tar
tars. Michael StroTon had therefore
settled down to think that his journey
would not again be interrupted and
that In eight days or In ten at the most
he would be In the prr.euce OF the
grand duke.
In coming out OF Biriousinsk a hare
crossed the road about thirty PAGES in
front Of the kIbltka.
"Ahr' said Nicholas.
.'Wbnt Is the matter. friepdf' asked
Michael StrogoG eagerly. as a blind
man whom the least noise held on the
watch.
"Did you no, seer said Nicholas
whose smiling face suddenly became
cloudy.
Then he added;
-Ab. no. you could not see. and il Is
happy for you. good fatherr'
But ] have seen nothing" said Ma
din.
$50 much the better. So much the
better. But IL have seem
what was It, thcnT' asked Michael
stroron.
"A hare that came across our path
answered Nicholas
In Russia when a hare crosses the
path of n traveller popular belief looks
upon II as sign OF approaching evil.
Nicholas. supcrstitious as are the
greater part OF tho Russians. had stop
ped the kibtkn-
Michael Strogof understood the hes
itatioD OF his companion. although he
did not share his crejulity regarding
hares crossing the path. and he wished
to rcnKsurc him.
Eve have nothing 10 fear. friend
he said TO him.
Nothing for you nor for her. know.
good father" answered Nicholas. but
for mer'
And. continuing. said he:
''It 10 my destiny"
And he again put his horse TO the
trot.
Meanwhile. In spite Of the sad prog
nosticntions. the day passed by with
out any accident.
Next day. Sept. o. nt noon the kibitka
halted nt the town OF Alsalcvsk. as de
serted rs was the surrounding country.
There on the threshold OF house
Nadia found two OF those knives with
hunters. She gave one OF them to Mi
chael Strogon. who hid II under his
coat. and she kept the other for her
self. The kibItka was not more than
sixty-Ive vcrsts from Mimi oudinsk.
Nicholas during the last two days
had not been able TO regain his usual
good humor. The evil omen had affect
ed him more than one could have be
lievcd. and he who up TO that time had
never remained an hour without talk
ing had now long spells OF silence. from
which even Nadia could with difficulty
withdraw him.
In spite OF NIL his somewhat fatallstic
resignation he would not believe him
self safe except within the walls OF
Irkutsk. Many Russians would have
thought like Nicholas, and more than
one. pulling the bride OF his horse.
would have turned back after seeing a
hare cross their path.
The next day. toward 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. Michoias deserted on the
horizon the high bclfrics OF the church.
ca OF Mini Oudinsk. They were crown
ed with thick columns OF vnpor which
could aot be clouds.
Nicholas and Nadia looked and com.
munIcated to Michael Strogor the re.
suit OF their observations. They must
decide their course Of action at once.
II the town had been abandoned. they
could pass through It without any risk.
but II by a movement that they could
not explain the Tnrtnrs already occu-
pied II they must turn II Mt nny price.
Let us advance prudently." said Nj.
chacl Strogoff, but let US ndvancew
Another verst was made.
He was about to propose to Nicholas