Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-02-23
The Courier
of the Gar
BY jules Verne


repeated the young man. addressing
himself more directly to Michael Stro-
goh.-
1--WE were going TO Irkutsk," answer
ed the latter.
ooh, my good man. do you not know,
then, that there are many, many versts
between this and IrkutskT"
IL know It,"
"And you are going on footT"
con foot"
"As for you. it's all right, but the
missT
"She is my sister" said Michael Stro-
goT, who thought 1t more prudent to
give this name again TO Nadia.
"Yes. your sister. my good man. But,
believe me, she will never be able to
reach Irkutsk."
Friend" replied Michael Strogoff as
he drew near, "the Tartars have rob-
bed us. and l have not copeck TO offe
thee, but IL you will take my sister
near you will follow the carriage on
foot. / will run II II be necessary and
will not delay you one hour"
Brother" cried Nadia, 81 do not
wish I'll I do not wish it. Sir, my
brother Is blindw
"Bllnd!' said the young man I'm a
voice moved with emotion.
'',The Tartars have burned out his
eyesw answered Nadia, stretching out
her hands as though to implore pity.
Burned your eyes? oh, poor, dear
man! am going to Krasnoiarsk.
Well, now, why do you not mount with
your sister into the kibitkal In sitting
a little closer we shall hold each other
up. Besides, mS dog will not refuse to
go on foot. Only do not go fast in or
der TO spare my horse"
Friend, what do they call your"
asked Michael Strogoff.
II am called Nicholas Pigassof."
at Is a name that l shall never for
get" answered Michael Strogoff.
"Well, then, mount, my good blind
man. Your sister shall be near you at
the back Of the car; | In front to con-
duct. There are some good birch bark
and some barley straw on the bottom.
It's like a nest. Come, Serko, give us
ROOM"
The dog jumped off without much
asking. 1t was an animal of the Sibe-
rian breed, with gray hide, medium
size, with n good, large and caressing
head, and which appeared to be very
attached to his master.
Michael Strogoff and Nadia IN an in
slant were installed in the klbitka. Mi
chael Strogoff had stretched out his
hands as though to search those of
Nicholas Pigassof.
els II my hands you wish to press?"
said Nicholas. "Here they are, my
good man. Shake them as much as
you like"
The kibltka was soon in motion. The
horse. which Nicholas never struck,
ambled along. If Michael Strogoff did
not gain much in rapidity, at least new
fatigues would be spared to Nadia.
And such was the exhaustion of the
young girl that, rocked by the monoto-
nous motion of the kibtka, she soon
fen into n sleep that resembled an utter
prostration. Michael Strogoff and Mich
olas made n bed for her on the birch
leaves as well as they were able. The
compassionate young man was much
moved, and IL tear did not escape the
eyes OF Michael Strogoff in truth II
was because the redhot iron had burn
ed them dry.
''She Is pretty" said Nicholas.
''Yes,~ answered Michael Strogofr.
"These darlings would be strong, for
they are courageous, but they are real.
ly only weak. Do you come n great
distanceP
"From n great distance"
poor young folksI 1t must have
hurt you much when they burned your
eyes"
Every much" said Michael Strogoff
turning as though he could see Nicho
las.
Did you not cry?"
yes"
II also should have cried. To thinh
that one can never see again those ht
lowest Anyhow they see you. That i:
perhaps some consolation"
'Yes, perhaps. Tell me, friend" de
manded Michael Strogoff, "have yoI
never seen me anywhere before to
dayT
You, my good man? No, never"
at Is because the sound of your voic,
s not unknown to me-"
do you see?" said Nicholas, smiling
He knows the sound OF my voice
Perhaps you ask me this to learl
whence l come. oh. am going {,
ell you. am coming from Kalyvan.'
From Kalyvan?" said Michael Stro
Eoff. "Well, then il is there that l me
Tou. You were at the telegraph of
bceg'