Cañon City record., 1903-01-08
er Of his rubles.

er Of his rubles.
But to what sort of vehicle should
he harness his horses?
Michael Strogoff was lucky enough TO
discover tarantass.
1t is to be hoped that the invention Of
Russian coachbuilders will devise
some Improvement in this last named
vehicle. Springs are wanting in it. so
1t is very uncomfortable. In the alb.
sence of iron. wood is not spared but
its four wheels. with eight or nine feet
between them. assure a certain equilib-
rum over the jolting. rough roads. A
splash board protects the travellers from
the mud. and strong leather hood.
which may be pulled quite over the oc-
cupiers. shelters them from the great
heat and violent storms of the summer.
Ii was not without careful search
that Michael managed to discover this
tarantass. and there was probably not
a second to be found in all the town OF
Perm. Notwithstanding that. he hag-
gled long about the price. for forms
sake. to act up to his part as Nicholas
Korpanofr. plain merchant of Ir-
kutsk
Nadia had followed her companion in
his search after a suitable vehicle. Al
thorg' the object of each was differ.
cnr. both were equally anxious to ar
rive and consequently to start. One
would have said the same will animat-
ed them both.
SISTER" said Michael. 81 wish
could have found a more comfortable
conveyance for you"
DO you say that to me, brother
when | would have gone on foot, II
need were, to rejoin my father?"
Il do not doubt your courage, Nadia
but there are physical fatIgues which :
woman may be unable to endure"
Il shall endure them. whatever they
may be-, replied the girl. 'If you ever
hear complaint from my lips. you
may leave me in the road and continue
your Journey alone"
Half an hour later en-, the podnrulnn
being presented by Michael. three post
horses were harnessed to the tarantass.
These ANIMALS, covered with long hair.
were very like long legged bears. They
We're small. but spirited. being OF S.be-
rian breed.
They were harnessed thus: One. the
largest. was secured between two long
shafts on whose farther end was
hoop called a douga. carrying tassels
and bells. The two others were sim.
ply fastened by ropes to the steps OF the
tarantass. This was the complies. hnr-
ness. with mere strings for reins.
Neither Michael Strogoff nor the
young Llvonian girl had any baggage.
The rapidity with which one wished to
make the journey and the more than
modest resources of the other prevent
ed them from embarrassing themselves
with packages. 1t was fortunate
thing under the circumstances, for the
tarantass could not have carried both
baggage and travellers. 1t was only
made for two persons. without count
Ing the driver. who kept his equilibri-
um on his narrow seat In a marvellous
manner.
The driver is changed at every relay.
The man who drove the tarantass dur
ing the first stage was. like his horses.
a Siberian and no less shaggy than
they-long hair. cut square on the fore
head, hat with turned up rim, red belt.
coat with crossed facings and buttons
stamped with the imperial cipher. The
driver on coming up with his team
threw an inqulsitive glance at the pas
sengers of the tarantass. No luggager
And had there been. where in the
world could he have slowed 1t? Rath-
er shabby In appearance too. He look
ed contemptuous.
Crows said he. without caring
whether he was overheard or not:
"crows at copecks verst!''
mo; eagles" said Michael. who un-
derstood the slang perfectly; eagles,
do you hear. at 0 copecks a verst and
tip besides"
He was answered by a merry crack
OF the whip.
In the language of the Russian pos
tilions the "crow" Is the stingy or poor
traveller who at the posthouses only
pays . or 3 copecks a verst for the
horses. The eagle" is the traveller
who does not mind expense. to say
nothing OF liberal tips. Therefore the
crow could not claim to fly as rapidly
as the imperial bird.
Nadia and Michael Immediately took
their places In the tarantass. A small
store Of provisions was put in the box,
In case at any time they were delayed
in reaching the posthouses, which are
very comfortably provided under d.
rection Of the state. The hood was
pulled up, as ii was insupportably hot.
and at IL o'clock :he tarantass. drawn
by its thrce horses. left Perm in n
cloud of dust.
CHAPTER VI.
y the afternoon Of the 23d