Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-01-05
CHAPTER VIII.

mortal. By swimming in
a manner by which he
IyryN1N01 had effectually concealed
lASNEG himself be had reached
the right bank, where be
fell exhausted among the bushes.
When he recovered his senses, he
found himself in the cabin of a mujik.
who had picked him up and cared for
him and to whom he owed his life.
For how long a time had he been the
guest of this brave Siberian? He could
not guess. but when he opened his eyes
he saw the handsome bearded face
bending over him and regarding him
with plying eyes. He was about to
ask where he was when the mujik. an
ticipatng him, said:
do not speak, little father. do not
speak. Thou art still too weak. | will
tell thee where thou art and everything
that has passed since l brought tee to
my cabin"
And the mujik related to Michael
Strogoff the different incidents of the
struggle which he had witnessed-the
| attack upon the ferry by the Tartar
boats, the pillage of the tarantcss and
| the massacre of the boatmen.
But Michael Strogoff listened no Ion
! ger, and, slipping his hand under his
/ garment, he felt the imperial letter still
secured in his breast.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Bet that
| was not all.
"A young girl accompanied me- said
! he.
They have not killed her," replied
the mujik, anticipating the anxiety
which he read in the eyes of his guest.
"They have carried her off in their
boat and have continued the descent Of
the Irish. 1t is only one prisoner more
to join SO many others which they are
taking to Tomsk."
Michael Strogoff was unable to reply.
He pressed his hand upon his heart to
restrain its beating.
But, Notwithstanding these many
trials, the sentiment of duty mastered
his whole soul.
He remembered the errand which he
had undertaken. Indeed never by day
or night was his emperor's mission for
| even Il moment absent from his mind.
| Not the presence of the greatest dan
ger, the tOrtures of hunger and thirst,
the WEAKNESS of excessive fatigue, not
even all combined could cause him to
| forget that a mOmentOus matter was
intrusted to his courage, his zeal, his
fidelity and his endurance. Michael
Strogoff was worthy of this trust.
where am 2" asked he.
Upon the right bank of the Irish,
only five versts from Omsk," replied
the mUjik.
What wound can | have received
which could have thus Frustrated HE?
1t was not gunshOt Wound?"
mo; a lance thrust upon the head,
now healing" replied the mujik. Aft
er a few days rest, little father, thou
wilt be able to proceed. Thou didst fall
into the river, but the Tartars neither
touched nor searched thee, and thy
purse is still in thy pocket
Michael Strogof gripped the mujik' S
hand. Then, recovering himself with a
sudden effort. Friend" said lie, "how
long have been in thy hut?'
'Three days"
''Three days lostv'
"Three days hast thou lain uncon-
scious."
Hast thou horse to sell me?"
''ThOu wishest to go?'
AT once"
81 have neither horse nor carria ge
, little father. Where the Tartar has
J passed there remains nothing"
'Well. | will go on foot to Omsk to
find a horse"
"A few more hours of rest and thor
wilt be in better condition to pursue
thy journey"
: Not an hourr'
"Come. now" replied the mujik. rec
, ogniZing the fact that it was uSeleS:
) to struggle against the will of his guest
81 will guide thee myself. Besides,
he added. 1.-The Russians are still il
great force at Omsk, and thou coulds
perhaps pass unperceived."
Friend" replied Michael. 'heaveI
reward thee for all thou hast done TO
me-"
Reward! Only fools expect reward
on earth" replied the mujik.
J Michael Strogoff went out of the hut
! When he tried to walk, he was seizet
d with such faintness that without thu
assistance Of the mujik he would hav
s fallen, but the fresh air quickly re
: vived him. He then felt the wound fl
= his head, the violence of which his flu
/ cap had lessened. With the energ.
e which he possessed he was not a mai
b to succumb under such trifie Befor
, his eyes lay single goal-far dlstan
: Irkutsk. He must reach it, But
must pass through Omsk without stop
ping there.
+ God protect my mother and Nadia!
he murmured. 81 have no longer tn
: right to think Of themr'
g Michael Strogoff and the mujik 500