Michael Strogoff; Or, The Courier of the Czar

  CHAPTER VIII A HARE CROSSES THE ROAD

  MICHAEL STROGOFF might at last hope that the road to Irkutsk was clear.He had distanced the Tartars, now detained at Tomsk, and when the Emir'ssoldiers should arrive at Krasnoiarsk they would find only a desertedtown. There being no communication between the two banks of the Yenisei,a delay of some days would be caused until a bridge of boats could beestablished, and to accomplish this would be a difficult undertaking.For the first time since the encounter with Ivan Ogareff at Omsk, thecourier of the Czar felt less uneasy, and began to hope that no freshobstacle would delay his progress.

  The road was good, for that part of it which extends between Krasnoiarskand Irkutsk is considered the best in the whole journey; fewer jolts fortravelers, large trees to shade them from the heat of the sun, sometimesforests of pines or cedars covering an extent of a hundred versts.It was no longer the wide steppe with limitless horizon; but the richcountry was empty. Everywhere they came upon deserted villages. TheSiberian peasantry had vanished. It was a desert, but a desert by orderof the Czar.

  The weather was fine, but the air, which cooled during the night, tooksome time to get warm again. Indeed it was now near September, and inthis high region the days were sensibly shortening. Autumn here lastsbut a very little while, although this part of Siberian territory isnot situated above the fifty-fifth parallel, that of Edinburgh andCopenhagen. However, winter succeeds summer almost unexpectedly. Thesewinters of Asiatic Russia may be said to be precocious, considering thatduring them the thermometer falls until the mercury is frozen nearly42 degrees below zero, and that 20 degrees below zero is considered anunsupportable temperature.

  The weather favored our travelers. It was neither stormy nor rainy. Thehealth of Nadia and Michael was good, and since leaving Tomsk they hadgradually recovered from their past fatigues.

  As to Nicholas Pigassof, he had never been better in his life. To himthis journey was a trip, an agreeable excursion in which he employed hisenforced holiday.

  "Decidedly," said he, "this is pleasanter than sitting twelve hours aday, perched on a stool, working the manip-ulator!"

  Michael had managed to get Nicholas to make his horse quicken his pace.To obtain this result, he had confided to Nicholas that Nadia and hewere on their way to join their father, exiled at Irkutsk, and that theywere very anxious to get there. Certainly, it would not do to overworkthe horse, for very probably they would not be able to exchange himfor another; but by giving him frequent rests--every ten miles, forinstance--forty miles in twenty-four hours could easily be accomplished.Besides, the animal was strong, and of a race calculated to endure greatfatigue. He was in no want of rich pasturage along the road, the grassbeing thick and abundant. Therefore, it was possible to demand anincrease of work from him.

  Nicholas gave in to all these reasons. He was much moved at thesituation of these two young people, going to share their father'sexile. Nothing had ever appeared so touching to him. With what a smilehe said to Nadia: "Divine goodness! what joy will Mr. Korpanoff feel,when his eyes behold you, when his arms open to receive you! If I go toIrkutsk--and that appears very probable now--will you permit me to bepresent at that interview! You will, will you not?" Then, striking hisforehead: "But, I forgot, what grief too when he sees that his poor sonis blind! Ah! everything is mingled in this world!"

  However, the result of all this was the kibitka went faster, and,according to Michael's calculations, now made almost eight miles anhour.

  After crossing the little river Biriousa, the kibitka reachedBiriousensk on the morning of the 4th of September. There, veryfortunately, for Nicholas saw that his provisions were becomingexhausted, he found in an oven a dozen "pogatchas," a kind of cakeprepared with sheep's fat and a large supply of plain boiled rice. Thisincrease was very opportune, for something would soon have been neededto replace the koumyss with which the kibitka had been stored atKrasnoiarsk.

  After a halt, the journey was continued in the afternoon. The distanceto Irkutsk was not now much over three hundred miles. There was nota sign of the Tartar vanguard. Michael Strogoff had some grounds forhoping that his journey would not be again delayed, and that in eightdays, or at most ten, he would be in the presence of the Grand Duke.

  On leaving Biriousinsk, a hare ran across the road, in front of thekibitka. "Ah!" exclaimed Nicholas.

  "What is the matter, friend?" asked Michael quickly, like a blind manwhom the least sound arouses.

  "Did you not see?" said Nicholas, whose bright face had become suddenlyclouded. Then he added, "Ah! no! you could not see, and it's lucky foryou, little father!"

  "But I saw nothing," said Nadia.

  "So much the better! So much the better! But I--I saw!"

  "What was it then?" asked Michael.

  "A hare crossing our road!" answered Nicholas.

  In Russia, when a hare crosses the path, the popular belief is thatit is the sign of approaching evil. Nicholas, superstitious like thegreater number of Russians, stopped the kibitka.

  Michael understood his companion's hesitation, without sharing hiscredulity, and endeavored to reassure him, "There is nothing to fear,friend," said he.

  "Nothing for you, nor for her, I know, little father," answeredNicholas, "but for me!"

  "It is my fate," he continued. And he put his horse in motion again.However, in spite of these forebodings the day passed without anyaccident.

  At twelve o'clock the next day, the 6th of September, the kibitka haltedin the village of Alsalevok, which was as deserted as the surroundingcountry. There, on a doorstep, Nadia found two of those strong-bladedknives used by Siberian hunters. She gave one to Michael, who concealedit among his clothes, and kept the other herself.

  Nicholas had not recovered his usual spirits. The ill-omen had affectedhim more than could have been believed, and he who formerly was neverhalf an hour without speaking, now fell into long reveries from whichNadia found it difficult to arouse him. The kibitka rolled swiftly alongthe road. Yes, swiftly! Nicholas no longer thought of being so carefulof his horse, and was as anxious to arrive at his journey's end asMichael himself. Notwithstanding his fatalism, and though resigned, hewould not believe himself in safety until within the walls of Irkutsk.Many Russians would have thought as he did, and more than one would haveturned his horse and gone back again, after a hare had crossed his path.

  Some observations made by him, the justice of which was proved by Nadiatransmitting them to Michael, made them fear that their trials were notyet over. Though the land from Krasnoiarsk had been respected in itsnatural productions, its forests now bore trace of fire and steel; andit was evident that some large body of men had passed that way.

  Twenty miles before Nijni-Oudinsk, the indications of recent devastationcould not be mistaken, and it was impossible to attribute them to othersthan the Tartars. It was not only that the fields were trampled byhorse's feet, and that trees were cut down. The few houses scatteredalong the road were not only empty, some had been partly demolished,others half burnt down. The marks of bullets could be seen on theirwalls.

  Michael's anxiety may be imagined. He could no longer doubt that a partyof Tartars had recently passed that way, and yet it was impossiblethat they could be the Emir's soldiers, for they could not have passedwithout being seen. But then, who were these new invaders, and by whatout-of-the-way path across the steppe had they been able to join thehighroad to Irkutsk? With what new enemies was the Czar's courier now tomeet?

  He did not communicate his apprehensions either to Nicholas or Nadia,not wishing to make them uneasy. Besides, he had resolved to continuehis way, as long as no insurmountable obstacle stopped him. Later, hewould see what it was best to do. During the ensuing day, the recentpassage of a large body of foot and horse became more and more apparent.Smoke was seen above the horizon. The kibitka advanced cautiously.Several houses in deserted villages still burned, and could not havebeen set on fire more than four and twenty hours before.

  At last, during the day, on the 8th of Septem
ber, the kibitka stoppedsuddenly. The horse refused to advance. Serko barked furiously.

  "What is the matter?" asked Michael.

  "A corpse!" replied Nicholas, who had leapt out of the kibitka. The bodywas that of a moujik, horribly mutilated, and already cold. Nicholascrossed himself. Then, aided by Michael, he carried the body to the sideof the road. He would have liked to give it decent burial, that thewild beasts of the steppe might not feast on the miserable remains, butMichael could not allow him the time.

  "Come, friend, come!" he exclaimed, "we must not delay, even for anhour!" And the kibitka was driven on.

  Besides, if Nicholas had wished to render the last duties to all thedead bodies they were now to meet with on the Siberian highroad, hewould have had enough to do! As they approached Nijni-Oudinsk, they werefound by twenties, stretched on the ground.

  It was, however, necessary to follow this road until it was manifestlyimpossible to do so longer without falling into the hands of theinvaders. The road they were following could not be abandoned, and yetthe signs of devastation and ruin increased at every village theypassed through. The blood of the victims was not yet dry. As to gaininginformation about what had occurred, that was impossible. There was nota living being left to tell the tale.

  About four o'clock in the afternoon of this day, Nicholas caught sightof the tall steeples of the churches of Nijni-Oudinsk. Thick vapors,which could not have been clouds, were floating around them.

  Nicholas and Nadia looked, and communicated the result of theirobservations to Michael. They must make up their minds what to do. Ifthe town was abandoned, they could pass through without risk, but if, bysome inexplicable maneuver, the Tartars occupied it, they must at everycost avoid the place.

  "Advance cautiously," said Michael Strogoff, "but advance!"

  A verst was soon traversed.

  "Those are not clouds, that is smoke!" exclaimed Nadia. "Brother, theyare burning the town!"

  It was, indeed, only too plain. Flashes of light appeared in the midstof the vapor. It became thicker and thicker as it mounted upwards. Butwere they Tartars who had done this? They might be Russians, obeying theorders of the Grand Duke. Had the government of the Czar determined thatfrom Krasnoiarsk, from the Yenisei, not a town, not a village shouldoffer a refuge to the Emir's soldiers? What was Michael to do?

  He was undecided. However, having weighed the pros and cons, he thoughtthat whatever might be the difficulties of a journey across the steppewithout a beaten path, he ought not to risk capture a second time bythe Tartars. He was just proposing to Nicholas to leave the road, whena shot was heard on their right. A ball whistled, and the horse of thekibitka fell dead, shot through the head.

  A dozen horsemen dashed forward, and the kibitka was surrounded. Beforethey knew where they were, Michael, Nadia, and Nicholas were prisoners,and were being dragged rapidly towards Nijni-Oudinsk.

  Michael, in this second attack, had lost none of his presence ofmind. Being unable to see his enemies, he had not thought of defendinghimself. Even had he possessed the use of his eyes, he would not haveattempted it. The consequences would have been his death and that of hiscompanions. But, though he could not see, he could listen and understandwhat was said.

  From their language he found that these soldiers were Tartars, and fromtheir words, that they preceded the invading army.

  In short, what Michael learnt from the talk at the present moment, aswell as from the scraps of conversation he overheard later, was this.These men were not under the direct orders of the Emir, who was nowdetained beyond the Yenisei. They made part of a third column chieflycomposed of Tartars from the khanats of Khokland and Koondooz, withwhich Feofar's army was to affect a junction in the neighborhood ofIrkutsk.

  By Ogareff's advice, in order to assure the success of the invasion inthe Eastern provinces, this column had skirted the base of the AltaiMountains. Pillaging and ravaging, it had reached the upper course ofthe Yenisei. There, guessing what had been done at Krasnoiarsk by orderof the Czar, and to facilitate the passage of the river to the Emir'stroops, this column had launched a flotilla of boats, which would enableFeofar to cross and resume the road to Irkutsk. Having done this, it haddescended the valley of the Yenisei and struck the road on a level withAlsalevsk. From this little town began the frightful course of ruinwhich forms the chief part of Tartar warfare. Nijni-Oudinsk had sharedthe common fate, and the Tartars, to the number of fifty thousand, hadnow quitted it to take up a position before Irkutsk. Before long, theywould be reinforced by the Emir's troops.

  Such was the state of affairs at this date, most serious for thisisolated part of Eastern Siberia, and for the comparatively fewdefenders of its capital.

  It can be imagined with what thoughts Michael's mind was now occupied!Who could have been astonished had he, in his present situation,lost all hope and all courage? Nothing of the sort, however; his lipsmuttered no other words than these: "I will get there!"

  Half an hour after the attack of the Tartar horsemen, Michael Strogoff,Nadia, and Nicholas entered Nijni-Oudinsk. The faithful dog followedthem, though at a distance. They could not stay in the town, as itwas in flames, and about to be left by the last of the marauders. Theprisoners were therefore thrown on horses and hurried away; Nicholasresigned as usual, Nadia, her faith in Michael unshaken, and Michaelhimself, apparently indifferent, but ready to seize any opportunity ofescaping.

  The Tartars were not long in perceiving that one of their prisonerswas blind, and their natural barbarity led them to make game of theirunfortunate victim. They were traveling fast. Michael's horse, having noone to guide him, often started aside, and so made confusion among theranks. This drew on his rider such abuse and brutality as wrung Nadia'sheart, and filled Nicholas with indignation. But what could they do?They could not speak the Tartar language, and their assistance wasmercilessly refused. Soon it occurred to these men, in a refinementof cruelty, to exchange the horse Michael was riding for one which wasblind. The motive of the change was explained by a remark which Michaeloverheard, "Perhaps that Russian can see, after all!"

  Michael was placed on this horse, and the reins ironically put intohis hand. Then, by dint of lashing, throwing stones, and shouting,the animal was urged into a gallop. The horse, not being guided by hisrider, blind as himself, sometimes ran into a tree, sometimes went quiteoff the road--in consequence, collisions and falls, which might havebeen extremely dangerous.

  Michael did not complain. Not a murmur escaped him. When his horse fell,he waited until it got up. It was, indeed, soon assisted up, and thecruel fun continued. At sight of this wicked treatment, Nicholas couldnot contain himself; he endeavored to go to his friend's aid. He wasprevented, and treated brutally.

  This game would have been prolonged, to the Tartars' great amusement,had not a serious accident put an end to it. On the 10th of Septemberthe blind horse ran away, and made straight for a pit, some thirty orforty feet deep, at the side of the road.

  Nicholas tried to go after him. He was held back. The horse, having noguide, fell with his rider to the bottom. Nicholas and Nadia uttered apiercing cry! They believed that their unfortunate companion had beenkilled.

  However, when they went to his assistance, it was found that Michael,having been able to throw himself out of the saddle, was unhurt, but themiserable horse had two legs broken, and was quite useless. He wasleft there to die without being put out of his suffering, and Michael,fastened to a Tartar's saddle, was obliged to follow the detachment onfoot.

  Even now, not a protest, not a complaint! He marched with a rapid step,scarcely drawn by the cord which tied him. He was still "the Man ofIron," of whom General Kissoff had spoken to the Czar!

  The next day, the 11th of September, the detachment passed through thevillage of Chibarlinskoe. Here an incident occurred which had seriousconsequences. It was nightfall. The Tartar horsemen, having halted,were more or less intoxicated. They were about to start. Nadia, who tillthen, by a miracle, had been respectfully treated by the soldiers, wasi
nsulted by one of them.

  Michael could not see the insult, nor the insulter, but Nicholas saw forhim. Then, quietly, without thinking, without perhaps knowing whathe was doing, Nicholas walked straight up to the man, and, before thelatter could make the least movement to stop him, had seized a pistolfrom his holster and discharged it full at his breast.

  The officer in command of the detachment hastened up on hearing thereport. The soldiers would have cut the unfortunate Nicholas to pieces,but at a sign from their officer, he was bound instead, placed across ahorse, and the detachment galloped off.

  The rope which fastened Michael, gnawed through by him, broke by thesudden start of the horse, and the half-tipsy rider galloped on withoutperceiving that his prisoner had escaped.

  Michael and Nadia found themselves alone on the road.