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that the detachment were not thinking of visiting the copse；
but only bivouacking near； to rest their horses and allow the men
to take some refreshment。 The horses were soon unsaddled；
and began to graze on the thick grass which carpeted the ground。
The men meantime stretched themselves by the side of the road；
and partook of the provisions they produced from their knapsacks。
Michael's self…possession had never deserted him； and creeping amongst
the high grass he endeavored not only to examine the new…comers；
but to hear what they said。 It was a detachment from Omsk；
composed of Usbeck horsemen； a race of the Mongolian type。
These men； well built； above the medium height； rough； and wild…featured；
wore on their heads the 〃talpak；〃 or black sheep…skin cap；
and on their feet yellow high…heeled boots with turned…up toes；
like the shoes of the Middle Ages。 Their tunics were close…fitting；
and confined at the waist by a leathern belt braided with red。
They were armed defensively with a shield； and offensively with a
curved sword； and a flintlock musket slung at the saddle…bow。 From
their shoulders hung gay…colored cloaks。
The horses； which were feeding at liberty at the edge
of the wood； were； like their masters； of the Usbeck race。
These animals are rather smaller than the Turcomanian horses；
but are possessed of remarkable strength； and know no other pace
than the gallop。
This detachment was commanded by a 〃pendja…baschi〃； that is to say；
a commander of fifty men； having under him a 〃deh…baschi；〃
or simple commander of ten men。 These two officers wore helmets
and half coats…of…mail； little trumpets fastened to their saddle…bows
were the distinctive signs of their rank。
The pendja…baschi had been obliged to let his men rest；
fatigued with a long stage。 He and the second officer；
smoking 〃beng；〃 the leaf which forms the base of the 〃has…chisch；〃
strolled up and down the wood； so that Michael Strogoff without
being seen； could catch and understand their conversation；
which was spoken in the Tartar language。
Michael's attention was singularly excited by their very first words。
It was of him they were speaking。
〃This courier cannot be much in advance of us；〃 said the pendja…baschi；
〃and； on the other hand； it is absolutely impossible that he can have
followed any other route than that of the Baraba。〃
〃Who knows if he has left Omsk？〃 replied the deh…baschi。 〃Perhaps
he is still hidden in the town。〃
〃That is to be wished； certainly。 Colonel Ogareff would have no fear
then that the dispatches he bears should ever reach their destination。〃
〃They say that he is a native； a Siberian；〃 resumed the deh…baschi。
〃If so； he must be well acquainted with the country； and it is possible
that he has left the Irkutsk road； depending on rejoining it later。〃
〃But then we should be in advance of him；〃 answered the pendja…baschi；
〃for we left Omsk within an hour after his departure； and have
since followed the shortest road with all the speed of our horses。
He has either remained in Omsk； or we shall arrive at Tomsk before him；
so as to cut him off； in either case he will not reach Irkutsk。〃
〃A rugged woman； that old Siberian； who is evidently his mother；〃
said the deh…baschi。
At this remark Michael's heart beat violently。
〃Yes；〃 answered the pendja…baschi。 〃She stuck to it well that
the pretended merchant was not her son； but it was too late。
Colonel Ogareff was not to be taken in； and； as he said；
he will know how to make the old witch speak when the time comes。〃
These words were so many dagger…thrusts for Michael。 He was
known to be a courier of the Czar！ A detachment of horsemen
on his track could not fail to cut him off。 And； worst of all；
his mother was in the hands of the Tartars； and the cruel
Ogareff had undertaken to make her speak when he wished！
Michael well knew that the brave Siberian would sacrifice her life
for him。 He had fancied that he could not hate Ivan Ogareff more；
yet a fresh tide of hate now rose in his heart。 The wretch who had
betrayed his country now threatened to torture his mother。
The conversation between the two officers continued； and Michael
understood that an engagement was imminent in the neighborhood
of Kolyvan； between the Muscovite troops coming from the north
and the Tartars。 A small Russian force of two thousand men；
reported to have reached the lower course of the Obi； were advancing
by forced marches towards Tomsk。 If such was the case；
this force； which would soon find itself engaged with the main
body of Feofar…Khan's army； would be inevitably overwhelmed；
and the Irkutsk road would be in the entire possession
of the invaders。
As to himself； Michael learnt； by some words from the pendja…baschi；
that a price was set on his head； and that orders had been given
to take him； dead or alive。
It was necessary； therefore； to get the start of the Usbeck horsemen
on the Irkutsk road； and put the Obi between himself and them。
But to do that； he must escape before the camp was broken up。
His determination taken； Michael prepared to execute it。
Indeed； the halt would not be prolonged； and the pendja…baschi did
not intend to give his men more than an hour's rest； although their
horses could not have been changed for fresh ones since Omsk；
and must be as much fatigued as that of Michael Strogoff。
There was not a moment to lose。 It was within an hour of morning。
It was needful to profit by the darkness to leave the little wood
and dash along the road； but although night favored it the success
of such a flight appeared to be almost impossible。
Not wishing to do anything at random； Michael took time for reflection；
carefully weighing the chances so as to take the best。
From the situation of the place the result was this
that he could not escape through the back of the wood； the stream
which bordered it being not only deep； but very wide and muddy。
Beneath this thick water was a slimy bog； on which the foot
could not rest。 There was only one way open； the high…road。 To
endeavor to reach it by creeping round the edge of the wood；
without attracting attention； and then to gallop at headlong speed；
required all the remaining strength and energy of his noble steed。
Too probably it would fall dead on reaching the banks of the Obi； when；
either by boat or by swimming； he must cross this important river。
This was what Michael had before him。
His energy and courage increased in sight of danger。
His life； his mission； his country； perhaps the safety of his mother；
were at stake。 He could not hesitate。
There was not a moment to be lost。 Already there was a slight
movement among the men of the detachment。 A few horsemen
were strolling up and down the road in front of the wood。
The rest were still lying at the foot of the trees； but their
horses were gradually penetrating towards the center of the wood。
Michael had at first thought of seizing one of these horses；
but he recollected that； of course； they would be as fatigued
as his own。 It was better to trust to his own brave steed；
which had already rendered him such important service。
The good animal； hidden behind a thicket； had escaped the sight
of the Usbecks。 They； besides； had not penetrated so far
into the wood。
Michael crawled up to his horse through the grass； and found him
lying down。 He patted and spoke gently to him； and managed to raise
him without noise。 Fortunately； the torches were entirely consumed；
and now went out； the darkness being still profound under shelter
of the larches。 After replacing the bit； Michael looked to his
girths and stirrups； and began to lead his horse quietly away。
The intelligent animal followed his master without even making
the least neigh。
A few Usbeck horses raised their heads； and began to wander towards
the edge of the wood。 Michael held his revolver in his hand；
ready to blow out the brains of the first Tartar who should approach him。
But happily the alarm was not given； and he was able to gain the angle
made by the wood where it joined the road。
To avoid being seen； Michael's intention was not to mount until
after turning a corner some tw