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and when the Emir's soldiers should arrive at Krasnoiarsk they
would find only a deserted town。 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 be established；
and to accomplish this would be a difficult undertaking。
For the first time since the encounter with Ivan Ogareff at Omsk；
the courier of the Czar felt less uneasy； and began to hope
that no fresh obstacle would delay his progress。
The road was good； for that part of it which extends
between Krasnoiarsk and Irkutsk is considered the best
in the whole journey； fewer jolts for travelers； large trees
to shade them from the heat of the sun； sometimes forests
of pines or cedars covering an extent of a hundred versts。
It was no longer the wide steppe with limitless horizon；
but the rich country was empty。 Everywhere they came upon
deserted villages。 The Siberian peasantry had vanished。
It was a desert； but a desert by order of the Czar。
The weather was fine； but the air； which cooled during the night；
took some time to get warm again。 Indeed it was now near September；
and in this high region the days were sensibly shortening。
Autumn here lasts but a very little while； although this part of
Siberian territory is not situated above the fifty…fifth parallel；
that of Edinburgh and Copenhagen。 However； winter succeeds summer
almost unexpectedly。 These winters of Asiatic Russia may be said
to be precocious； considering that during them the thermometer falls
until the mercury is frozen nearly 42 degrees below zero； and that 20
degrees below zero is considered an unsupportable temperature。
The weather favored our travelers。 It was neither stormy nor rainy。
The health of Nadia and Michael was good； and since leaving Tomsk they
had gradually recovered from their past fatigues。
As to Nicholas Pigassof； he had never been better in his life。
To him this journey was a trip； an agreeable excursion in which
he employed his enforced holiday。
〃Decidedly；〃 said he； 〃this is pleasanter than sitting twelve hours a day；
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 he were on their way to join their father； exiled at Irkutsk；
and that they were very anxious to get there。 Certainly； it would
not do to overwork the horse； for very probably they would not be
able to exchange him for another； but by giving him frequent rests
every ten miles； for instanceforty miles in twenty…four hours
could easily be accomplished。 Besides； the animal was strong；
and of a race calculated to endure great fatigue。 He was in no want
of rich pasturage along the road； the grass being thick and abundant。
Therefore； it was possible to demand an increase of work from him。
Nicholas gave in to all these reasons。 He was much moved at the situation
of these two young people； going to share their father's exile。
Nothing had ever appeared so touching to him。 With what a smile he 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 to Irkutsk
and that appears very probable nowwill you permit me to be present at
that interview！ You will； will you not？〃 Then； striking his forehead：
〃But； I forgot； what grief too when he sees that his poor son is 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 an hour。
After crossing the little river Biriousa； the kibitka reached Biriousensk
on the morning of the 4th of September。 There； very fortunately；
for Nicholas saw that his provisions were becoming exhausted；
he found in an oven a dozen 〃pogatchas；〃 a kind of cake prepared
with sheep's fat and a large supply of plain boiled rice。
This increase was very opportune； for something would soon have
been needed to replace the koumyss with which the kibitka had been
stored at Krasnoiarsk。
After a halt； the journey was continued in the afternoon。
The distance to Irkutsk was not now much over three hundred miles。
There was not a sign of the Tartar vanguard。 Michael Strogoff had
some grounds for hoping that his journey would not be again delayed；
and that in eight days； 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 the kibitka。 〃Ah！〃 exclaimed Nicholas。
〃What is the matter； friend？〃 asked Michael quickly； like a blind
man whom the least sound arouses。
〃Did you not see？〃 said Nicholas； whose bright face had become
suddenly clouded。 Then he added； 〃Ah！ no！ you could not see；
and it's lucky for you； little father！〃
〃But I saw nothing；〃 said Nadia。
〃So much the better！ So much the better！ But II 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 that it
is the sign of approaching evil。 Nicholas； superstitious like the greater
number of Russians； stopped the kibitka。
Michael understood his companion's hesitation； without sharing
his credulity； and endeavored to reassure him； 〃There is nothing
to fear； friend；〃 said he。
〃Nothing for you； nor for her； I know； little father；〃 answered Nicholas；
〃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 any accident。
At twelve o'clock the next day； the 6th of September； the kibitka
halted in the village of Alsalevok； which was as deserted
as the surrounding country。 There； on a doorstep； Nadia found
two of those strong…bladed knives used by Siberian hunters。
She gave one to Michael； who concealed it among his clothes；
and kept the other herself。
Nicholas had not recovered his usual spirits。 The ill…omen had
affected him more than could have been believed； and he who formerly
was never half an hour without speaking； now fell into long
reveries from which Nadia found it difficult to arouse him。
The kibitka rolled swiftly along the road。 Yes； swiftly！
Nicholas no longer thought of being so careful of his horse；
and was as anxious to arrive at his journey's end as Michael himself。
Notwithstanding his fatalism； and though resigned；
he would not believe himself in safety until within the walls
of Irkutsk。 Many Russians would have thought as he did；
and more than one would have turned 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 Nadia
transmitting them to Michael； made them fear that their trials were not
yet over。 Though the land from Krasnoiarsk had been respected in its
natural productions； its forests now bore trace of fire and steel；
and it was evident that some large body of men had passed that way。
Twenty miles before Nijni…Oudinsk； the indications of recent
devastation could not be mistaken； and it was impossible to attribute
them to others than the Tartars。 It was not only that the fields
were trampled by horse's feet； and that trees were cut down。
The few houses scattered along the road were not only empty；
some had been partly demolished； others half burnt down。
The marks of bullets could be seen on their walls。
Michael's anxiety may be imagined。 He could no longer doubt
that a party of Tartars had recently passed that way； and yet
it was impossible that they could be the Emir's soldiers；
for they could not have passed without being seen。
But then； who were these new invaders； and by what out…of…the…way
path across the steppe had they been able to join the highroad
to Irkutsk？ With what new enemies was the Czar's courier
now to meet？
He did not communicate his apprehensions either to Nicholas or Nadia；
not wishing to make them uneasy。 Besides； he had resolved
to continue his way； as long as no insurmountable obstacle
stopped him。 Later； he would see what it was best to do。
During the ensuing day； the recent passage of