沙皇的信使(中文导读英文版)(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)

作者：丁永姬,王勋,（法）儒勒·凡尔纳

出版社：清华大学出版社

格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT

沙皇的信使(中文导读英文版)试读：

前言

儒勒·凡尔纳（Jules Verne，1828-1905），法国著名作家，现代科幻小说的奠基人，被誉为“科幻小说之父”。凡尔纳一生共创作了六十多部充满神奇与浪漫的科幻小说，其代表作有《气球上的五星期》、《地心游记》、《从地球到月球》、《海底两万里》、《八十天周游世界》、《格兰特船长的儿女》和《神秘岛》等，这些小说被译成世界上几十种文字，并多次被搬上银幕，在世界上广为流传。

儒勒·凡尔纳于1828年2月8日出生在法国西部海港南特。自幼热爱海洋，向往远航探险。他的父亲是一位事业成功的律师，并希望凡尔纳日后也以律师作为职业。18岁时，他遵从父训到首都巴黎攻读法律。可是他对法律毫无兴趣，却爱上了文学和戏剧。1863年，他发表第一部科幻小说《气球上的五星期》，之后又出版了使他获得巨大声誉的科幻三部曲：《格兰特船长的儿女》、《海底两万里》和《神秘岛》。凡尔纳的科幻小说是真实性与大胆幻想的结合：奇幻的故事情节、鲜明的人物形象、丰富而奇妙的想象、浓郁的浪漫主义风格和生活情趣，使之产生了巨大的艺术魅力，赢得了全世界各国读者，特别是青少年读者的喜爱。他的作品中所表现的自然科学方面的许多预言和假设，在他去世之后得以印证和实现，至今仍然启发人们的想象力和创造力。

总的说来，凡尔纳的小说有两大特点。第一，他的作品是丰富的幻想和科学知识的结合。虽然凡尔纳笔下的幻想极为奇特、大胆，但其中有着坚实的科学基础，这些作品既是科学精神的幻想曲，也是富有幻想色彩的科学预言，他的许多科幻猜想最后变成了现实。例如，他不仅在小说《从地球到月球》中用大炮将探月飞行器送上太空，甚至还将发射场安排在了美国佛罗里达州，这正是“阿波罗登月计划”的发射场，他在小说《海底两万里》中虚构了“鹦鹉螺号”潜水艇，在该小说出版10年后，第一艘真正的潜水艇才下水；在《征服者罗比尔》中有一个类似直升飞机的飞行器，数十年后，人类才将这一设想变成了现实。此外，他的小说中还出现了电视、霓虹灯、导弹、坦克和太空飞船等科学技术应用概念，而这些后来都变成了现实。第二，他的作品中的主人公是一些鲜明、生动而富有进取心和正义感的人物，他们或是地理发现者、探险家、科学家、发明家，他们具有超人的智慧、坚强的毅力和执著不懈的精神；或是反对民族歧视、民族压迫的战士，反对社会不公的抗争者，追求自由的旅行家，在他们身上具有反压迫、反强权、反传统的战斗精神，他们热爱自由、热爱平等，维护人的尊严。凡尔纳所塑造的这些人物形象，他们远大的理想、坚强的性格、优秀的品质和高尚的情操已赢得了亿万读者的喜爱和尊敬，并一直成为人们向往的偶像和学习的榜样。

1900年，儒勒·凡尔纳的第一部中译本小说《八十天周游世界》（当时的中文译名是《八十日环游记》）被介绍给中国的读者，直至新中国成立之前，陆续又有梁启超、鲁迅等文化名人将凡尔纳的作品翻译出版。20世纪50年代后期，凡尔纳的科幻小说又开始为国内翻译界和出版界所关注，并在新中国读者面前重新显示了科幻小说旺盛的生命力。20世纪80年代，凡尔纳的作品再次受到读者的青睐，国内许多出版社相继翻译出版了凡尔纳的科幻小说，一时形成了“凡尔纳热”。

目前，国内已出版的凡尔纳小说的形式主要有两种：一种是中文翻译版，另一种是中英文对照版。而其中的中英文对照读本比较受读者的欢迎，这主要是得益于中国人热衷于学习英文的大环境。而从英文学习的角度上来看，直接使用纯英文的学习资料更有利于英语学习。考虑到对英文内容背景的了解有助于英文阅读，使用中文导读应该是一种比较好的方式，也可以说是该类型书的第三种版本形式。采用中文导读而非中英文对照的方式进行编排，这样有利于国内读者摆脱对英文阅读依赖中文注释的习惯。基于以上原因，我们决定编译凡尔纳系列科幻小说中的经典，其中包括《气球上的五星期》、《地心游记》、《从地球到月球》、《环游月球》、《海底两万里》、《八十天周游世界》、《格兰特船长的儿女》、《神秘岛》、《沙皇的信使》、《咯尔巴阡古堡》、《无名之家》、《征服者罗比尔》、《大臣号幸存者》、《亚马逊漂流记》、《太阳系历险记》、《两年假期》和《测量子午线》等，并采用中文导读英文版的形式出版。在中文导读中，我们尽力使其贴近原作的精髓，也尽可能保留原著的风格。我们希望能够编出为当代中国读者所喜爱的经典读本。读者在阅读英文故事之前，可以先阅读中文导读内容，这样有利于了解故事背景，从而加快阅读速度。我们相信，这些经典著作的引进对加强当代中国读者，特别是青少年读者的科学素养和人文修养是非常有帮助的。

本书主要内容由丁永姬、王勋编译。参加本书故事素材搜集整理及编译工作的还有纪飞、郑佳、刘乃亚、赵雪、左新杲、黄福成、冯洁、徐鑫、马启龙、王业伟、王旭敏、陈楠、王多多、邵舒丽、周丽萍、王晓旭、李永振、孟宪行、熊红华、胡国平、熊建国、徐平国、王小红等。限于我们的文学素养和英语水平，书中难免不当之处，衷心希望读者朋友批评指正。第一章　在宫殿举行的宴会导读

凌晨两点，在新宫举行晚会的高潮时刻，基索夫将军给沙皇陛下送来从托木斯克发来的电报，并报告说在此城市以外地方的电线都被切断了。陛下让他每隔一小时向托木斯克发一份电报。

舞会上，乐队演奏着从舞曲中精选出来的曲目。大元帅和他的副手负责整个晚会的各项事宜，达官显要、欧洲主要国家的外交使团成员和光彩照人的贵妇人在这里展示着他们的舞姿。

沙皇陛下出于不爱修饰自己的习惯，穿着一身近卫军军官的服饰。他高高的个子、面色凝重，很t少说话，但一样让人觉得和蔼可亲。

陛下看到电报后，眉头锁得更紧了。他把将军带到一扇窗前，问了他一些问题。将军答道：昨天就和大公失去了联系，阿慕尔和雅库次克及越贝加尔各省的军队向伊尔库茨克进军的命令是最近一封电报下达的，并传到了贝加尔湖以外地区。原本还和其他各省保持着联系，但很快西伯利亚的边境就无法通过了，现在还没有叛徒伊万·奥加勒夫的消息。

陛下要求把叛徒的特征发往沿线各地，并对此保密。将军行了一个礼后就退下去了。

一身戎装的沙皇陛下恢复了镇定，走到了人群中间。关于他们刚才谈论的事情，有两个人已获得了准确的信息。这两个人来自诺曼底的盎格鲁和来自罗曼的高卢，法国人获得信息全靠眼睛，而英国人则靠耳朵。法国人眼观六路，英国人则耳听八方。

那个英国人是《电讯日报》的记者，那个法国人是个通讯员，他们都是以记者的身份来参加晚会的。

他们所服务的报社对他们不惜金钱，但他们从不违背道德去偷听、偷看。他们只是对一些政治和社会事件采取行动，并用各自的方式去判断。

法国记者阿尔西德·若利韦和英国记者哈里·布朗特是来参加晚会时才认识的。他们两人本应是竞争的关系，但他俩还是交换了看法：英国记者认为晚会非常精彩，而法国记者则表示感到了一股乌云。

他们又提到刚才陛下看到将军送来电报时的表现，就像一八一二年沙皇亚历山大在举行的晚会上收到报告说拿破仑和法国军队渡过了尼也门河时一样。

他们又谈到电报线路被截断后陛下命令部队集结的消息，这条明天将会在他们的报纸上出现。随后两人就分开了。

隔壁餐厅的门开了，里面的金银餐具中摆满了美味佳肴，客人们朝餐厅走去。

这时，基索夫将军回来告诉陛下，托木斯克的电报线路也断了。陛下让他派一个信使去送电报。随后沙皇到了隔壁的办公室，打开窗户，呼吸着新鲜空气。看着前面的莫斯科河，他抱着双臂在沉思。ire,a fresh dispatch.”“Whence？”“S

“From Tomsk.”

“Is the wire cut beyond that city？”

“Yes,sire,since yesterday.”

“Telegraph hourly to Tomsk,General,and keep me informed of all that occurs.”

“Sire,it shall be done，”answered General Kissoff.

These words were exchanged about two hours after midnight,at the moment when the fete given at the New Palace was at the height of its splendor.

During the whole evening the bands of the Preobra-jensky and Paulowsky regiments had played without cessation polkas,mazurkas,schottisches,and waltzes from among the choicest of their repertoires.Innumerable couples of dancers whirled through the magnificent saloons of the palace,which stood at afew paces only from the“old house of stones”-in former days the scene of so many terrible dramas,the echoes of whose walls were this night awakened by the gay strains of the musicians.

The grand-chamberlain of the court,was,besides,well seconded in his arduous and delicate duties The grand-dukes and their aides-decamp,the chamberlains-in-waiting and other officers of the palace,presided personally in the arrangement of the dances.The grand duchesses,covered with diamonds,the ladies-in-waiting in their most exquisite costumes,set the example to the wives of the military and civil dignitaries of the ancient“city of white stone.”When,therefore,the signal for the“polonaise”resounded through the saloons,and the guests of all ranks took part in that measured promenade,which on occasions of this kind has all the importance of a national dance,the mingled costumes,the sweeping robes adorned with lace,and uniforms covered with orders,presented a scene of dazzling splendor,lighted by hundreds of lusters multiplied tenfold by the numerous mirrors adorning the walls.

The grand saloon,the finest of all those contained in the New Palace,formed to this procession of exalted personages and splendidly dressed women a frame worthy of the magnificence they displayed.The rich ceiling,with its gilding already softened by the touch of time,appeared as if glittering with stars.The embroidered drapery of the curtains and doors,falling in gorgeous folds,assumed rich and varied hues,broken by the shadows of the heavy masses of damask.

Through the panes of the vast semicircular bay-windows the light,with which the saloons were filled,shone forth with the brilliancy of a conflagration,vividly illuminating the gloom in which for some hours the palace had been shrouded.The attention of those of the guests not taking part in the dancing was attracted by the contrast.Resting in the recesses of the windows,they could discern,standing out dimly in the darkness,the vague outlines of the countless towers,domes,and spires which adorn the ancient city.Below the sculptured balconies were visible numerous sentries,pacing silently up and down,their rifles carried horizontally on the shoulder,and the spikes of their helmets glittering like flames in the glare of light issuing from the palace.The steps also of the patrols could be heard beating time on the stones beneathwith even more regularity than the feet of the dancers on the floor of the saloon.From time to time the watchword was repeated from post to post,and occasionally the notes of a trumpet,mingling with the strains of the orchestra,penetrated into their midst.Still farther down,in front Of the facade,dark masses obscured the rays of fight which proceeded from the windows of the New Palace.These were boats descending the course of a river,whose waters,faintly illumined by a few lamps,washed the lower portion of the terraces.

The principal personage who has been mentioned,the giver of the fete,and to whom General Kissoff had been speaking in that tone of respect with which sovereigns alone are usually addressed,wore the simple uniform of an officer of chasseurs of the guard.This was no affectation on his part,but the custom of a man who cared little for dress,his contrasting strongly with the gorgeous costumes amid which he moved,encircled by his escort of Georgians,Cossacks,and Circassians-a brilliant band,splendidly clad in the glittering uniforms of the Caucasus.

This personage,of lofty stature,affable demeanor,and physiognomy calm,though bearing traces of anxiety,moved from group to group,seldom speaking,and appearing to pay but little attention either to the merriment of the younger guests or the graver remarks of the exalted dignitaries or members of the diplomatic corps who represented at the Russian court the principal governments of Europe.Two or three of these astute politicians-physiognomists by virtue of their profession-failed not to detect on the countenance of their host symptoms of disquietude,the source of which eluded their penetration；but none ventured to interrogate him on the subject.

It was evidently the intention of the officer of chasseurs that his own anxieties should in no way cast a shade over the festivities；and,as he was a personage whom almost the population of a world in itself was wont to obey,the gayety of the ball was not for a moment checked.

Nevertheless,General Kissoff waited until the officer to whom he had just communicated the dispatch forwarded from Tomsk should give him permission to withdraw；but the latter still remained silent.He had taken the telegram,he had read it carefully,and his visage became even more clouded than before.Involuntarily he sought the hilt of his sword,and then passed his hand for aninstant before his eyes,as though,dazzled by the brilliancy of the light,he wished to shade them,the better to see into the recesses of his own mind.

“We are,then，”he continued,after having drawn General Kissoff aside towards a window，“since yesterday without intelligence from the Grand Duke？”

“Without any,sire；and it is to be feared that in a short time dispatches will no longer cross the Siberian frontier.”

“But have not the troops of the provinces of Amoor and Irkutsk,as those also of the TransBalkan territory,received orders to march immediately upon Irkutsk？”

“The orders were transmitted by the last telegram we were able to send beyond Lake Baikal.”

“And the governments of Yeniseisk,Omsk,Semipolatinsk,and Tobolsk-are we still in direct communication with them as before the insurrection？”

“Yes,sire；our dispatches have reached them,and we are assured at the present moment that the Tartars have not advanced beyond the Irtish and the Obi.”

“And the traitor Ivan Ogareff,are there no tidings of him？”

“None，”replied General Kissoff.“The head of the police cannot state whether or not he has crossed the frontier.”

“Let a description of him be immediately dispatched to Nijni-Novgorod,Perm,Ekaterenburg,Kasirnov,Tioumen,Ishim,Omsk,Tomsk,and to all the telegraphic stations with which communication is yet open.”

“Your majesty’s orders shall be instantly carried out.”

“You will observe the strictest silence as to this.”

The General,having made a sign of respectful assent,bowing low,mingled with the crowd,and finally left the apartments without his departure being remarked.

The officer remained absorbed in thought for a few moments,when,recovering himself,he went among the various groups in the saloon,his countenance reassuming that calm aspect which had for an instant been disturbed.

Nevertheless,the important occurrence which had occasioned theserapidly exchanged words was not so unknown as the officer of the chasseurs of the guard and General Kissoff had possibly supposed.It was not spoken of officially,it is true,nor even officiously,since tongues were not free；but a few exalted personages had been informed,more or less exactly,of the events which had taken place beyond the frontier.At any rate,that which was only slightly known,that which was not matter of conversation even between members of the corps diplomatique,two guests,distinguished by no uniform,no decoration,at this reception in the New Palace,discussed in a low voice,and with apparently very correct information.

By what means,by the exercise of what acuteness had these two ordinary mortals ascertained that which so many persons of the highest rank and importance scarcely even suspected？It is impossible to say.Had they the gifts of foreknowledge and foresight？Did they possess a supplementary sense,which enabled them to see beyond that limited horizon which bounds all human gaze？Had they obtained a peculiar power of divining the most secret events？Was it owing to the habit,now become a second nature,of living on information,that their mental constitution had thus become really transformed？It was difficult to escape from this conclusion.

Of these two men,the one was English,the other French；both were tall and thin,but the latter was sallow as are the southern Provencals,while the former was ruddy like a Lancashire gentleman.The Anglo-Norman,formal,cold,grave,parsimonious of gestures and words,appeared only to speak or gesticulate under the influence of a spring operating at regular intervals.The Gaul,on the contrary,lively and petulant,expressed himself with lips,eyes,hands,all at once,having twenty different ways of explaining his thoughts,whereas his interlocutor seemed to have only one,immutably stereotyped on his brain.

The strong contrast they presented would at once have struck the most superficial observer；but a physiognomist,regarding them closely,would have defined their particular characteristics by saying,that if the Frenchman was“all eyes，”the Englishman was“all ears.”

In fact,the visual apparatus of the one had been singularly perfected by practice.The sensibility of its retina must have been as instantaneous as that ofthose conjurors who recognize a card merely by a rapid movement in cutting the pack or by the arrangement only of marks invisible to others.The Frenchman indeed possessed in the highest degree what may be called“the memory of the eye.”

The Englishman,on the contrary,appeared especially organized to listen and to hear.When his aural apparatus had been once struck by the sound of a voice he could not forget it,and after ten or even twenty years he would have recognized it among a thousand.His ears,to be sure,had not the power of moving as freely as those of animals who are provided with large auditory flaps；but,since scientific men know that human ears possess,in fact,a very limited power of movement,we should not be far wrong in affirming that those of the said Englishman became erect,and turned in all directions while endeavoring to gather in the sounds,in a manner apparent only to the naturalist.It must be observed that this perfection of sight and hearing was of wonderful assistance to these two men in their vocation,for the Englishman acted as correspondent of the Daily Telegraph,and the Frenchman,as correspondent of what newspaper,or of what newspapers,he did not say；and when asked,he replied in a jocular manner that he corresponded with“his cousin Madeleine.”This Frenchman,however,neath his careless surface,was wonderfully shrewd and sagacious.Even while speaking at random,perhaps the better to hide his desire to learn,he never forgot himself.His loquacity even helped him to conceal his thoughts,and he was perhaps even more discreet than his confrere of the Daily Telegraph.Both were present at this fete given at the New Palace on the night of the 15th of July in their character of reporters.

It is needless to say that these two men were devoted to their mission in the world-that they delighted to throw themselves in the track of the most unexpected intelligence-that nothing terrified or discouraged them from succeeding-that they possessed the imperturbable sang froid and the genuine intrepidity of men of their calling.Enthusiastic jockeys in this steeplechase,this hunt after information,they leaped hedges,crossed rivers,sprang over fences,with the ardor of pure-blooded racers,who will run“a good first”or die！

Their journals did not restrict them with regard to money-the surest,themost rapid,the most perfect element of information known to this day.It must also be added,to their honor,that neither the one nor the other ever looked over or listened at the walls of private life,and that they only exercised their vocation when political or social interests were at stake.In a word,they made what has been for some years called“the great political and military reports.”

It will be seen,in following them,that they had gene rally an independent mode of viewing events,and,above all,their consequences,each having his own way of observing and appreciating.

The French correspondent was named Alcide Jolivet.Harry Blount was the name of the Englishman.They had just met for the first time at this fete in the New Palace,of which they had been ordered to give an account in their papers.The dissimilarity of their characters,added to a certain amount of jealousy,which generally exists between rivals in the same calling,might have rendered them but little sympathetic.However,they did not avoid each other,but endeavored rather to exchange with each other the chat of the day.They were sportsmen,after all,hunting on the same ground.That which one missed might be advantageously secured by the other,and it was to their interest to meet and converse.

This evening they were both on the look out；they felt,in fact,that there was something in the air.

“Even should it be only a wildgoose chase，”said Alcide Jolivet to himself，“it may be worth powder and shot.”

The two correspondents therefore began by cautiously sounding each other.

“Really,my dear sir,this little fete is charming！”said Alcide Jolivet pleasantly,thinking himself obliged to begin the conversation with this eminently French phrase.

“I have telegraphed already，‘splendid！’”replied Harry Blount calmly,employing the word specially devoted to expressing admiration by all subjects of the United Kingdom.

“Nevertheless，”added Alcide Jolivet，“I felt compelled to remark to my cousin—”

“Your cousin？”repeated Harry Blount in a tone of surprise,interruptinghis brother of the pen.

“Yes，”returned Alcide Jolivet，“my cousin Madeleine.It is with her that I correspond,and she likes to be quickly and well informed,does my cousin.I therefore remarked to her that,during this fete,a sort of cloud had appeared to overshadow the sovereign’s brow.”

“To me,it seemed radiant，”replied Harry Blount,who perhaps,wished to conceal his real opinion on this topic.

“And,naturally,you made it‘radiant，’in the columns of the Daily Telegraph.”

“Exactly.”

“Do you remember,Mr.Blount,what occurred at Zakret in 1812？”

“I remember it as well as if I had been there,sir，”replied the English correspondent.

“Then，”continued Alcide Jolivet，“you know that,in the middle of a fete given in his honor,it was announced to the Emperor Alexander that Napoleon had just crossed the Niemen with the vanguard of the French army.Nevertheless the Emperor did not leave the fete,and notwithstanding the extreme gravity of intelligence which might cost him his empire,he did not allow himself to show more uneasiness.”

“Than our host exhibited when General Kissoff informed him that the telegraphic wires had just been cut between the frontier and the government of Irkutsk.”

“Ah！you are aware of that？”

“I am！”

“As regards myself,it would be difficult to avoid knowing it,since my last telegram reached Udinsk，”observed Alcide Jolivet,with some satisfaction.

“And mine only as far as Krasnoiarsk，”answered Harry Blount,in a no less satisfied tone.

“Then you know also that orders have been sent to the troops of Nikolaevsk？”

“I do,sir；and at the same time a telegram was sent to the Cossacks of the government of Tobolsk to concentrate their forces.”

“Nothing can be more true,Mr.Blount；I was equally well acquainted withthese measures,and you may be sure that my dear cousin shall know of them tomorrow.”

“Exactly as the readers of the Daily Telegraph shall know it also,M.Jolivet.”

“Well,when one sees all that is going on.……”

“And when one hears all that is said.……”

“An interesting campaign to follow,Mr.Blount.”

“I shall follow it,M.Jolivet！”

“Then it is possible that we shall find ourselves on ground less safe,perhaps,than the floor of this ball-room.”

“Less safe,certainly,but-”

“But much less slippery，”added Alcide Jolivet,holding up his companion,just as the latter,drawing back,was about to lose his equilibrium.

Thereupon the two correspondents separated,pleased that the one had not stolen a march on the other.

At that moment the doors of the rooms adjoining the great reception saloon were thrown open,disclosing to view several immense tables beautifully laid out,and groaning under a profusion of valuable china and gold plate.On the central table,reserved for the princes,princesses,and members of the corps diplomatique,glittered an epergne of inestimable price,brought from London,and around this chef-d’oeuvre of chased gold reflected under the light of the lusters a thousand pieces of most beautiful service from the manufactories of Sevres.

The guests of the New Palace immediately began to stream towards the supper-rooms.

At that moment.General Kissoff,who had just re-entered quickly approached the officer of chasseurs.

“Well？”asked the latter abruptly,as he had done the former time.

“Telegrams pass Tomsk no longer,sire.”

“A courier this moment！”

The officer left the hall and entered a large antechamber adjoining.It was a cabinet with plain oak furniture,situated in an angle of the New Palace.Several pictures,amongst others some by Horace Vernet,hung on the wall.

The officer hastily opened a window,as if he felt the want of air,and stepped out on a balcony to breathe the pure atmosphere of a lovely July night.Beneath his eyes,bathed in moonlight,lay a fortified inclosure,from which rose two cathedrals,three palaces,and an arsenal.Around this inclosure could be seen three distinct towns：Kitai-Gorod,Beloi-Gorod,Zemlianai-Gorod-European,Tartar,and Chinese quarters of great extent,commanded by towers,belfries,minarets,and the cupolas of three hundred churches,with green domes,surmounted by the silver cross.A little winding river,here and there reflected the rays of the moon.

This river was the Moskowa；the town Moscow；the fortified inclosure the Kremlin；and the officer of chasseurs of the guard,who,with folded arms and thoughtful brow,was listening dreamily to the sounds floating from the New Palace over the old Muscovite city,was the Czar.第二章　俄国人和鞑靼人导读

沙皇和将军现在处理的是发生在乌拉尔山边的暴乱，西伯利亚各自治省正试图脱离俄罗斯的统治。

西伯利亚面积一百七十九万平方公里，人口二百万，秋那江将其一分为二，由两个总督管理。

西伯利亚的地下矿产资源丰富，但没有铁路，一条长达八千多俄里的电报线路将东西地区连接起来。现在电报线被截断了，沙皇命令派一个信使把信息传过去。

警察局长过来向沙皇汇报伊万·奥加勒夫的情况：他是一个非常精明的军官，上校军衔，并有很大的野心；因参与了一些阴谋，两年前被大公殿下革职，流放到了西伯利亚。

半年后伊万·奥加勒夫回到了俄罗斯，后来他又自愿去了西伯利亚，最后到了彼尔姆省府的彼尔姆城。后来离开彼尔姆城后就没了消息。

沙皇告诉警察局长：伊万·奥加勒夫越过了乌拉尔山脉，在西伯利亚大草原上煽动游牧民叛乱；后来又继续南下，在布哈拉、浩罕和昆杜斯三个汗国找到一些鞑靼人的首领，参与了他们对俄罗斯的密谋。现在暴动开始了，电报线被他们切断了，伊万·奥加勒夫想报仇杀死大公殿下。

现在各省的军队已经调动起来，但到达乌拉尔山需要几个星期的时间。虽然大公知道这些消息，但他不知道伊万·奥加勒夫这个叛徒，并且不认识他；而伊万·奥加勒夫将去伊尔库茨克化名为大公效力，等鞑靼人到时再叛变。所以当务之急是派信使去传递消息。

沙皇担心吉尔吉斯人参加到入侵的行列。他们有二百万人，一部分是独立的，一部分受俄罗斯的统治，一部分受土耳其斯坦的统治。说不定吉尔吉斯的统治者“大苏丹”已自愿或不自愿地处于鞑靼人的统治之下了。

鞑靼人分为高加索人种和蒙古人种，现在威胁俄罗斯的是高加索人种。他们将土耳其斯坦分成不同的汗国，由可汗来统治。最厉害的要属费奥法领导的布哈拉汗国。他们有二百五十万人，还有六万军队、三万骑兵，战时军队人数可扩至三倍。

野心勃勃的伊万·奥加勒夫由于心怀仇恨，他煽动了布哈拉的可汗们把军队逼到了俄罗斯的边境以西，一路上烧杀抢掠，好多部落都归顺到他的旗下。

现在一切联络都中断了，没人知道俄罗斯的军队撤退到了什么地方，也联系不上大公，无法告诉他所面临的危险。只有派一名信使，穿越叛乱分子控制的五千多俄里的地带，到达伊尔库茨克，把消息传给大公。he czar had not so suddenly left the ballroom of the New Palace,when the fete he was giving to the civil and military Tauthorities and principal people of Moscow was at the height of its brilliancy,without ample cause；for he had just received information that serious events were taking place beyond the frontiers of the Ural.It had become evident that a formidable rebellion threatened to wrest the Siberian provinces from the Russian crown.

Asiatic Russia,or Siberia,covers a superficial area of 1，790，208 square miles,and contains nearly two millions of inhabitants.Extending from the Ural Mountains,which separate it from Russia in Europe,to the shores of the Pacific Ocean,it is bounded on the south by Turkestan and the Chinese Empire；on the north by the Arctic Ocean,from the Sea of Kara to Behring’s Straits.It is divided into several governments or provinces,those of Tobolsk,Yeniseisk,Irkutsk,Omsk,and Yakutsk；contains two districts,Okhotsk and Kamtschatka；and possesses two countries,now under the Muscovite dominion-that of the Kirghiz and that of the Tshouktshes.This immense extent of steppes,which includes more than one hundred and ten degrees from west to east,is a land to which criminals and political offenders are banished.

Two governor-generals represent the supreme authority of the Czar over this vast country.The higher one resides at Irkutsk,the far capital of Eastern Siberia.The River Tchouna separates the two Siberias.

No rail yet furrows these wide plains,some of which are in reality extremely fertile.No iron ways lead from those precious mines which make the Siberian soil far richer below than above its surface.The traveler journeys in summer in a kibick or telga；in winters,in a sledge.

An electric telegraph,with a single wire more than eight thousand versts in length,alone affords communication between the western and eastern frontiers of Siberia.On issuing from the Ural,it passes through Ekaterenburg,Kasirnov,Tioumen,Ishim,Omsk,Elamsk,Kolyvan,Tomsk,Krasnoiarsk,Nijni-Udinsk,Irkutsk,Verkne-Nertschink,Strelink,Albazine,Blagowstenks,Radde,Orlomskaya,Alexandrowskoe,and Nikolaevsk；and six roubles and nineteen copecks are paid for every word sent from one end to the other.From Irkutsk there is a branch to Kiatka,on the Mongolian frontier；and from thence,for thirty copecks a word,the post conveys the dispatches to Pekin in a fortnight.

It was this wire,extending from Ekaterenburg to Nikolaevsk,which had been cut,first beyond Tomsk,and then between Tomsk and Kolyvan.

This was why the Czar,to the communication made to him for the second time by General Kissoff,had answered by the words，“A courier this moment！”

The Czar remained motionless at the window for a few moments,when the door was again opened.The chief of police appeared on the threshold.

“Enter,General，”said the Czar briefly，“and tell me all you know of Ivan Ogareff.”

“He is an extremely dangerous man,sire，”replied the chief of police.

“He ranked as colonel,did he not？”

“Yes,sire.”

“Was he an intelligent officer？”

“Very intelligent,but a man whose spirit it was impossible to subdue；and possessing an ambition which stopped at nothing,he became involved in secret intrigues,and was degraded from his rank by his Highness the Grand Duke,and exiled to Siberia.”

“How long ago was that？”

“Two years since.Pardoned after six months of exile by your majesty’s favor,he returned to Russia.”

“And since that time,has he not revisited Siberia？”

“Yes,sire；but he voluntarily returned there，”replied the chief of police,adding,and slightly lowering his voice，“there was a time,sire,when NONE returned from Siberia.”

“Well,whilst I live,Siberia is and shall be a country whence men CAN return.”

The Czar had the right to utter these words with some pride,for often,by his clemency,he had shown that Russian justice knew how to pardon.

The head of the police did not reply to this observation,but it was evident that he did not approve of such half-measures.According to his idea,a man who had once passed the Ural Mountains in charge of policemen,ought never again to cross them.Now,it was not thus under the new reign,and the chief of police sincerely deplored it.What！no banishment for life for other crimes than those against social order！What！political exiles returning from Tobolsk,from Yakutsk,from Irkutsk！In truth,the chief of police,accustomed to the despotic sentences of the ukase which formerly never pardoned,could not understand this mode of governing.But he was silent,waiting until the Czar should interrogate him further.The questions were not long in coming.

“Did not Ivan Ogareff，”asked the Czar，“return to Russia a second time,after that journey through the Siberian provinces,the object of which remains unknown？”

“He did.”

“And have the police lost trace of him since？”

“No,sire；for an offender only becomes really dangerous from the day he has received his pardon.”

The Czar frowned.Perhaps the chief of police feared that he had gone rather too far,though the stubbornness of his ideas was at least equal to the boundless devotion he felt for his master.But the Czar,disdaining to reply to these indirect reproaches cast on his policy,continued his questions.“Where was Ogareff last heard of？”

“In the province of Perm.”

“In what town？”

“At Perm itself.”

“What was he doing？”

“He appeared unoccupied,and there was nothing suspicious in his conduct.”

“Then he was not under the surveillance of the secret police？”

“No,sire.”

“When did he leave Perm？”

“About the month of March？”

“To go……？”

“Where,is unknown.”

“And it is not known what has become of him？”

“No,sire；it is not known.”

“Well,then,I myself know，”answered the Czar.“I have received anonymous communications which did not pass through the police department；and,in the face of events now taking place beyond the frontier,I have every reason to believe that they are correct.”

“Do you mean,sire，”cried the chief of police，“that Ivan Ogareff has a hand in this Tartar rebellion？”

“Indeed I do；and I will now tell you something which you are ignorant of.After leaving Perm,Ivan Ogareff crossed the Ural mountains,entered Siberia,and penetrated the Kirghiz steppes,and there endeavored,not without success,to foment rebellion amongst their nomadic population.He then went so far south as free Turkestan；there,in the provinces of Bokhara,Khokhand,and Koondooz,he found chiefs willing to pour their Tartar hordes into Siberia,and excite a general rising in Asiatic Russia.The storm has been silently gathering,but it has at last burst like a thunderclap,and now all means of communication between Eastern and Western Siberia have been stopped.Moreover,Ivan Ogareff,thirsting for vengeance,aims at the life of my brother！”

The Czar had become excited whilst speaking,and now paced up and down with hurried steps.The chief of police said nothing,but he thought to himself that,during the time when the emperors of Russia never pardoned an exile,schemes such as those of Ivan Ogareff could never have been realized.Approaching the Czar,who had thrown himself into an armchair,he asked，“Your majesty has of course given orders so that this rebellion may besuppressed as soon as possible？”

“Yes，”answered the Czar.“The last telegram which reached Nijni-Udinsk would set in motion the troops in the governments of Yenisei,Irkutsk,Yakutsk,as well as those in the provinces of the Amoor and Lake Baikal.At the same time,the regiments from Perm and Nijni-Novgorod,and the Cossacks from the frontier,are advancing by forced marches towards the Ural Mountains；but some weeks must pass before they can attack the Tartars.”

“And your majesty’s brother,his Highness the Grand Duke,is now isolated in the government of Irkutsk,and is no longer in direct communication with Moscow？”

“That is so.”

“But by the last dispatches,he must know what measures have been taken by your majesty,and what help he may expect from the governments nearest Irkutsk？”

“He knows that，”answered the Czar；“but what he does not know is,that Ivan Ogareff,as well as being a rebel,is also playing the part of a traitor,and that in him he has a personal and bitter enemy.It is to the Grand Duke that Ogareff owes his first disgrace；and what is more serious is,that this man is not known to him.Ogareff’s plan,therefore,is to go to Irkutsk,and,under an assumed name,offer his services to the Grand Duke.Then,after gaining his confidence,when the Tartars have invested Irkutsk,he will betray the town,and with it my brother,whose life he seeks.This is what I have learned from my secret intelligence；this is what the Grand Duke does not know；and this is what he must know！”

“Well,sire,an intelligent,courageous courier.……”

“I momentarily expect one.”

“And it is to be hoped he will be expeditious，”added the chief of police；“for,allow me to add,sire,that Siberia is a favorable land for rebellions.”

“Do you mean to say.General,that the exiles would make common cause with the rebels？”exclaimed the Czar.

“Excuse me,your majesty，”stammered the chief of police,for that was really the idea suggested to him by his uneasy and suspicious mind.

“I believe in their patriotism，”returned the Czar.

“There are other offenders besides political exiles in Siberia，”said the chief of police.

“The criminals？Oh,General,I give those up to you！They are the vilest,I grant,of the human race.They belong to no country.But the insurrection,or rather,the rebellion,is not to oppose the emperor；it is raised against Russia,against the country which the exiles have not lost all hope of again seeing-and which they will see again.No,a Russian would never unite with a Tartar,to weaken,were it only for an hour,the Muscovite power！”

The Czar was right in trusting to the patriotism of those whom his policy kept,for a time,at a distance.Clemency,which was the foundation of his justice,when he could himself direct its effects,the modifications he had adopted with regard to applications for the formerly terrible ukases,warranted the belief that he was not mistaken.But even without this powerful element of success in regard to the Tartar rebellion,circumstances were not the less very serious；for it was to be feared that a large part of the Kirghiz population would join the rebels.

The Kirghiz are divided into three hordes,the greater,the lesser,and the middle,and number nearly four hundred thousand“tents，”or two million souls.Of the different tribes some are independent and others recognize either the sovereignty of Russia or that of the Khans of Khiva,Khokhand,and Bokhara,the most formidable chiefs of Turkestan.The middle horde,the richest,is also the largest,and its encampments occupy all the space between the rivers Sara Sou,Irtish,and the Upper Ishim,Lake Saisang and Lake Aksakal.The greater horde,occupying the countries situated to the east of the middle one,extends as far as the governments of Omsk and Tobolsk.Therefore,if the Kirghiz population should rise,it would be the rebellion of Asiatic Russia,and the first thing would be the separation of Siberia,to the east of the Yenisei.

It is true that these Kirghiz,mere novices in the art of war,are rather nocturnal thieves and plunderers of caravans than regular soldiers.As M.Levchine says，“a firm front or a square of good infantry could repel ten times the number of Kirghiz；and a single cannon might destroy a frightful number.”

That may be；but to do this it is necessary for the square of good infantry to reach the rebellious country,and the cannon to leave the arsenals of the Russian provinces,perhaps two or three thousand versts distant.Now,except by the direct route from Ekaterenburg to Irkutsk,the often marshy steppes are not easily practicable,and some weeks must certainly pass before the Russian troops could reach the Tartar hordes.

Omsk is the center of that military organization of Western Siberia which is intended to overawe the Kirghiz population.Here“are the bounds,more than once infringed by the half-subdued nomads,and there was every reason to believe that Omsk was already in danger.The line of military stations,that is to say,those Cossack posts which are ranged in echelon from Omsk to Semipolatinsk,must have been broken in several places.Now,it was to be feared that the“Grand Sultans，”who govern the Kirghiz districts would either voluntarily accept,or involuntarily submit to,the dominion of Tartars,Mussulmen like themselves,and that to the hate caused by slavery was not united the hate due to the antagonism of the Greek and Mussulman religions.For some time,indeed,the Tartars of Turkestan had endeavored,both by force and persuasion,to subdue the Kirghiz hordes.

A few words only with respect to these Tartars.The Tartars belong more especially to two distinct races,the Caucasian and the Mongolian.The Caucasian race,which,as Abel de Remusat says，“is regarded in Europe as the type of beauty in our species,because all the nations in this part of the world have sprung from it，”includes also the Turks and the Persians.The purely Mongolian race comprises the Mongols,Manchoux,and Thibetans.

The Tartars who now threatened the Russian Empire,belonged to the Caucasian race,and occupied Turkestan.This immense country is divided into different states,governed by Khans,and hence termed Khanats.The principal khanats are those of Bokhara,Khokhand,Koondooz,etc.At this period,the most important and the most formidable khanat was that of Bokhara.Russia had already been several times at war with its chiefs,who,for their own interests,had supported the independence of the Kirghiz against the Muscovite dominion.The present chief,Feofar-Khan,followed in the steps of his predecessors.

The khanat of Bokhara has a population of two million five hundred thousand inhabitants,an army of sixty thousand men,trebled in time of war,and thirty thousand horsemen.It is a rich country,with varied animal,vegetable,and mineral products,and has been increased by the accession of the territories of Balkh,Aukoi,and Meimaneh.It possesses nineteen large towns.Bokhara,surrounded by a wall measuring more than eight English miles,and flanked with towers,a glorious city,made illustrious by Avicenna and other learned men of the tenth century,is regarded as the center of Mussulman science,and ranks among the most celebrated cities of Central Asia.Samarcand,which contains the tomb of Tamerlane and the famous palace where the blue stone is kept on which each new khan must seat himself on his accession,is defended by a very strong citadel.Karschi,with its triple cordon,situated in an oasis,surrounded by a marsh peopled with tortoises and lizards,is almost impregnable,Ischardjoui is defended by a population of twenty thousand souls.Protected by its mountains,and isolated by its steppes,the khanat of Bokhara is a most formidable state；and Russia would need a large force to subdue it.

The fierce and ambitious Feofar now governed this corner of Tartary.Relying on the other khans-principally those of Khokhand and Koondooz,cruel and rapacious warriors,all ready to join an enterprise so dear to Tartar instincts-aided by the chiefs who ruled all the hordes of Central Asia,he had placed himself at the head of the rebellion of which Ivan Ogareff was the instigator.This traitor,impelled by insane ambition as much as by hate,had ordered the movement so as to attack Siberia.Mad indeed he was,if he hoped to rupture the Muscovite Empire.Acting under his suggestion,the Emir-which is the title taken by the khans of Bokhara-had poured his hordes over the Russian frontier.He invaded the government of Semipolatinsk,and the Cossacks,who were only in small force there,had been obliged to retire before him.He had advanced farther than Lake Balkhash,gaining over the Kirghiz population on his way.Pillaging,ravaging,enrolling those who submitted,taking prisoners those who resisted,he marched from one town to another,followed by those impedimenta of Oriental sovereignty which may be called his household,his wives and his slaves all with the cool audacity of a modern Ghengiskhan.

It was impossible to ascertain where he now was；how far his soldiers had marched before the news of the rebellion reached Moscow；or to what part of Siberia the Russian troops had been forced to retire.All communication was interrupted.Had the wire between Kolyvan and Tomsk been cut by Tartar scouts,or had the Emir himself arrived at the Yeniseisk provinces？Was all the lower part of Western Siberia in a ferment？Had the rebellion already spread to the eastern regions？No one could say.The only agent which fears neither cold nor heat,which can neither be stopped by the rigors of winter nor the heat of summer,and which flies with the rapidity of lightning-the electric current-was prevented from traversing the steppes,and it was no longer possible to warn the Grand Duke,shut up in Irkutsk,of the danger threatening him from the treason of Ivan Ogareff.

A courier only could supply the place of the interrupted current.It would take this man some time to traverse the five thousand two hundred versts between Moscow and Irkutsk.To pass the ranks of the rebels and invaders he must display almost superhuman courage and intelligence.But with a clear head and a firm heart much can be done.“Shall I be able to find this head and heart？”thought the Czar.第三章　米歇尔·施托戈夫与沙皇见面导读

等了一会儿，基索夫将军向沙皇报告，信使找到了。他来自西伯利亚的鄂木斯克，今年三十岁，能忍受疲劳、饥饿、严寒等痛苦，是沙皇信使团的一名上尉军官，名叫米歇尔·施托戈夫。

沙皇让人叫他进来。一会儿，进来一位高大、健壮，穿着一身军装的军人，他的目光坚定有神，具有一种冷静与勇敢的气质，胸前挂着几枚勋章。

t他的父亲已在十年前去世，母亲还住在鄂木斯克市，他从小跟父亲打猎，练就了坚强、勇敢的性格。很多猎人死在捕杀的第四十头熊的熊掌下，可他捕杀的熊已经超过了四十头。

他二十岁时服兵役加入沙皇信使团，在一次执行任务中立了功，以后地位迅速上升。他的假期从来就是和母亲待在一起。再过几天他就要休假了，现在被带到了沙皇面前。

沙皇走回办公室，向警察局长口述了一封信，之后沙皇在信上签上了他的神圣用语“但愿如此”，并将皇家徽章印在封口上。

沙皇告诉米歇尔·施托戈夫，现在需要他穿过鞑靼人侵略的地区到伊尔库茨克，把信亲自送到大公本人手中；并要求途中不能去看望母亲，以免暴露身份。

米歇尔·施托戈夫发誓，不管什么情况下都不暴露自己的身份和使命，然后向沙皇敬了个军礼，离开了新宫。he door of the imperial cabinet was again opened and General Kissoff was announced.T

“The courier？”inquired the Czar eagerly.

“He is here,sire，”replied General Kissoff.

“Have you found a fitting man？”

“I will answer for him to your majesty.”

“Has he been in the service of the Palace？”

“Yes,sire.”

“You know him？”

“Personally,and at various times he has fulfilled difficult missions with success.”

“Abroad？”

“In Siberia itself.”

“Where does he come from？”

“From Omsk.He is a Siberian.”

“Has he coolness,intelligence,courage？”

“Yes,sire；he has all the qualities necessary to succeed,even where others might possibly fail.”

“What is his age？”

“Thirty.”

“Is he strong and vigorous？”

“Sire,he can bear cold,hunger,thirst,fatigue,to the very last extremities.”

“He must have a frame of iron.”

“Sire,he has.”

“And a heart？”

“A heart of gold.”

“His name？”

“Michael Strogoff.”

“Is he ready to set out？”

“He awaits your majesty’s orders in the guard-room.”

“Let him come in，”said the Czar.

In a few moments Michael Strogoff,the courier,entered the imperial library.He was a tall,vigorous,broad-shouldered,deep-chested man.His powerful head possessed the fine features of the Caucasian race.His well-knit frame seemed built for the performance of feats of strength.It would have been a difficult task to move such a man against his will,for when his feet were once planted on the ground,it was as if they had taken root.As he doffed his Muscovite cap,locks of thick curly hair fell over his broad,massive forehead.When his ordinarily pale face became at all flushed,it arose solely from a more rapid action of the heart.His eyes,of a deep blue,looked with clear,frank,firm gaze.The slightly-contracted eyebrows indicated lofty heroism—“the hero’s cool courage，”according to the definition of the physiologist.He possessed a fine nose,with large nostrils；and a well-shaped mouth,with the slightly-projecting lips which denote a generous and noble heart.

Michael Strogoff had the temperament of the man of action,who does not bite his nails or scratch his head in doubt and indecision.Sparing of gestures as of words,he always stood motionless like a soldier before his superior；but when he moved,his step showed a firmness,a freedom of movement,which proved the confidence and vivacity of his mind.

Michael Strogoff wore a handsome military uniform something resembling that of a lightcavalry officer in the field-boots,spurs,half tightly-fitting trousers,brown pelisse,trimmed with fur and ornamented with yellow braid.On his breast glittered a cross and several medals.

Michael Strogoff belonged to the special corps of the Czar’s couriers,ranking as an officer among those picked men.His most discernible characteristic-particularly in his walk,his face,in the whole man,and which the Czar perceived at a glance-was,that he was“a fulfiller of orders.”He therefore possessed one of the most serviceable qualities in Russia-one which,as the celebrated novelist Tourgueneff says，“will lead to the highest positions in the Muscovite empire.”

In short,if anyone could accomplish this journey from Moscow to Irkutsk,across a rebellious country,surmount obstacles,and brave perils of all sorts,Michael Strogoff was the man.

A circumstance especially favorable to the success of his plan was,that hewas thoroughly acquainted with the country which he was about to traverse,and understood its different dialects-not only from having traveled there before,but because he was of Siberian origin.

His father-old Peter Strogoff,dead ten years since-inhabited the town of Omsk,situated in the government of the same name；and his mother,Marfa Strogoff,lived there still.There,amid the wild steppes of the provinces of Omsk and Tobolsk,had the famous huntsman brought up his son Michael to endure hardship.Peter Strogoff was a huntsman by profession.Summer and winter-in the burning heat,as well as when the cold was sometimes fifty degrees below zero-he scoured the frozen plains,the thickets of birch and larch,the pine forests；setting traps；watching for small game with his gun,and for large game with the spear or knife.The large game was nothing less than the Siberian bear,a formidable and ferocious animal,in size equaling its fellow of the frozen seas.Peter Strogoff had killed more than thirty-nine bears-that is to say,the fortieth had fallen under his blows；and,according to Russian legends,most huntsmen who have been lucky enough up to the thirty-ninth bear,have succumbed to the fortieth.

Peter Strogoff had,however,passed the fatal number without even a scratch.From that time,his son Michael,aged eleven years,never failed to accompany him to the hunt,carrying the ragatina or spear to aid his father,who was armed only with the knife.When he was fourteen,Michael Strogoff had killed his first bear,quite alone-that was nothing；but after stripping it he dragged the gigantic animal’s skin to his father’s house,many versts distant,exhibiting remarkable strength in a boy so young.

This style of life was of great benefit to him,and when he arrived at manhood he could bear any amount of cold,heat,hunger,thirst,or fatigue.Like the Yakout of the northern countries,he was made of iron.He could go four-and-twenty hours without eating,ten nights without sleeping,and could make himself a shelter in the open steppe where others would have been frozen to death.Gifted with marvelous acuteness,guided by the instinct of the Delaware of North America,over the white plain,when every object is hidden in mist,or even in higher latitudes,where the polar night is prolonged for many days,he could find his way when others would have had no idea whither toturn.All his father’s secrets were known to him.He had learnt to read almost imperceptible signs-the forms of icicles,the appearance of the small branches of trees,mists rising far away in the horizon,vague sounds in the air,distant reports,the flight of birds through the foggy atmosphere,a thousand circumstances which are so many words to those who can decipher them.Moreover,tempered by snow like a Damascus blade in the waters of Syria,he had a frame of iron,as General Kissoff had said,and,what was no less true,a heart of gold.

The only sentiment of love felt by Michael Strogoff was that which he entertained for his mother,the aged Marfa,who could never be induced to leave the house of the Strogoffs,at Omsk,on the banks of the lrtish,where the old huntsman and she had lived so long together.When her son left her,he went away with a full heart,but promising to come and see her whenever he could possibly do so；and this promise he had always religiously kept.

When Michael was twenty,it was decided that he should enter the personal service of the Emperor of Russia,in the corps of the couriers of the Czar.The hardy,intelligent,zealous,well-conducted young Siberian first distinguished himself especially,in a journey to the Caucasus,through the midst of a difficult country,ravaged by some restless successors of Schamyl；then later,in an important mission to Petropolowski,in Kamtschatka,the extreme limit of Asiatic Russia.During these long journeys he displayed such marvelous coolness,prudence,and courage,as to gain him the approbation and protection of his chiefs,who rapidly advanced him in his profession.

The furloughs which were his due after these distant missions,he never failed to devote to his old mother.Having been much employed in the south of the empire,he had not seen old Marfa for three years-three ages！—the first time in his life he had been so long absent from her.Now,however,in a few days he would obtain his furlough,and he had accordingly already made preparations for departure for Omsk,when the events which have been related occurred.Michael Strogoff was therefore introduced into the Czar’s presence in complete ignorance of what the emperor expected from him.

The Czar fixed a penetrating look upon him without uttering a word,whilst Michael stood perfectly motionless.

The Czar,apparently satisfied with his scrutiny,motioned to the chief of police to seat himself,and dictated in a low voice a letter of not more than a few lines.

The letter penned,the Czar re-read it attentively,then signed it,preceding his name with the words“Byt po semou，”which,signifying“So be it，”constitutes the decisive formula of the Russian emperors.

The letter was then placed in an envelope,which was sealed with the imperial arms.

The Czar,rising,told Michael Strogoff to draw near.

Michael advanced a few steps,and then stood motionless,ready to answer.

The Czar again looked him full in the face and their eyes met.Then in anabrupt tone，“Thy name？”he asked.

“Michael Strogoff,sire.”

“Thy rank？”

“Captain in the corps of couriers of the Czar.”

“Thou dost know Siberia？”

“I am a Siberian.”

“A native of？”

“Omsk,sire.”

“Hast thou relations there？”

“Yes sire.”

“What relations？”

“My old mother.”

The Czar suspended his questions for a moment.Then,pointing to the letter which he held in his hand，“Here is a letter which I charge thee,Michael Strogoff,to deliver into the hands of the Grand Duke,and to no other but him.”

“I will deliver it,sire.”

“The Grand Duke is at Irkutsk.”

“I will go to Irkutsk.”

“Thou wilt have to traverse a rebellious country,invaded by Tartars,whose interest it will be to intercept this letter.”

“I will traverse it.”

“Above all,beware of the traitor,Ivan Ogareff,who will perhaps meet thee on the way.”

“I will beware of him.”

“Wilt thou pass through Omsk？”

“Sire,that is my route.”

“If thou dost see thy mother,there will be the risk of being recognized.Thou must not see her！”

Michael Strogoff hesitated a moment.

“I will not see her，”said he.

“Swear to me that nothing will make thee acknowledge who thou art,nor whither thou art going.”

“I swear it.”

“Michael Strogoff，”continued the Czar,giving the letter to the young courier，“take this letter；on it depends the safety of all Siberia,and perhaps the life of my brother the Grand Duke.”

“This letter shall be delivered to his Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Then thou wilt pass whatever happens？”

“I shall pass,or they shall kill me.”

“I want thee to live.”

“I shall live,and I shall pass，”answered Michael Strogoff.

The Czar appeared satisfied with Strogoff’s calm and simple answer.

“Go then,Michael Strogoff，”said he；“go for God,for Russia,for my brother,and for myself！”

The courier,having saluted his sovereign,immediately left the imperial cabinet,and,in a few minutes,the New Palace.

“You made a good choice there,General，”said the Czar.

“I think so,sire，”replied General Kissoff；“and your majesty may be sure that Michael Strogoff will do all that a man can do.”

“He is indeed a man，”said the Czar.第四章　从莫斯科到下诺夫哥罗德导读

从莫斯科到伊尔库茨克有三千四百俄里的路程，作为旅行者，米歇尔·施托戈夫很愿意在寒冷的冬季出行，因为那样可以把雪橇作为交通工具，不需要设法渡河。雪橇可以轻快地在冰原上行驶，但现在，他无法选择时间和天气，立即出发了。

他以批发商的身份化名尼古拉·科尔帕诺夫，将军给了他一大笔经费和一张“通行证”，可以一人和多人通行。虽然他可以使用驿站的马匹，但作为普通的商人，只有独自面对旅行中的一切去完成任务。

从莫斯科到边境的一千俄里，他可以乘火车。七月十六日的早晨，他身穿普通的上衣，身藏一把手枪和一把土耳其短刀，上了莫斯科通往下诺夫哥罗德的火车。

火车上的旅客多数都是商人去下诺夫哥罗德参加商品交易会的，是各个地方的人，讲的都是俄语。

商人们在议论着当前的形势及市场的行情，但都很谨慎，小心着车前部的一个外国人。他不时地向乘客提些问题，人们都是含糊地回答他。他不时地将车窗玻璃摇下来，看着外面，又将那些问题写在一个本子上。

这个外国人就是阿尔西德·若利韦，大家都把他看作间谍，所以他得不到一点鞑靼人的消息。

哈里·布朗特不约而同地在另一节车上了车，他很少说话，所以没有引起人们的怀疑。他观察到了商人们对正在发生的事件的关心和中亚贸易问题在过境时所受到的影响。

现在没有伊万·奥加勒夫的行踪，警察局便在每一个火车站安排人员检查，发现可疑旅客便带到警察局进一步审查。

火车在弗拉季米尔车站停了几分钟。一个少女上车坐在了米歇尔施托戈夫对面的空位上。少女大概有十六七岁，穿着简朴大方。但信使看出她的经历已十分丰富了。

途中，少女邻座的一个商人睡着了，头晃来晃去。信使把他叫醒，提醒他注意。商人感到不高兴，但在信使严厉的目光中还是靠到了另一边，少女露出了感动的目光。

火车在一个急转弯的地方发生了震动，冲到了路边的斜坡上。车上的乘客惊慌失措，纷纷往下跳，只有少女和信使镇静地坐在那里。

原来是行李箱的一个轮箍断裂导致列车出轨。一个小时后，火车继续前进，晚上八点半到达了下诺夫哥罗德车站。

下车之前，警察对乘客进行了检查。信使这一节车厢的旅客都顺利通过了检查。少女拿的通行证上有一个独特的图章，她告诉警察要经过彼尔姆去伊尔库茨克。警察告诉她，需要去警察局办签证。

信使感到少女独身前往西伯利亚，怎么去得了呢？这时，车厢门开了。信使还没到她跟前，少女已经消失在人群中。he distance between Moscow and Irkutsk,about to be traversed by Michael Strogoff,was three thousand four hundred miles.Before Tthe telegraph wire extended from the Ural Mountains to the eastern frontier of Siberia,the dispatch service was performed by couriers,those who traveled the most rapidly taking eighteen days to get from Moscow to Irkutsk.But this was the exception,and the journey through Asiatic Russia usually occupied from four to five weeks,even though every available means of transport was placed at the disposal of the Czar’s messengers.

Michael Strogoff was a man who feared neither frost nor snow.He would have preferred traveling during the severe winter season,in order that he might perform the whole distance by sleighs.At that period of the year the difficulties which all other means of locomotion present are greatly diminished,the wide steppes being leveled by snow,while there are no rivers to cross,but simplysheets of glass,over which the sleigh glides rapidly and easily.

Perhaps certain natural phenomena are most to be feared at that time,such as long-continuing and dense fogs,excessive cold,fearfully heavy snow-storms,which sometimes envelop whole caravans and cause their destruction.Hungry wolves also roam over the plain in thousands.But it would have been better for Michael Strogoff to face these risks；for during the winter the Tartar invaders would have been stationed in the towns,any movement of their troops would have been impracticable,and he could consequently have more easily performed his journey.But it was not in his power to choose either weather or time.Whatever the circumstances,he must accept them and set out.

Such were the difficulties which Michael Strogoff boldly confronted and prepared to encounter.

In the first place,he must not travel as a courier of the Czar usually would.No one must even suspect what he really was.Spies swarm in a rebellious country；let him be recognized,and his mission would be in danger.Also,while supplying him with a large sum of money,which was sufficient for his journey,and would facilitate it in some measure,General Kissoff had not given him any document notifying that he was on the Emperor’s service,which is the Sesame par excellence.He contented himself with furnishing him with a“podorojna.”

This podorojna was made out in the name of Nicholas Korpanoff,merchant,living at Irkutsk.It authorized Nicholas Korpanoff to be accompanied by one or more persons,and,moreover,it was,by special notification,made available in the event of the Muscovite government forbidding natives of any other countries to leave Russia.

The podorojna is simply a permission to take post-horses；but Michael Strogoff was not to use it unless he was sure that by so doing he would not excite suspicion as to his mission,that is to say,whilst he was on European territory.The consequence was that in Siberia,whilst traversing the insurgent provinces,he would have no power over the relays,either in the choice of horses in preference to others,or in demanding conveyances for his personal use；neither was Michael Strogoff to forget that he was no longer a courier,but a plain merchant,Nicholas Korpanoff,traveling from Moscow to Irkutsk,and,as such exposed to all the impediments of an ordinary journey.

To pass unknown,more or less rapidly,but to pass somehow,such were the directions he had received.

Thirty years previously,the escort of a traveler of rank consisted of not less than two hundred mounted Cossacks,two hundred foot-soldiers,twenty-five Baskir horsemen,three hundred camels,four hundred horses,twenty-five wagons,two portable boats,and two pieces of cannon.All this was requisite for a journey in Siberia.

Michael Strogoff,however,had neither cannon,nor horsemen,nor foot-soldiers,nor beasts of burden.He would travel in a carriage or on horseback,when he could；on foot,when he could not.

There would be no difficulty in getting over the first thousand miles,the distance between Moscow and the Russian frontier,Railroads,post-carriages,steamboats,relays of horses,were at everyone’s disposal,and consequently at the disposal of the courier of the Czar.

Accordingly,on the morning of the 16th of July,having doffed his uniform,with a knapsack on his back,dressed in the simple Russian costume-tightly-fitting tunic,the traditional belt of the Moujik,wide trousers,gartered at the knees,and high boots-Michael Strogoff arrived at the station in time for the first train.He carried no arms,openly at least,but under his belt was hidden a revolver and in his pocket,one of those large knives,resembling both a cutlass and a yataghan,with which a Siberian hunter can so neatly disembowel a bear,without injuring its precious fur.

A crowd of travelers had collected at the Moscow station.The stations on the Russian railroads are much used as places for meeting,not only by those who are about to proceed by the train,but by friends who come to see them off.The station resembles,from the variety of characters assembled,a small news exchange.

The train in which Michael took his place was to set him down at Nijni-Novgorod.There terminated at that time,the iron road which,uniting Moscow and St.Petersburg,has since been continued to the Russian frontier.It was a journey of under three hundred miles,and the train would accomplish it in ten hours.Once arrived at Nijni-Novgorod,Strogoff would either take the land route or the steamer on the Volga,so as to reach the Ural Mountains as soon aspossible.

Michael Strogoff ensconced himself in his corner,like a worthy citizen whose affairs go well with him,and who endeavors to kill time by sleep.Nevertheless,as he was not alone in his compartment,he slept with one eye open,and listened with both his ears.

In fact,rumor of the rising of the Kirghiz hordes,and of the Tartar invasion had transpired in some degree.The occupants of the carriage,whom chance had made his traveling companions,discussed the subject,though with that caution which has become habitual among Russians,who know that spies are ever on the watch for any treasonable expressions which may be uttered.

These travelers,as well as the large number of persons in the train,were merchants on their way to the celebrated fair of Nijni-Nov gorod；—a very mixed assembly,composed of Jews,Turks,Cossacks,Russians,Georgians,Kalmucks,and others,but nearly all speaking the national tongue.

They discussed the pros and cons of the serious events which were taking place beyond the Ural,and those merchants seemed to fear lest the government should be led to take certain restrictive measures,especially in the provinces bordering on the frontier-measures from which trade would certainly suffer.They apparently thought only of the struggle from the single point of view of their threatened interests.The presence of a private soldier,clad in his uniform-and the importance of a uniform in Russia is great-would have certainly been enough to restrain the merchants’tongues.But in the compartment occupied by Michael Strogoff,there was no one who seemed a military man,and the Czar’s Courier was not the person to betray himself.He listened,then.

“They say that caravan teas are up，”remarked a Persian,known by his cap of Astrakhan fur,and his ample brown robe,worn threadbare by use.

“Oh,there’s no fear of teas falling，”answered an old Jew of sullen aspect.“Those in the market at Nijni-Novgorod will be easily cleared off by the West；but,unfortunately,it won’t be the same with Bokhara carpets.”

“What！are you expecting goods from Bokhara？”asked the Persian.

“No,but from Samarcand,and that is even more exposed.The idea of reckoning on the exports of a country in which the khans are in a state of revolt from Khiva to the Chinese frontier！”

“Well，”replied the Persian，“if the carpets do not arrive,the drafts will not arrive either,I suppose.”

“And the profits,Father Abraham！”exclaimed the little Jew，“do you reckon them as nothing？”

“You are right，”said another；“goods from Central Asia run a great risk in the market,and it will be the same with the tallow and shawls from the East.”

“Why,look out,little father，”said a Russian traveler,in a bantering tone；“you’ll grease your shawls terribly if you mix them up with your tallow.”

“That amuses you，”sharply answered the merchant,who had little relish for that sort of joke.

“Well,if you tear your hair,or if you throw ashes on your head，”replied the traveler，“will that change the course of events？No；no more than the course of the Exchange.”

“One can easily see that you are not a merchant，”observed the little Jew.

“Faith,no,worthy son of Abraham！I sell neither hops,nor eider-down,nor honey,nor wax,nor hemp-seed,nor salt meat,nor caviare,nor wood,nor wool,nor ribbons,nor,hemp,nor flax,nor morocco,nor furs.”

“But do you buy them？”asked the Persian,interrupting the traveler’s list.

“As little as I can,and only for my own private use，”answered the other,with a wink.

“He’s a wag，”said the Jew to the Persian.

“Or a spy，”replied the other,lowering his voice.“We had better take care,and not speak more than necessary.The police are not overparticular in these times,and you never can know with whom you are traveling.”

In another corner of the compartment they were speaking less of mercantile affairs,and more of the Tartar invasion and its annoying consequences.

“All the horses in Siberia will be requisitioned，”said a traveler，“and communication between the different provinces of Central Asia will become very difficult.”

“Is it true，”asked his neighbor，“that the Kirghiz of the middle horde have joined the Tartars？”

“So it is said，”answered the traveler,lowering his voice；“but who canflatter themselves that they know anything really of what is going on in this country？”

“I have heard speak of a concentration of troops on the frontier.The Don Cossacks have already gathered along the course of the Volga,and they are to be opposed to the rebel Kirghiz.”

“If the Kirghiz descend the Irtish,the route to Irkutsk will not be safe，”observed his neighbor.“Besides,yesterday I wanted to send a telegram to Krasnoiarsk,and it could not be forwarded.It’s to be feared that before long the Tartar columns will have isolated Eastern Siberia.”

“In short,little father，”continued the first speaker，“these merchants have good reason for being uneasy about their trade and transactions.After requisitioning the horses,they will take the boats,carriages,every means of transport,until presently no one will be allowed to take even one step in all the empire.”

“I’m much afraid that the Nijni-Novgorod fair won’t end as brilliantly as it has begun，”responded the other,shaking his head.“But the safety and integrity of the Russian territory before everything.Business is business.”

If in this compartment the subject of conversation varied but little-nor did it,indeed,in the other carriages of the train-in all it might have been observed that the talkers used much circumspection.When they did happen to venture out of the region of facts,they never went so far as to attempt to divine the intentions of the Muscovite government,or even to criticize them.

This was especially remarked by a traveler in a carriage at the front part of the train.This person-evidently a stranger-made good use of his eyes,and asked numberless questions,to which he received only evasive answers.Every minute leaning out of the window,which he would keep down,to the great disgust of his fellow-travelers,he lost nothing of the views to the right.He inquired the names of the most insignificant places,their position,what were their commerce,their manufactures,the number of their inhabitants,the average mortality,etc.，and all this he wrote down in a notebook,already full.

This was the correspondent Alcide Jolivet,and the reason of his putting so many insignificant questions was,that amongst the many answers he received,he hoped to find some interesting fact“for his cousin.”But,naturally enough,he was taken for a spy,and not a word treating of the events of the day was uttered in his hearing.

Finding,therefore,that he could learn nothing of the Tartar invasion,he wrote in his book，“Travelers of great discretion.Very close as to political matters.”

Whilst Alcide Jolivet noted down his impressions thus minutely,his confrere,in the same train,traveling for the same object,was devoting himself to the same work of observation in another compartment.Neither of them had seen each other that day at the Moscow station,and they were each ignorant that the other had set out to visit the scene of the war.Harry Blount,speaking little,but listening much,had not inspired his companions with the suspicions which Alcide Jolivet had aroused.He was not taken for a spy,and therefore his neighbors,without constraint,gossiped in his presence,allowing themselves even to go farther than their natural caution would in most cases have allowed them.The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph had thus an opportunity of observing how much recent events preoccupied the merchants of Nijni-Novgorod,and to what a degree the commerce with Central Asia was threatened in its transit.

He therefore noted in his book this perfectly correct observation，“My fellow-travelers extremely anxious.Nothing is talked of but war,and they speak of it,with a freedom which is astonishing,as having broken out between the Volga and the Vistula.”

The readers of the Daily Telegraph would not fail to be as well informed as Alcide Jolivet’s“cousin.”But as Harry Blount,seated at the left of the train,only saw one part of the country,which was hilly,without giving himself the trouble of looking at the right side,which was composed of wide plains,he added,with British assurance，“Country mountainous between Moscow and Wladimir.”

It was evident that the Russian government purposed taking severe measures to guard against any serious eventualities even in the interior of the empire.The rebel lion had not crossed the Siberian frontier,but evil influences might be feared in the Volga provinces,so near to the country of the Kirghiz.

The police had as yet found no traces of Ivan Ogareff.It was not knownwhether the traitor,calling in the foreigner to avenge his personal rancor,had rejoined Feofar-Khan,or whether he was endeavoring to foment a revolt in the government of Nijni-Novgorod,which at this time of year contained a population of such diverse elements.Perhaps among the Persians,Armenians,or Kalmucks,who flocked to the great market,he had agents,instructed to provoke a rising in the interior.All this was possible,especially in such a country as Russia.In fact,this vast empire，4，000，000 square miles in extent,does not possess the homogeneousness of the states of Western Europe.The Russian territory in Europe and Asia contains more than seventy millions of inhabitants.In it thirty different languages are spoken.The Sclavonian race predominates,no doubt,but there are besides Russians,Poles,Lithuanians,Courlanders.Add to these,Finns,Laplanders,Esthonians,several other northern tribes with unpronounceable names,the Permiaks,the Germans,the Greeks,the Tartars,the Caucasian tribes,the Mongol,Kalmuck,Samoid,Kamtschatkan,and Aleutian hordes,and one may understand that the unity of so vast a state must be difficult to maintain,and that it could only be the work of time,aided by the wisdom of many successive rulers.

Be that as it may,Ivan Ogareff had hitherto managed to escape all search,and very probably he might have rejoined the Tartar army.But at every station where the train stopped,inspectors came forward who scrutinized the travelers and subjected them all to a minute examination,as by order of the superintendent of police,these officials were seeking Ivan Ogareff.The government,in fact,believed it to be certain that the traitor had not yet been able to quit European Russia.If there appeared cause to suspect any traveler,he was carried off to explain himself at the police station,and in the meantime the train went on its way,no person troubling himself about the unfortunate one left behind.

With the Russian police,which is very arbitrary,it is absolutely useless to argue.Military rank is conferred on its employees,and they act in military fashion.How can anyone,moreover,help obeying,unhesitatingly,orders which emanate from a monarch who has the right to employ this formula at the head of his ukase：“We,by the grace of God,Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias of Moscow,Kiev,Wladimir,and Novgorod,Czar of Kasan and Astrakhan,Czar of Poland,Czar of Siberia,Czar of the Tauric Chersonese,Seignior of Pskov,Prince of Smolensk,Lithuania,Volkynia,Podolia,and Finland,Prince of Esthonia,Livonia,Courland,and of Semigallia,of Bia-lystok,Karelia,Sougria,Perm,Viatka,Bulgaria,and many other countries；Lord and Sovereign Prince of the territory of Nijni-Novgorod,Tchemigoff,Riazan,Polotsk,Rostov,Jaroslavl,Bielozersk,Oudoria,Obdoria,Kondinia,Vitepsk,and of Mstislaf,Governor of the Hyperborean Regions,Lord of the countries of Iveria,Kartalinia,Grou-zinia,Kabardinia,and Armenia,Hereditary Lord and Suzerain of the Scherkess princes,of those of the mountains,and of others；heir of Norway,Duke of Schleswig-Holstein,Stormarn,Dittmarsen,and Oldenburg.”A powerful lord,in truth,is he whose arms are an eagle with two heads,holding a scepter and a globe,surrounded by the escutcheons of Novgorod,Wladimir,Kiev,Kasan,Astrakhan,and of Siberia,and environed by the collar of the order of St.Andrew,surmounted by a royal crown！

As to Michael Strogoff,his papers were in order,and he was,consequently,free from all police supervision.

At the station of Wladimir the train stopped for several minutes,which appeared sufficient to enable the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph to take a twofold view,physical and moral,and to form a complete estimate of this ancient capital of Russia.

At the Wladimir station fresh travelers joined the train.Among others,a young girl entered the compartment occupied by Michael Strogoff.A vacant place was found opposite the courier.The young girl took it,after placing by her side a modest traveling-bag of red leather,which seemed to constitute all her luggage.Then seating herself with downcast eyes,not even glancing at the fellow-travelers whom chance had given her,she prepared for a journey which was still to last several hours.

Michael Strogoff could not help looking attentively at his newly-arrived fellow-traveler.As she was so placed as to travel with her back to the engine,he even offered her his seat,which he might prefer to her own,but she thanked him with a slight bend of her graceful neck.

The young girl appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years of age.Herhead,truly charming,was of the purest Sclavonic typeslightly severe,and likely in a few summers to unfold into beauty rather than mere prettiness.From beneath a sort of kerchief which she wore on her head escaped in profusion light golden hair.Her eyes were brown,soft,and expressive of much sweetness of temper.The nose was straight,and attached to her pale and somewhat thin cheeks by delicately mobile nostrils.The lips were finely cut,but it seemed as if they had long since forgotten how to smile.

The young traveler was tall and upright,as far as could be judged of her figure from the very simple and ample pelisse that covered her.Although she was still a very young girl in the literal sense of the term,the development of her high forehead and clearly-cut features gave the idea that she was the possessor of great moral energy-a point which did not escape Michael Strogoff.Evidently this young girl had already suffered in the past,and the future doubtless did not present itself to her in glowing colors；but she had surely known how to struggle still with the trials of life.Her energy was evidently both prompt and persistent,and her calmness unalterable,even under circumstances in which a man would be likely to give way or lose his self-command.

Such was the impression which she produced at first sight.Michael Strogoff,being himself of an energetic temperament,was naturally struck by the character of her physiognomy,and,while taking care not to cause her annoyance by a too persistent gaze,he observed his neighbor with no small interest.The costume of the young traveler was both extremely simple and appropriate.She was not rich-that could be easily seen；but not the slightest mark of negligence was to be discerned in her dress.All her luggage was contained in the leather bag which,for want of room,she held on her lap.

She wore a long,dark pelisse,gracefully adjusted at the neck by a blue tie.Under this pelisse,a short skirt,also dark,fell over a robe which reached the ankles.Half-boots of leather,thickly soled,as if chosen in anticipation of a long journey,covered her small feet.

Michael Strogoff fancied that he recognized,by certain details,the fashion of the costume of Livonia,and thought his neighbor a native of the Baltic provinces.

But whither was this young girl going,alone,at an age when the fostering care of a father,or the protection of a brother,is considered a matter of necessity？Had she now come,after an already long journey,from the provinces of Western Russia？Was she merely going to Nijni-Novgorod,or was the end of her travels beyond the eastern frontiers of the empire？Would some relation,some friend,await her arrival by the train？Or was it not more probable,on the contrary,that she would find herself as much isolated in the town as she was in this compartment？It was probable.

In fact,the effect of habits contracted in solitude was clearly manifested in the bearing of the young girl.The manner in which she entered the carriage and prepared herself for the journey,the slight disturbance she caused among those around her,the care she took not to incommode or give trouble to anyone,all showed that she was accustomed to be alone,and to depend on herself only.

Michael Strogoff observed her with interest,but,himself reserved,he sought no opportunity of accosting her.Once only,when her neighbor-the merchant who had jumbled together so imprudently in his remarks tallow and shawls-being asleep,and threatening her with his great head,which was swaying from one shoulder to the other,Michael Strogoff awoke him somewhat roughly,and made him understand that he must hold himself upright.

The merchant,rude enough by nature,grumbled some words against“people who interfere with what does not concern them，”but Michael Strogoff cast on him a glance so stern that the sleeper leant on the opposite side,and relieved the young traveler from his unpleasant vicinity.

The latter looked at the young man for an instant,and mute and modest thanks were in that look.

But a circumstance occurred which gave Strogoff a just idea of the character of the maiden.Twelve versts before arriving at Nijni-Novgorod,at a sharp curve of the iron way,the train experienced a very violent shock.Then,for a minute,it ran onto the slope of an embankment.

Travelers more or less shaken about,cries,confusion,general disorder in the carriages-such was the effect at first produced.It was to be feared thatsome serious accident had happened.Consequently,even before the train had stopped,the doors were opened,and the panic-stricken passengers thought only of getting out of the carriages.

Michael Strogoff thought instantly of the young girl；but,while the passengers in her compartment were precipitating themselves outside,screaming and struggling,she had remained quietly in her place,her face scarcely changed by a slight pallor.

She waited-Michael Strogoff waited also.

Both remained quiet.

“A determined nature！”thought Michael Strogoff.

However,all danger had quickly disappeared.A breakage of the coupling of the luggage-van had first caused the shock to,and then the stoppage of,the train,which in another instant would have been thrown from the top of the embankment into a bog.There was an hour’s delay.At last,the road being cleared,the train proceeded,and at half-past eight in the evening arrived at the station of Nijni-Novgorod.

Before anyone could get out of the carriages,the inspectors of police presented themselves at the doors and examined the passengers.

Michael Strogoff showed his podorojna,made out in the name of Nicholas Korpanoff.He had consequently no difficulty.As to the other travelers in the compartment,all bound for Nijni-Novgorod,their appearance,happily for them,was in nowise suspicious.

The young girl in her turn,exhibited,not a passport,since passports are no longer required in Russia,but a permit indorsed with a private seal,and which seemed to be of a special character.The inspector read the permit with attention.Then,having attentively examined the person whose description it contained：

“You are from Riga？”he said.

“Yes，”replied the young girl.

“You are going to Irkutsk？”

“Yes.”

“By what route？”

“By Perm.”

“Good！”replied the inspector.“Take care to have your permit vised,at thepolice station of Nijni-Novgorod.”

The young girl bent her head in token of assent.

Hearing these questions and replies,Michael Strogoff experienced a mingled sentiment both of surprise and pity.What！this young girl,alone,journeying to that far-off Siberia,and at a time when,to its ordinary dangers,were added all the perils of an invaded country and one in a state of insurrection！How would she reach it？What would become of her？

The inspection ended,the doors of the carriages were then opened,but,before Michael Strogoff could move towards her,the young Livonian,who had been the first to descend,had disappeared in the crowd which thronged the platforms of the railway station.第五章　两个公告导读

位于伏尔加河与奥加河交汇处的下诺夫哥罗德，有三万多人口。由于为期三个星期的交易会，人口增加到平常的十倍，达三十多万人。

下诺夫哥罗德被伏尔加河分成上城和下城两个城市。由于交易会的举行，在城中很难找到一个住处，米歇尔·施托戈夫幸运地在“君士坦丁堡城客栈”找到了一个很体面的房间，并且很快填饱了他饥饿的肚子。

晚餐后，信使没有上楼休息，他继续在城中溜达，心里想着那个利瓦尼亚少女。他担心她在这乱哄哄的城中受到侮辱，担心她一人要穿过那么远的危险地区去伊尔库茨克，担心她的体力有限。路上有那么多的障碍和危险，她恐怕到不了那里。

一个小时后，他坐到一个长椅上。一个男人过来粗鲁地问他在干什么，他生硬地回答了那人。后来想这与自己商人的身份不相符，自己应该小心一点，便后退了十来步。信使发现旁边有一个吉普赛人的马车，从里面出来个女人，让那男人回屋里吃饭。男人告诉女人，明天下午离开，他老人家送我们走，女的感到很吃惊。从谈话中可以听出他们是把信使当成间谍了。

米歇尔·施托戈夫回旅馆睡觉，第二天天亮他就起来了，把印有皇帝徽章的信藏在衣服口袋的深处，结账离开了客栈。他先到汽船公司确定汽船出发时间，还想着那位利瓦尼亚少女一定也会乘坐这条船的。

他来到城外伏尔加河边平原上交易会的举办地点，这里有总督的临时住宅，商品交易会期间总督就住在这里；还有高低不同、形状各异的房子组成的商业区，里面陈列着各种货物。

在交易会的广场上，聚集着唱歌剧的、跳舞的、玩杂技的、算命的等各种艺人；还有带着鸟儿来放飞的，鸟儿在空中发出快乐的鸣叫。

那位法国记者找到了吃饭、睡觉的地方，感到很乐观；而英国记者则相反，他在构思一篇抨击这个城市的文章。

米歇尔·施托戈夫在城中转了两个小时，回到交易会现场，看到来自亚洲邻近地区的商人对形势都很担心。有很多哥萨哥人在帮助警察维持秩序，但看不到军人，这表明事态非常严重。有传言说交易会要关闭了，也有人说鞑靼人已经打到托木斯克了。

这时，警察局长拿着一份电报宣布下诺哥罗德总督令：禁止俄罗斯公民离开本省，而来自亚洲的外国人必须在二十四小时内离开本省。ijni-Novgorod,Lower Novgorod,situate at the junction of the Volga and the Oka,is the chief town in the district of the same name.It Nwas here that Michael Strogoff was obliged to leave the railway,which at the time did not go beyond that town.Thus,as he advanced,his traveling would become first less speedy and then less safe.

Nijni-Novgorod,the fixed population of which is only from thirty to thirty-five thousand inhabitants,contained at that time more than three hundred thousand；that is to say,the population was increased tenfold.This addition was in consequence of the celebrated fair,which was held within the walls for three weeks.Formerly Makariew had the benefit of this concourse of traders,but since 1817 the fair had been removed to Nijni-Novgorod.

Even at the late hour at which Michael Strogoff left the platform,there was still a large number of people in the two towns,separated by the stream of the Volga,which compose Nijni-Novgorod.The highest of these is built on a steep rock and defended by a fort called in Russia“kreml.”

Michael Strogoff expected some trouble in finding a hotel,or even an inn,to suit him.As he had not to start immediately,for he was going to take a steamer,he was compelled to look out for some lodging；but,before doing so,he wished to know exactly the hour at which the steamboat would start.He went to the office of the company whose boats plied between Nijni-Novgorodand Perm.There,to his great annoyance,he found that no boat started for Perm till the following day at twelve o’clock.Seventeen hours to wait！It was very vexatious to a man so pressed for time.However,he never senselessly murmured.Besides,the fact was that no other conveyance could take him so quickly either to Perm or Kasan.It would be better,then,to wait for the steamer,which would enable him to regain lost time.

Here,then,was Michael Strogoff,strolling through the town and quietly looking out for some inn in which to pass the night.However,he troubled himself little on this score,and,but that hunger pressed him,he would probably have wandered on till morning in the streets of Nijni-Novgorod.He was looking for supper rather than a bed.But he found both at the sign of the City of Constantinople.There,the landlord offered him a fairly comfortable room,with little furniture,it is true,but not without an image of the Virgin,and a few saints framed in yellow gauze.

A goose filled with sour stuffing swimming in thick cream,barley bread,some curds,powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon,and a jug of kwass,the ordinary Russian beer,were placed before him,and sufficed to satisfy his hunger.He did justice to the meal,which was more than could be said of his neighbor at table,who,having,in his character of“old believer”of the sect of Raskalniks,made the vow of abstinence,rejected the potatoes in front of him,and carefully refrained from putting sugar in his tea.

His supper finished,Michael Strogoff,instead of going up to his bedroom,again strolled out into the town.But,although the long twilight yet lingered,the crowd was already dispersing,the streets were gradually becoming empty,and at length everyone retired to his dwelling.

Why did not Michael Strogoff go quietly to bed,as would have seemed more reasonable after a long railway journey？Was he thinking of the young Livonian girl who had been his traveling companion？Having nothing better to do,he was thinking of her.Did he fear that,lost in this busy city,she might be exposed to insult？He feared so,and with good reason.Did he hope to meet her,and,if need were,to afford her protection？No.To meet would be difficult.As to protection-what right had he—

“Alone，”he said to himself，“alone,in the midst of these wandering tribes！And yet the present dangers are nothing compared to those she must undergo.Siberia！Irkutsk！I am about to dare all risks for Russia,for the Czar,while she is about to do so-For whom？For what？She is authorized to cross the frontier！The country beyond is in revolt！The steppes are full of Tartar bands！”

Michael Strogoff stopped for an instant,and reflected.

“Without doubt，”thought he，“she must have determined on undertaking her journey before the invasion.Perhaps she is even now ignorant of what is happening.But no,that cannot be；the merchants discussed before her the disturbances in Siberia-and she did not seem surprised.She did not even ask an explanation.She must have known it then,and knowing it,is still resolute.Poor girl！Her motive for the journey must be urgent indeed！But though she may be brave-and she certainly is so-her strength must fail her,and,to say nothing of dangers and obstacles,she will be unable to endure the fatigue of such a journey.Never can she reach Irkutsk！”

Indulging in such reflections,Michael Strogoff wandered on as chance led him；being well acquainted with the town,he knew that he could easily retrace his steps.

Having strolled on for about an hour,he seated himself on a bench against the wall of a large,wooden cottage,which stood,with many others,on a vast open space.He had scarcely been there five minutes when a hand was laid heavily on his shoulder.

“What are you doing here？”roughly demanded a tall and powerful man,who had approached unperceived.

“I am resting，”replied Michael Strogoff.

“Do you mean to stay all night on the bench？”

“Yes,if I feel inclined to do so，”answered Michael Strogoff,in a tone somewhat too sharp for the simple merchant he wished to personate.

“Come forward,then,so I can see you，”said the man.

Michael Strogoff,remembering that,above all,prudence was requisite,instinctively drew back.“It is not necessary，”he replied,and calmly stepped back ten paces.

The man seemed,as Michael observed him well,to have the look of a Bohemian,such as are met at fairs,and with whom contact,either physical ormoral,is unpleasant.Then,as he looked more attentively through the dusk,he perceived,near the cottage,a large caravan,the usual traveling dwelling of the Zingaris or gypsies who swarm in Russia wherever a few copecks can be obtained.

As the gypsy took two or three steps forward,and was about to interrogate Michael Strogoff more closely,the door of the cottage opened.He could just see a woman,who spoke quickly in a language which Michael Strogoff knew to be a mixture of Mongol and Siberian.

“Another spy！Let him alone,and come to supper.The papluka is waiting for you.”

Michael Strogoff could not help smiling at the epithet bestowed on him,dreading spies as he did above all else.

In the same dialect,although his accent was very different,the Bohemian replied in words which signify，“You are right,Sangarre！Besides,we start to-morrow.”

“Tomorrow？”repeated the woman in surprise.

“Yes,Sangarre，”replied the Bohemian；“tomorrow,and the Father himself sends us-where we are going！”

Thereupon the man and woman entered the cottage,and carefully closed the door.

“Good！”said Michael Strogoff,to himself；“if these gipsies do not wish to be understood when they speak before me,they had better use some other language.”

From his Siberian origin,and because he had passed his childhood in the Steppes,Michael Strogoff,it has been said,understood almost all the languages in usage from Tartary to the Sea of ice.As to the exact signification of the words he had heard,he did not trouble his head.For why should it interest him？

It was already late when he thought of returning to his inn to take some repose.He followed,as he did so,the course of the Volga,whose waters were almost hidden under the countless number of boats floating on its bosom.

An hour after,Michael Strogoff was sleeping soundly on one of those Russian beds which always seem so hard to strangers,and on the morrow,the17th of July,he awoke at break of day.

He had still five hours to pass in Nijni-Novgorod；it seemed to him an age.How was he to spend the morning unless in wandering,as he had done the evening before,through the streets？By the time he had finished his breakfast,strapped up his bag,had his podorojna inspected at the police office,he would have nothing to do but start.But he was not a man to lie in bed after the sun had risen；so he rose,dressed himself,placed the letter with the imperial arms on it carefully at the bottom of its usual pocket within the lining of his coat,over which he fastened his belt；he then closed his bag and threw it over his shoulder.This done,he had no wish to return to the City of Constantinople,and intending to breakfast on the bank of the Volga near the wharf,he settled his bill and left the inn.By way of precaution,Michael Strogoff went first to the office of the steam-packet company,and there made sure that the Caucasus would start at the appointed hour.As he did so,the thought for the first time struck him that,since the young Livonian girl was going to Perm,it was very possible that her intention was also to embark in the Caucasus,in which case he should accompany her.

The town above with its kremlin,whose circumference measures two versts,and which resembles that of Moscow,was altogether abandoned.Even the governor did not reside there.But if the town above was like a city of the dead,the town below,at all events,was alive.

Michael Strogoff,having crossed the Volga on a bridge of boats,guarded by mounted Cossacks,reached the square where the evening before he had fallen in with the gipsy camp.This was somewhat outside the town,where the fair of Nijni-Novgorod was held.In a vast plain rose the temporary palace of the governor-general,where by imperial orders that great functionary resided during the whole of the fair,which,thanks to the people who composed it,required an ever-watchful surveillance.

This plain was now covered with booths symmetrically arranged in such a manner as to leave avenues broad enough to allow the crowd to pass without a crush.

Each group of these booths,of all sizes and shapes,formed a separate quarter particularly dedicated to some special branch of commerce.There wasthe iron quarter,the furriers’quarter,the woolen quarter,the quarter of the wood merchants,the weavers’quarter,the dried fish quarter,etc.Some booths were even built of fancy materials,some of bricks of tea,others of masses of salt meat-that is to say,of samples of the goods which the owners thus announced were there to the purchasers-a singular,and somewhat American,mode of advertisement.

In the avenues and long alleys there was already a large assemblage of people-the sun,which had risen at four o’clock,being well above the horizon-an extraordinary mixture of Europeans and Asiatics,talking,wrangling,haranguing,and bargaining.Everything which can be bought or sold seemed to be heaped up in this square.Furs,precious stones,silks,Cashmere shawls,Turkey carpets,weapons from the Caucasus,gauzes from Smyrna and Ispahan.Tiflis armor,caravan teas.European bronzes,Swiss clocks,velvets and silks from Lyons,English cottons,harness,fruits,vegetables,minerals from the Ural,malachite,lapis-lazuli,spices,perfumes,medicinal herbs,wood,tar,rope,horn,pumpkins,water-melons,etc.—all the products of India,China,Persia,from the shores of the Caspian and the Black Sea,from America and Europe,were united at this corner of the globe.

It is scarcely possible truly to portray the moving mass of human beings surging here and there,the excitement,the confusion,the hubbub；demonstrative as were the natives and the inferior classes,they were completely outdone by their visitors.There were merchants from Central Asia,who had occupied a year in escorting their merchandise across its vast plains,and who would not again see their shops and counting-houses for another year to come.In short,of such importance is this fair of Nijni-Novgorod,that the sum total of its transactions amounts yearly to nearly a hundred million dollars.

On one of the open spaces between the quarters of this temporary city were numbers of mountebanks of every description；gypsies from the mountains,telling fortunes to the credulous fools who are ever to be found in such assemblies；Zingaris or Tsiganes-a name which the Russians give to the gypsies who are the descendants of the ancient Copts-singing their wildest melodies and dancing their most original dances；comedians of foreign theaters,acting Shakespeare,adapted to the taste of spectators who crowded to witnessthem.In the long avenues the bear showmen accompanied their four-footed dancers,menageries resounded with the hoarse cries of animals under the influence of the stinging whip or red-hot irons of the tamer；and,besides all these numberless performers,in the middle of the central square,surrounded by a circle four deep of enthusiastic amateurs,was a band of“mariners of the Volga，”sitting on the ground,as on the deck of their vessel,imitating the action of rowing,guided by the stick of the master of the orchestra,the veritable helmsman of this imaginary vessel！A whimsical and pleasing custom！

Suddenly,according to a time-honored observance in the fair of Nijni-Novgorod,above the heads of the vast concourse a flock of birds was allowed to escape from the cages in which they had been brought to the spot.In return for a few copecks charitably offered by some good people,the bird-fanciers opened the prison doors of their captives,who flew out in hundreds,uttering their joyous notes.

It should be mentioned that England and France,at all events,were this year represented at the great fair of Nijni-Novgorod by two of the most distinguished products of modern civilization,Messrs.Harry Blount and Alcide Jolivet.Jolivet,an optimist by nature,found everything agreeable,and as by chance both lodging and food were to his taste,he jotted down in his book some memoranda particularly favorable to the town of Nijni-Novgorod.Blount,on the contrary,having in vain hunted for a supper,had been obliged to find a resting-place in the open air,He therefore looked at it all from another point of view,and was preparing an article of the most withering character against a town in which the landlords of the inns refused to receive travelers who only begged leave to be flayed，“morally and physically.”

Michael Strogoff,one hand in his pocket,the other holding his cherry-stemmed pipe,appeared the most indifferent and least impatient of men；yet,from a certain contraction of his eyebrows every now and then,a careful observer would have seen that he was burning to be off.

For two hours he kept walking about the streets,only to find himself invariably at the fair again.As he passed among the groups of buyers and sellers he discovered that those who came from countries on the confines of Asia manifested great uneasiness.Their trade was visibly suffering.Anothersymptom also was marked.In Russia military uniforms appear on every occasion.Soldiers are wont to mix freely with the crowd,the police agents being almost invariably aided by a number of Cossacks,who,lance on shoulder,keep order in the crowd of three hundred thousand strangers.But on this occasion the soldiers,Cossacks and the rest,did not put in an appearance at the great market.Doubtless,a sudden order to move having been foreseen,they were restricted to their barracks.

Moreover,while no soldiers were to be seen,it was not so with their officers.Since the evening before,aides-decamp,leaving the governor’s palace,galloped in every direction.An unusual movement was going forward which a serious state of affairs could alone account for.There were innumerable couriers on the roads both to Wladimir and to the Ural Mountains.The exchange of telegraphic dispatches with Moscow was incessant.

Michael Strogoff found himself in the central square when the report spread that the head of police had been summoned by a courier to the palace of the governor-general.An important dispatch from Moscow,it was said,was the cause of it.

“The fair is to be closed，”said one.

“The regiment of Nijni-Novgorod has received the route，”declared another.

“They say that the Tartars menace Tomsk！”

“Here is the head of police！”was shouted on every side.A loud clapping of hands was suddenly raised,which subsided by degrees,and finally was succeeded by absolute silence.The head of police arrived in the middle of the central square,and it was seen by all that he held in his hand a dispatch.

Then,in a loud voice,he read the following announcements：

“By order of the Governor of Nijni-Novgorod.

“1st.All Russian subjects are forbidden to quit the province upon any pretext whatsoever.

“2nd.All strangers of Asiatic origin are commanded to leave the province within twenty-four hours.”第六章　哥哥与妹妹导读

总督的禁令宣布了，现在伊万·奥加勒夫如果在省内，那么他要出省就有些困难了。混在商人中的间谍也将要被清除出去。商人们又得拉着货物原路返回了，这对于千里迢迢赶来的艺人们来说，真是一场灾难。

一些人在广场上绝望地哭闹起来，警察马上平息了他们的喧闹声。商人们开始拆除搭起的帐篷。

米歇尔·施托戈夫这时想到昨天晚上在长椅上听到两个吉普赛人的谈话，并且那男的还说“他老人家送我们走”，这不就是指沙皇吗？他想这是他们事先得了消息，还是巧合呢？

这时，他又想起了那位姑娘，想到这姑娘现在被禁止出省了，而即使让她出省，如果她只有一点旅行的费用，也是完不成这样的旅行的。他想自己可以帮助她，而且如果有她在身边，也可以打消别人的疑问，因一个男子单独在外旅行，很容易被怀疑为信使的。

于是，他开始寻找那位少女，可找遍了所有的街区及教堂，都没有找到。十一点了，他到警察局准备去出示他的通行证，那里聚集了很多人，因为离开这里还需要填写一份表格才成。

他利用自己身强体壮的优势挤了进去，对一位警察低声说了句话，并给了警察几个卢布。警察将他领到等候处，然后去通知高级职员。正巧，他看到那位少女失望地坐在长椅上，他走过去，少女看到他，脸上露出了希望。这时，警察回来领他去见警察局长，他跟着警察走了。不到三分钟，手里拿着通行证回来了，见到少女后说道：“妹妹，我们获准继续去伊尔库茨克。”少女马上明白了，拉着他的手离开了警察局。owever disastrous these measures might be to private interests,they were,under the circumstances,perfectly justifiable.H

“All Russian subjects are forbidden to leave the province；”if Ivan Ogareff was still in the province,this would at any rate prevent him,unless with the greatest difficulty,from rejoining Feofar-Khan,and becoming a very formidable lieutenant to the Tartar chief.

“All foreigners of Asiatic origin are ordered to leave the province in four-and-twenty hours；”this would send off in a body all the traders from Central Asia,as well as the bands of Bohemians,gipsies,etc.，having more or less sympathy with the Tartars.So many heads,so many spies-undoubtedly affairs required their expulsion.

It is easy to understand the effect Produced by these two thunder-claps bursting over a town like Nijni-Novgorod,so densely crowded with visitors,and with a commerce so greatly surpassing that of all other places in Russia.The natives whom business called beyond the Siberian frontier could not leave the province for a time at least.The tenor of the first article of the order was express；it admitted of no exception.All private interests must yield to the public weal.As to the second article of the proclamation,the order of expulsion which it contained admitted of no evasion either.It only concerned foreigners of Asiatic origin,but these could do nothing but pack up their merchandise and go back the way they came.As to the mountebanks,of which there were a considerable number,they had nearly a thousand versts to go before they could reach the nearest frontier.For them it was simply misery.

At first there rose against this unusual measure a murmur of protestation,a cry of despair,but this was quickly suppressed by the presence of the Cossacks and agents of police.Immediately,what might be called the exodus from the immense plain began.The awnings in front of the stalls were folded up；the theaters were taken to pieces；the fires were put out；the acrobats’ropes were lowered；the old broken-winded horses of the traveling vans came back from their sheds.Agents and soldiers with whip or stick stimulated the tardy ones,and made nothing of pulling down the tents even before the poor Bohemians had left them.

Under these energetic measures the square of Nijni-Novgorod would,it was evident,be entirely evacuated before the evening,and to the tumult of the great fair would succeed the silence of the desert.

It must again be repeated-for it was a necessary aggravation of these severe measures-that to all those nomads chiefly concerned in the order of expulsion even the steppes of Siberia were forbidden,and they would be obliged to hasten to the south of the Caspian Sea,either to Persia,Turkey,or the plains of Turkestan.The post of the Ural,and the mountains which form,as it were,a prolongation of the river along the Russian frontier,they were not allowed to pass.They were therefore under the necessity of traveling six hundred miles before they could tread a free soil.

Just as the reading of the proclamation by the head of the police came to an end,an idea darted instinctively into the mind of Michael Strogoff.“What a singular,coincidence，”thought he，“between this proclamation expelling all foreigners of Asiatic origin,and the words exchanged last evening between those two gipsies of the Zingari race.‘The Father himself sends us where we wish to go，’that old man said.But‘the Father’is the emperor！He is never called anything else among the people.How could those gipsies have foreseen the measure taken against them？how could they have known it beforehand,and where do they wish to go？Those are suspicious people,and it seems to me that to them the government proclamation must be more useful than injurious.”

But these reflections were completely dispelled by another which drove every other thought out of Michael’s mind.He forgot the Zingaris,their suspicious words,the strange coincidence which resulted from the proclamation.The remembrance of the young Livonian girl suddenly rushed into his mind.“Porr child！”he thought to himself.“She cannot now cross the frontier.”

In truth the young girl was from Riga；she was Livonian,consequently Russian,and now could not leave Russian territory！The permit which had been given her before the new measures had been promulgated was no longer available.All the routes to Siberia had just been pitilessly closed to her,and,whatever the motive taking her to Irkutsk,she was now forbidden to go there.

This thought greatly occupied Michael Strogolf.He said to himself,vaguely at first,that,without neglecting anything of what was due to his important mission,it would perhaps be possible for him to be of some use to this brave girl；and this idea pleased him.Knowing how serious were the dangers which he,an energetic and vigorous man,would have personally to encounter,he could not conceal from himself how infinitely greater they would prove to a young unprotected girl.As she was going to Irkutsk,she would be obliged to follow the same road as himself,she would have to pass through the bands of invaders,as he was about to attempt doing himself.If,moreover,she had at her disposal only the money necessary for a journey taken under ordinary circumstances,how could she manage to accomplish it under conditions which made it not only perilous but expensive？

“Well，”said he，“if she takes the route to Perm,it is nearly impossible but that I shall fall in with her.Then,I will watch over her without her suspecting it；and as she appears to me as anxious as myself to reach Irkutsk,she will cause me no delay.”

But one thought leads to another.Michael Strogoff had till now thought only of doing a kind action；but now another idea flashed into his brain；the question presented itself under quite a new aspect.

“The fact is，”said he to himself，“that I have much more need of her than she can have of me.Her presence will be useful in drawing off suspicion from me.A man traveling alone across the steppe,may be easily guessed to be a courier of the Czar.If,on the contrary,this young girl accompanies me,I shall appear,in the eyes of all,the Nicholas Korpanoff of my podorojna.Therefore,she must accompany me.Therefore,I must find her again at any cost.It is not probable that since yesterday evening she has been able to get a carriage and leave Nijni-Novgorod.I must look for her.And may God guide me！”

Michael left the great square of Nijni-Novgorod,where the tumult produced by the carrying out of the prescribed measures had now reached its height.Recriminations from the banished strangers,shouts from the agents and Cossacks who were using them so brutally,together made an indescribable uproar.The girl for whom he searched could not be there.It was now nineo’clock in the morning.The steamboat did not start till twelve.Michael Strogoff had therefore nearly two hours to employ in searching for her whom he wished to make his traveling companion.

He crossed the Volga again and hunted through the quarters on the other side,where the crowd was much less considerable.He entered the churches,the natural refuge for all who weep,for all who suffer.Nowhere did he meet with the young Livonian.

“And yet，”he repeated，“she could not have left Nijni-Novgorod yet.We’ll have another look.”He wandered about thus for two hours.He went on without stopping,feeling no fatigue,obeying a potent instinct which allowed no room for thought.All was in vain.

It then occurred to him that perhaps the girl had not heard of the order-though this was improbable enough,for such a thunder-clap could not have burst without being heard by all.Evidently interested in knowing the smallest news from Siberia,how could she be ignorant of the measures taken by the governor,measures which concerned her so directly？

But,if she was ignorant of it,she would come in an hour to the quay,and there some merciless agent would refuse her a passage！At any cost,he must see her beforehand,and enable her to avoid such a repulse.

But all his endeavors were in vain,and he at length almost despaired of finding her again.It was eleven o’clock,and Michael thought of presenting his podorojna at the office of the head of police.The proclamation evidently did not concern him,since the emergency had been foreseen for him,but he wished to make sure that nothing would hinder his departure from the town.

Michael then returned to the other side of the Volga,to the quarter in which was the office of the head of police.An immense crowd was collected there；for though all foreigners were ordered to quit the province,they had notwithstanding to go through certain forms before they could depart.

Without this precaution,some Russian more or less implicated in the Tartar movement would have been able,in a disguise,to pass the frontier-just those whom the order wished to prevent going.The strangers were sent away,but still had to gain permission to go.

Mountebanks,gypsies,Tsiganes,Zingaris,mingled with merchants from Persia,Turkey,India,Turkestan,China,filled the court and offices of the police station.

Everyone was in a hurry,for the means of transport would be much sought after among this crowd of banished people,and those who did not set about it soon ran a great risk of not being able to leave the town in the prescribed time,which would expose them to some brutal treatment from the governor’s agents.

Owing to the strength of his elbows Michael was able to cross the court.But to get into the office and up to the clerk’s little window was a much more difficult business.However,a word into an inspector’s ear and a few judiciously given roubles were powerful enough to gain him a passage.The man,after taking him into the waiting-room,went to call an upper clerk.Michael Strogoff would not be long in making everything right with the police and being free in his movements.

Whilst waiting,he looked about him,and what did he see？There,fallen,rather than seated,on a bench,was a girl,prey to a silent despair,although her face could scarcely be seen,the profile alone being visible against the wall.Michael Strogoff could not be mistaken.He instantly recognized the young Livonian.

Not knowing the governor’s orders,she had come to the police office to get her pass signed.They had refused to sign it.No doubt she was authorized to go to Irkutsk,but the order was peremptory-it annulled all previous authorizations,and the routes to Siberia were closed to her.Michael,delighted at having found her again,approached the girl.

She looked up for a moment and her face brightened on recognizing her traveling companion.She instinctively rose and,like a drowning man who clutches at a spar,she was about to ask his help.

At that moment the agent touched Michael on the shoulder，“The head of police will see you，”he said.

“Good，”returned Michael.And without saying a word to her for whom he had been searching all day,without reassuring her by even a gesture,which might compromise either her or himself,he followed the man.

The young Livonian,seeing the only being to whom she could look for help disappear,fell back again on her bench.

Three minutes had not passed before Michael Strogoff reappeared,accompanied by the agent.In his hand he held his podorojna,which threw open the roads to Siberia for him.He again approached the young Livonian,and holding out his hand：“Sister，”said he.

She understood.She rose as if some sudden inspiration prevented her from hesitating a moment.

“Sister，”repeated Michael Strogoff，“we are authorized to continue our journey to Irkutsk.Will you come with me？”

“I will follow you,brother，”replied the girl,putting her hand into that of Michael Strogoff.And together they left the police station.第七章　沿伏尔加河流方向而下导读

接近中午时，上船的钟声敲响了，大家都来到了码头。米歇尔·施托戈夫化名尼古拉·科尔帕诺夫的通行证允许他可有人陪伴，所以皇家警察局担保了他们。他和利瓦尼亚少女顺利登上了“高加索号”汽船，按规定时间起航了。

俄罗斯的河流系统像是一棵大树，伏尔加河就像树干，全部支流都汇入伏尔加河。

汽船顺流走了二百五十俄里后，需从伏尔加河转走乌江，于是便逆流而上。这时的速度每小时不超过十俄里，所以到彼尔姆需要六十多个小时。汽船上有各种各样的人，其中包括一些亚洲的商人。他们把货物堆在底船和甲板上，船头聚集着好多旅客，其中有外国人和俄罗斯人。米歇尔·施托戈夫订了两张一等舱的船票，这样，少女需要安静时就可以回到她自己的船舱。

开船两个小时后，利瓦尼亚少女主动问米歇尔·施托戈夫是去伊尔库茨克吗？在得到了肯定的答复后，她说今天自己累了，明天将告诉他自己的一切，并说自己的名字叫“娜蒂娅”，也知道了“哥哥”的名字叫“尼古拉·科尔帕诺夫。”

送娜蒂娅回到船舱后，米歇尔·施托戈夫来到甲板上，听人们在议论当天的事情，又听到那两位记者在一起勾心斗角、明争暗斗的对话：最后两人达成协议，到达西伯利亚之前，两人互不干涉；到达西伯利亚后，就开始竞争。

午夜时，多数旅客都睡着了，米歇尔·施托戈夫睡不着，在甲板上走来走去。当走到二等舱和三等舱的甲板时，看到上边躺了很多人，都已经睡着了。他小心地走过那里来到船头，忽然，听到附近有人说话，听声音是那晚在贸易会意外遇到的一男一女两个吉普赛人。他们用鞑靼人的方言议论说有信使从莫斯科到伊尔库茨克，但信使或许到不了那里，或许到了也太晚了。听后他吃了一惊，谁会知道他动身了呢？

little before midday,the steamboat’s bell drew to the wharf onthe

Volga an unusually large concourse of people,for not only were A

those about to embark who had intended to go,but the many who were compelled to go contrary to their wishes.The boilers of the Caucasus were under full pressure；a slight smoke issued from its funnel,whilst the end of the escape-pipe and the lids of the valves were crowned with white vapor.It is needless to say that the police kept a close watch over the departure of the Caucasus,and showed themselves pitiless to those travelers who did not satisfactorily answer their questions.

Numerous Cossacks came and went on the quay,ready to assist the agents,but they had not to interfere,as no one ventured to offer the slightest resistance to their orders.Exactly at the hour the last clang of the bell sounded,the powerful wheels of the steamboat began to beat the water,and the Caucasus passed rapidly between the two towns of which Nijni-Novgorod is composed.

Michael Strogoff and the young Livonian had taken a passage on board the Caucasus.Their embarkation was made without any difficulty.As is known,the podorojna,drawn up in the name of Nicholas Korpanoff,authorized this merchant to be accompanied on his journey to Siberia.They appeared,therefore,to be a brother and sister traveling under the protection of the imperial police.Both,seated together at the stern,gazed at the receding town,so disturbed by the governor’s order.Michael had as yet said nothing to the girl,he had not even questioned her.He waited until she should speak to him,when that was necessary.She had been anxious to leave that town,in which,but for the providential intervention of this unexpected protector,she would have remained imprisoned.She said nothing,but her looks spoke her thanks.

The Volga,the Rha of the ancients,the largest river in all Europe,is almostthree thousand miles in length.Its waters,rather unwholesome in its upper part,are improved at Nijni-Novgorod by those of the Oka,a rapid affluent,issuing from the central provinces of Russia.The system of Russian canals and rivers has been justly compared to a gigantic tree whose branches spread over every part of the empire.The Volga forms the trunk of this tree,and it has for roots seventy mouths opening into the Caspian Sea.It is navigable as far as Rjef,a town in the government of Tver,that is,along the greater part of its Course.

The steamboats plying between Perm and Nijni-Novgorod rapidly perform the two hundred and fifty miles which separate this town from the town of Kasan.It is true that these boats have only to descend the Volga,which adds nearly two miles of current per hour to their own speed；but on arriving at the confluence of the Kama,a little below Kasan,they are obliged to quit the Volga for the smaller river,up which they ascend to Perm.Powerful as were her machines,the Caucasus could not thus,after entering the Kama,make against the current more than ten miles an hour.Including an hour’s stoppage at Kasan,the voyage from Nijni-Novgorod to Perm would take from between sixty to sixty-two hours.

The steamer was very well arranged,and the passengers,according to their condition or resources,occupied three distinct classes on board.Michael Strogoff had taken care to engage two first-class cabins,so that his young companion might retire into hers whenever she liked.

The Caucasus was loaded with passengers of every description.A number of Asiatic traders had thought it best to leave Nijni-Novgorod immediately.In that part of the steamer reserved for the first-class might be seen Armenians in long robes and a sort of miter on their heads；Jews,known by their conical caps；rich Chinese in their traditional costume,a very wide blue,Violet,or black robe；Turks,wearing the national turban；Hindoos,with square caps,and a simple string for a girdle,some of whom,hold in their hands all the traffic of Central Asia；and,lastly,Tartars,wearing boots,ornamented with many-colored braid,and the breast a mass of embroidery.All these

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