Previous  - next

"

The words showed the character of the brave girl.

She then spoke of her father, Wassili Fedor. He was a much-esteemed
physician at Riga. But his connection with some secret society having
been asserted, he received orders to start for Irkutsk. The police
who brought the order conducted him without delay beyond the frontier.

Wassili Fedor had but time to embrace his sick wife and his daughter,
so soon to be left alone, when, shedding bitter tears, he was led away.
A year and a half after her husband's departure, Madame Fedor died in
the arms of her daughter, who was thus left alone and almost penniless.
Nadia Fedor then asked, and easily obtained from the Russian government,
an authorization to join her father at Irkutsk. She wrote and told him
she was starting. She had barely enough money for this long journey, and
yet she did not hesitate to undertake it. She would do what she could.
God would do the rest.


CHAPTER IX DAY AND NIGHT IN A TARANTASS

THE next day, the 19th of July, the Caucasus reached Perm,
the last place at which she touched on the Kama.

The government of which Perm is the capital is one of the largest
in the Russian Empire, and, extending over the Ural Mountains,
encroaches on Siberian territory. Marble quarries, mines of salt,
platina, gold, and coal are worked here on a large scale.
Although Perm, by its situation, has become an important town, it is
by no means attractive, being extremely dirty, and without resources.
This want of comfort is of no consequence to those going to Siberia,
for they come from the more civilized districts, and are supplied
with all necessaries.

At Perm travelers from Siberia resell their vehicles,
more or less damaged by the long journey across the plains.
There, too, those passing from Europe to Asia purchase carriages,
or sleighs in the winter season.

Michael Strogoff had already sketched out his programme.
A vehicle carrying the mail usually runs across the Ural Mountains,
but this, of course, was discontinued. Even if it had not been so,
he would not have taken it, as he wished to travel as fast as possible,
without depending on anyone. He wisely preferred to buy a carriage,
and journey by stages, stimulating the zeal of the postillions
by well-applied "na vodkou," or tips.

Unfortunately, in consequence of the measures taken against foreigners
of Asiatic origin, a large number of travelers had already left Perm,
and therefore conveyances were extremely rare. Michael was
obliged to content himself with what had been rejected by others.
As to horses, as long as the Czar's courier was not in Siberia,
he could exhibit his podorojna, and the postmasters would give him
the preference. But, once out of Europe, he had to depend alone
on the power of his roubles.

But to what sort of a vehicle should he harness his horses?
To a telga or to a tarantass? The telga is nothing
but an open four-wheeled cart, made entirely of wood,
the pieces fastened together by means of strong rope.

Previous  - next