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which might be very important to them if the relay was poorly provided
with horses. Two carriages were perhaps more than the postmaster could
provide for, at least in a short space of time.
Half an hour after the berlin was left far behind, looking only a speck
on the horizon of the steppe.
It was eight o'clock in the evening when the two carriages
reached Ichim. The news was worse and worse with regard to
the invasion. The town itself was menaced by the Tartar vanguard;
and two days before the authorities had been obliged to retreat
to Tobolsk. There was not an officer nor a soldier left in Ichim.
On arriving at the relay, Michael Strogoff immediately asked
for horses. He had been fortunate in distancing the berlin.
Only three horses were fit to be harnessed. The others had
just come in worn out from a long stage.
As the two correspondents intended to stop at Ichim, they had not to
trouble themselves to find transport, and had their carriage put away.
In ten minutes Michael was told that his tarantass was ready to start.
"Good," said he.
Then turning to the two reporters: "Well, gentlemen, the time
is come for us to separate."
"What, Mr. Korpanoff," said Alcide Jolivet, "shall you not stop
even for an hour at Ichim?"
"No, sir; and I also wish to leave the post-house before the arrival
of the berlin which we distanced."
"Are you afraid that the traveler will dispute the horses with you?"
"I particularly wish to avoid any difficulty."
"Then, Mr. Korpanoff," said Jolivet, "it only remains for us
to thank you once more for the service you rendered us,
and the pleasure we have had in traveling with you."
"It is possible that we shall meet you again in a few days
at Omsk," added Blount.
"It is possible," answered Michael, "since I am going straight there."
"Well, I wish you a safe journey, Mr. Korpanoff," said Alcide,
"and Heaven preserve you from telgas."
The two reporters held out their hands to Michael with the intention
of cordially shaking his, when the sound of a carriage was heard outside.
Almost immediately the door was flung open and a man appeared.
It was the traveler of the berlin, a military-looking man,
apparently about forty years of age, tall, robust in figure,
broad-shouldered, with a strongly-set head, and thick
mus-taches meeting red whiskers. He wore a plain uniform.
A cavalry saber hung at his side, and in his hand he held
a short-handled whip.
"Horses," he demanded, with the air of a man accustomed to command.
"I have no more disposable horses," answered the postmaster, bowing.
"I must have some this moment."
"It is impossible."
"What are those horses which have just been harnessed to the tarantass
I saw at the door?"
"They belong to this traveler," answered the postmaster,
pointing to Michael Strogoff.
"Take them out!" said the traveler in a tone which admitted
of no reply.
Michael then advanced.
"These horses are engaged by me," he said.
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