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"What does that matter? I must have them. Come, be quick;
I have no time to lose."
"I have no time to lose either," replied Michael, restraining
himself with difficulty.
Nadia was near him, calm also, but secretly uneasy at a scene
which it would have been better to avoid.
"Enough!" said the traveler. Then, going up to the postmaster,
"Let the horses be put into my berlin," he exclaimed with
a threatening gesture.
The postmaster, much embarrassed, did not know whom to obey,
and looked at Michael, who evidently had the right to resist
the unjust demands of the traveler.
Michael hesitated an instant. He did not wish to make use
of his podorojna, which would have drawn attention to him,
and he was most unwilling also, by giving up his horses,
to delay his journey, and yet he must not engage in a struggle
which might compromise his mission.
The two reporters looked at him ready to support him should
he appeal to them.
"My horses will remain in my carriage," said Michael, but without raising
his tone more than would be suitable for a plain Irkutsk merchant.
The traveler advanced towards Michael and laid his hand
heavily on his shoulder. "Is it so?" he said roughly.
"You will not give up your horses to me?"
"No," answered Michael.
"Very well, they shall belong to whichever of us is able to start.
Defend yourself; I shall not spare you!"
So saying, the traveler drew his saber from its sheath,
and Nadia threw herself before Michael.
Blount and Alcide Jolivet advanced towards him.
"I shall not fight," said Michael quietly, folding his arms
across his chest.
"You will not fight?"
"No."
"Not even after this?" exclaimed the traveler. And before anyone
could prevent him, he struck Michael's shoulder with the handle
of the whip. At this insult Michael turned deadly pale.
His hands moved convulsively as if he would have knocked the brute down.
But by a tremendous effort he mastered himself. A duel! it was
more than a delay; it was perhaps the failure of his mission.
It would be better to lose some hours. Yes; but to swallow this affront!
"Will you fight now, coward?" repeated the traveler,
adding coarseness to brutality.
"No," answered Michael, without moving, but looking the other straight
in the face.
"The horses this moment," said the man, and left the room.
The postmaster followed him, after shrugging his shoulders and bestowing
on Michael a glance of anything but approbation.
The effect produced on the reporters by this incident was not
to Michael's advantage. Their discomfiture was visible.
How could this strong young man allow himself to be struck
like that and not demand satisfaction for such an insult?
They contented themselves with bowing to him and retired,
Jolivet remarking to Harry Blount
"I could not have believed that of a man who is so skillful
in finishing up Ural Mountain bears. Is it the case that a
man can be courageous at one time and a coward at another?
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