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frontier of Siberia for a distance of nearly four hundred versts.
Formerly these forts were occupied by detachments of Cossacks,
and they protected the country against the Kirghese, as well as
against the Tartars. But since the Muscovite Government had believed
these hordes reduced to absolute submission, they had been abandoned,
and now could not be used; just at the time when they were needed.
Many of these forts had been reduced to ashes; and the boatmen even
pointed out the smoke to Michael, rising in the southern horizon,
and showing the approach of the Tartar advance-guard.
As soon as the ferryboat landed the tarantass on the right bank of
the Ichim, the journey across the steppe was resumed with all speed.
Michael Strogoff remained very silent. He was, however, always
attentive to Nadia, helping her to bear the fatigue of this long
journey without break or rest; but the girl never complained.
She longed to give wings to the horses. Something told her that
her companion was even more anxious than herself to reach Irkutsk;
and how many versts were still between!
It also occurred to her that if Omsk was entered by
the Tartars, Michael's mother, who lived there, would be in danger,
and that this was sufficient to explain her son's impatience
to get to her.
Nadia at last spoke to him of old Marfa, and of how unprotected
she would be in the midst of all these events.
"Have you received any news of your mother since the beginning
of the invasion?" she asked.
"None, Nadia. The last letter my mother wrote to me contained
good news. Marfa is a brave and energetic Siberian woman.
Notwithstanding her age, she has preserved all her moral strength.
She knows how to suffer."
"I shall see her, brother," said Nadia quickly. "Since you give me
the name of sister, I am Marfa's daughter."
And as Michael did not answer she added:
"Perhaps your mother has been able to leave Omsk?"
"It is possible, Nadia," replied Michael; "and I hope she may have
reached Tobolsk. Marfa hates the Tartars. She knows the steppe,
and would have no fear in just taking her staff and going down the banks
of the Irtych. There is not a spot in all the province unknown to her.
Many times has she traveled all over the country with my father;
and many times I myself, when a mere child, have accompanied them
across the Siberian desert. Yes, Nadia, I trust that my mother
has left Omsk."
"And when shall you see her?"
"I shall see her--on my return."
"If, however, your mother is still at Omsk, you will be able to spare
an hour to go to her?"
"I shall not go and see her."
"You will not see her?"
"No, Nadia," said Michael, his chest heaving as he felt he could
not go on replying to the girl's questions.
"You say no! Why, brother, if your mother is still at Omsk,
for what reason could you refuse to see her?"
"For what reason, Nadia? You ask me for what reason," exclaimed Michael,
in so changed a voice that the young girl started.
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