OMSK is the official capital of Western Siberia. It is not the most important city of the government of that name, for Tomsk has more inhabitants and is larger. But it is at Omsk that the Governor-General of this the first half of Asiatic Russia resides. Omsk, properly so called, is composed of two distinct towns: one which is exclusively inhabited by the authorities and officials; the other more especially devoted1 to the Siberian merchants, although, indeed, the trade of the town is of small importance.
This city has about 12,000 to 13,000 inhabitants. It is defended by walls, but these are merely of earth, and could afford only insufficient2 protection. The Tartars, who were well aware of this fact, consequently tried at this period to carry it by main force, and in this they succeeded, after an investment of a few days.
The garrison3 of Omsk, reduced to two thousand men, resisted valiantly4. But driven back, little by little, from the mercantile portion of the place, they were compelled to take refuge in the upper town.
It was there that the Governor-General, his officers, and soldiers had entrenched5 themselves. They had made the upper quarter of Omsk a kind of citadel6, and hitherto they held out well in this species of improvised7 “kreml,” but without much hope of the promised succor8. The Tartar troops, who were descending9 the Irtych, received every day fresh reinforcements, and, what was more serious, they were led by an officer, a traitor10 to his country, but a man of much note, and of an audacity11 equal to any emergency. This man was Colonel Ivan Ogareff.
Ivan Ogareff, terrible as any of the most savage12 Tartar chieftains, was an educated soldier. Possessing on his mother’s side some Mongolian blood, he delighted in deceptive13 strategy and ambuscades, stopping short of nothing when he desired to fathom14 some secret or to set some trap. Deceitful by nature, he willingly had recourse to the vilest15 trickery; lying when occasion demanded, excelling in the adoption16 of all disguises and in every species of deception17. Further, he was cruel, and had even acted as an executioner. Feofar-Khan possessed18 in him a lieutenant19 well capable of seconding his designs in this savage war.
When Michael Strogoff arrived on the banks of the Irtych, Ivan Ogareff was already master of Omsk, and was pressing the siege of the upper quarter of the town all the more eagerly because he must hasten to Tomsk, where the main body of the Tartar army was concentrated.
Tomsk, in fact, had been taken by Feofar-Khan some days previously20, and it was thence that the invaders21, masters of Central Siberia, were to march upon Irkutsk.
Irkutsk was the real object of Ivan Ogareff. The plan of the traitor was to reach the Grand Duke under a false name, to gain his confidence, and to deliver into Tartar hands the town and the Grand Duke himself. With such a town, and such a hostage, all Asiatic Siberia must necessarily fall into the hands of the invaders. Now it was known that the Czar was acquainted with this conspiracy22, and that it was for the purpose of baffling it that a courier had been intrusted with the important warning. Hence, therefore, the very stringent23 instructions which had been given to the young courier to pass incognito24 through the invaded district.
This mission he had so far faithfully performed, but now could he carry it to a successful completion?
The blow which had struck Michael Strogoff was not mortal. By swimming in a manner by which he had effectually concealed25 himself, he had reached the right bank, where he fell exhausted26 among the bushes.
When he recovered his senses, he found himself in the cabin of a mujik, who had picked him up and cared for him. For how long a time had he been the guest of this brave Siberian? He could not guess. But when he opened his eyes he saw the handsome bearded face bending over him, and regarding him with pitying eyes. “Do not speak, little father,” said the mujik, “Do not speak! Thou art still too weak. I will tell thee where thou art and everything that has passed.”
And the mujik related to Michael Strogoff the different incidents of the struggle which he had witnessed — the attack upon the ferry by the Tartar boats, the pillage27 of the tarantass, and the massacre28 of the boatmen.
But Michael Strogoff listened no longer, and slipping his hand under his garment he felt the imperial letter still secured in his breast. He breathed a sigh of relief.
But that was not all. “A young girl accompanied me,” said he.
“They have not killed her,” replied the mujik, anticipating the anxiety which he read in the eyes of his guest. “They have carried her off in their boat, and have continued the descent of Irtych. It is only one prisoner more to join the many they are taking to Tomsk!”
Michael Strogoff was unable to reply. He pressed his hand upon his heart to restrain its beating. But, notwithstanding these many trials, the sentiment of duty mastered his whole soul. “Where am I?” asked he.
“Upon the right bank of the Irtych, only five versts from Omsk,” replied the mujik.
“What wound can I have received which could have thus prostrated29 me? It was not a gunshot wound?”
“No; a lance-thrust in the head, now healing,” replied the mujik. “After a few days’ rest, little father, thou wilt30 be able to proceed. Thou didst fall into the river; but the Tartars neither touched nor searched thee; and thy purse is still in thy pocket.”
Michael Strogoff gripped the mujik’s hand. Then, recovering himself with a sudden effort, “Friend,” said he, “how long have I been in thy hut?”
“Three days.”
“Three days lost!”
“Three days hast thou lain unconscious.”
“Hast thou a horse to sell me?”
“Thou wishest to go?”
“At once.”
“I have neither horse nor carriage, little father. Where the Tartar has passed there remains31 nothing!”
“Well, I will go on foot to Omsk to find a horse.”
“A few more hours of rest, and thou wilt be in a better condition to pursue thy journey.”
“Not an hour!”
“Come now,” replied the mujik, recognizing the fact that it was useless to struggle against the will of his guest, “I will guide thee myself. Besides,” he added, “the Russians are still in great force at Omsk, and thou couldst, perhaps, pass unperceived.”
“Friend,” replied Michael Strogoff, “Heaven reward thee for all thou hast done for me!”
“Only fools expect reward on earth,” replied the mujik.
Michael Strogoff went out of the hut. When he tried to walk he was seized with such faintness that, without the assistance of the mujik, he would have fallen; but the fresh air quickly revived him. He then felt the wound in his head, the violence of which his fur cap had lessened32. With the energy which he possessed, he was not a man to succumb33 under such a trifle. Before his eyes lay a single goal — far-distant Irkutsk. He must reach it! But he must pass through Omsk without stopping there.
“God protect my mother and Nadia!” he murmured. “I have no longer the right to think of them!”
Michael Strogoff and the mujik soon arrived in the mercantile quarter of the lower town. The surrounding earthwork had been destroyed in many places, and there were the breaches34 through which the marauders who followed the armies of Feofar-Khan had penetrated35. Within Omsk, in its streets and squares, the Tartar soldiers swarmed36 like ants; but it was easy to see that a hand of iron imposed upon them a discipline to which they were little accustomed. They walked nowhere alone, but in armed groups, to defend themselves against surprise.
In the chief square, transformed into a camp, guarded by many sentries37, 2,000 Tartars bivouacked. The horses, picketed38 but still saddled, were ready to start at the first order. Omsk could only be a temporary halting-place for this Tartar cavalry39, which preferred the rich plains of Eastern Siberia, where the towns were more wealthy, and, consequently, pillage more profitable.
Above the mercantile town rose the upper quarter, which Ivan Ogareff, notwithstanding several assaults vigorously made but bravely repelled40, had not yet been able to reduce. Upon its embattled walls floated the national colors of Russia.
It was not without a legitimate41 pride that Michael Strogoff and his guide, vowing42 fidelity43, saluted44 them.
Michael Strogoff was perfectly45 acquainted with the town of Omsk, and he took care to avoid those streets which were much frequented. This was not from any fear of being recognized. In the town his old mother only could have called him by name, but he had sworn not to see her, and he did not. Besides — and he wished it with his whole heart — she might have fled into some quiet portion of the steppe.
The mujik very fortunately knew a postmaster who, if well paid, would not refuse at his request either to let or to sell a carriage or horses. There remained the difficulty of leaving the town, but the breaches in the fortifications would, of course, facilitate his departure.
The mujik was accordingly conducting his guest straight to the posting-house, when, in a narrow street, Michael Strogoff, coming to a sudden stop sprang behind a jutting46 wall.
“What is the matter?” asked the astonished mujik.
“Silence!” replied Michael, with his finger on his lips. At this moment a detachment debouched from the principal square into the street which Michael Strogoff and his companion had just been following.
At the head of the detachment, composed of twenty horsemen, was an officer dressed in a very simple uniform. Although he glanced rapidly from one side to the other he could not have seen Michael Strogoff, owing to his precipitous retreat.
The detachment went at full trot47 into the narrow street. Neither the officer nor his escort concerned themselves about the inhabitants. Several unlucky ones had scarcely time to make way for their passage. There were a few half-stifled cries, to which thrusts of the lance gave an instant reply, and the street was immediately cleared.
When the escort had disappeared, “Who is that officer?” asked Michael Strogoff. And while putting the question his face was pale as that of a corpse49.
“It is Ivan Ogareff,” replied the Siberian, in a deep voice which breathed hatred50.
“He!” cried Michael Strogoff, from whom the word escaped with a fury he could not conquer. He had just recognized in this officer the traveler who had struck him at the posting-house of Ichim. And, although he had only caught a glimpse of him, it burst upon his mind, at the same time, that this traveler was the old Zingari whose words he had overheard in the market place of Nijni-Novgorod.
Michael Strogoff was not mistaken. The two men were one and the same. It was under the garb51 of a Zingari, mingling52 with the band of Sangarre, that Ivan Ogareff had been able to leave the town of Nijni-Novgorod, where he had gone to seek his confidants. Sangarre and her Zingari, well paid spies, were absolutely devoted to him. It was he who, during the night, on the fair-ground had uttered that singular sentence, which Michael Strogoff could not understand; it was he who was voyaging on board the Caucasus, with the whole of the Bohemian band; it was he who, by this other route, from Kasan to Ichim, across the Urals, had reached Omsk, where now he held supreme53 authority.
Ivan Ogareff had been barely three days at Omsk, and had it not been for their fatal meeting at Ichim, and for the event which had detained him three days on the banks of the Irtych, Michael Strogoff would have evidently beaten him on the way to Irkutsk.
And who knows how many misfortunes would have been avoided in the future! In any case — and now more than ever — Michael Strogoff must avoid Ivan Ogareff, and contrive54 not to be seen. When the moment of encountering him face to face should arrive, he knew how to meet it, even should the traitor be master of the whole of Siberia.
The mujik and Michael resumed their way and arrived at the posting-house. To leave Omsk by one of the breaches would not be difficult after nightfall. As for purchasing a carriage to replace the tarantass, that was impossible. There were none to be let or sold. But what want had Michael Strogoff now for a carriage? Was he not alone, alas55? A horse would suffice him; and, very fortunately, a horse could be had. It was an animal of strength and mettle56, and Michael Strogoff, accomplished57 horseman as he was, could make good use of it.
It was four o’clock in the afternoon. Michael Strogoff, compelled to wait till nightfall, in order to pass the fortifications, but not desiring to show himself, remained in the posting-house, and there partook of food.
There was a great crowd in the public room. They were talking of the expected arrival of a corps48 of Muscovite troops, not at Omsk, but at Tomsk — a corps intended to recapture that town from the Tartars of Feofar-Khan.
Michael Strogoff lent an attentive58 ear, but took no part in the conversation. Suddenly a cry made him tremble, a cry which penetrated to the depths of his soul, and these two words rushed into his ear: “My son!”
His mother, the old woman Marfa, was before him! Trembling, she smiled upon him. She stretched forth59 her arms to him. Michael Strogoff arose. He was about to throw himself —
The thought of duty, the serious danger for his mother and himself in this unfortunate meeting, suddenly stopped him, and such was his command over himself that not a muscle of his face moved. There were twenty people in the public room. Among them were, perhaps, spies, and was it not known in the town that the son of Marfa Strogoff belonged to the corps of the couriers of the Czar?
Michael Strogoff did not move.
“Michael!” cried his mother.
“Who are you, my good lady?” Michael Strogoff stammered60, unable to speak in his usual firm tone.
“Who am I, thou askest! Dost thou no longer know thy mother?”
“You are mistaken,” coldly replied Michael Strogoff. “A resemblance deceives you.”
The old Marfa went up to him, and, looking straight into his eyes, said, “Thou art not the son of Peter and Marfa Strogoff?”
Michael Strogoff would have given his life to have locked his mother in his arms; but if he yielded it was all over with him, with her, with his mission, with his oath! Completely master of himself, he closed his eyes, in order not to see the inexpressible anguish61 which agitated62 the revered63 countenance64 of his mother. He drew back his hands, in order not to touch those trembling hands which sought him. “I do not know in truth what it is you say, my good woman,” he replied, stepping back.
“Michael!” again cried his aged65 mother.
“My name is not Michael. I never was your son! I am Nicholas Korpanoff, a merchant at Irkutsk.”
And suddenly he left the public room, whilst for the last time the words re-echoed, “My son! my son!”
Michael Strogoff, by a desperate effort, had gone. He did not see his old mother, who had fallen back almost inanimate upon a bench. But when the postmaster hastened to assist her, the aged woman raised herself. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. She denied by her son! It was not possible. As for being herself deceived, and taking another for him, equally impossible. It was certainly her son whom she had just seen; and if he had not recognized her it was because he would not, it was because he ought not, it was because he had some cogent66 reasons for acting67 thus! And then, her mother’s feelings arising within her, she had only one thought —“Can I, unwittingly, have ruined him?”
“I am mad,” she said to her interrogators. “My eyes have deceived me! This young man is not my child. He had not his voice. Let us think no more of it; if we do I shall end by finding him everywhere.”
Less than ten minutes afterwards a Tartar officer appeared in the posting-house. “Marfa Strogoff?” he asked.
“It is I,” replied the old woman, in a tone so calm, and with a face so tranquil68, that those who had witnessed the meeting with her son would not have known her.
“Come,” said the officer,
Marfa Strogoff, with firm step, followed the Tartar. Some moments afterwards she found herself in the chief square in the presence of Ivan Ogareff, to whom all the details of this scene had been immediately reported.
Ogareff, suspecting the truth, interrogated69 the old Siberian woman. “Thy name?” he asked in a rough voice.
“Marfa Strogoff.”
“Thou hast a son?”
“Yes.”
“He is a courier of the Czar?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“At Moscow.”
“Thou hast no news of him?”
“No news.”
“Since how long?”
“Since two months.”
“Who, then, was that young man whom thou didst call thy son a few moments ago at the posting-house?”
“A young Siberian whom I took for him,” replied Marfa Strogoff. “This is the tenth man in whom I have thought I recognized my son since the town has been so full of strangers. I think I see him everywhere.”
“So this young man was not Michael Strogoff?”
“It was not Michael Strogoff.”
“Dost thou know, old woman, that I can torture thee until thou avowest the truth?”
“I have spoken the truth, and torture will not cause me to alter my words in any way.”
“This Siberian was not Michael Strogoff?” asked a second time Ivan Ogareff.
“No, it was not he,” replied a second time Marfa Strogoff. “Do you think that for anything in the world I would deny a son whom God has given me?”
Ivan Ogareff regarded with an evil eye the old woman who braved him to the face. He did not doubt but that she had recognized her son in this young Siberian. Now if this son had first renounced70 his mother, and if his mother renounced him in her turn, it could occur only from the most weighty motive71. Ogareff had therefore no doubt that the pretended Nicholas Korpanoff was Michael Strogoff, courier of the Czar, seeking concealment72 under a false name, and charged with some mission which it would have been important for him to know. He therefore at once gave orders for his pursuit. Then “Let this woman be conducted to Tomsk,” he said.
While the soldiers brutally73 dragged her off, he added between his teeth, “When the moment arrives I shall know how to make her speak, this old sorceress!”
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1
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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valiantly
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| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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entrenched
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| adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯) | |
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citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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7
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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8
succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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9
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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vilest
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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16
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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18
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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incognito
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| adv.匿名地；n.隐姓埋名；adj.化装的，用假名的，隐匿姓名身份的 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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breaches
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| 破坏( breach的名词复数 )； 破裂； 缺口； 违背 | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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36
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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picketed
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| 用尖桩围住（picket的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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47
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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48
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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49
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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50
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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51
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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52
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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55
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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56
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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57
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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60
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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cogent
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| adj.强有力的，有说服力的 | |
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67
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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68
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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interrogated
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| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
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70
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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71
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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