“Indeed, sir,” replied Michael, “I would willingly offer you places in my tarantass, but it will only hold two, and my sister and I already fill it.” “Really, sir,” answered Alcide, “with your horse and our demi-telga we will go to the world’s end.” “Sir,” said Harry Blount, “we most willingly accept your kind offer. And, as to that iemschik--” “Oh! I assure you that you are not the first travelers who have met with a similar misfortune,” replied Michael. “But why should not our driver come back? He knows perfectly well that he has left us behind, wretch that he is!” “He! He never suspected such a thing.” “What! the fellow not know that he was leaving the better half of his telga behind?” “Not a bit, and in all good faith is driving the fore part into Ekaterenburg.” “Did I not tell you that it was a good joke, confrère?” cried Alcide. “Then, gentlemen, if you will follow me,” said Michael, “we will return to my carriage, and--” “But the telga,” observed the Englishman. “There is not the slightest fear that it will fly away, my dear Blount!” exclaimed Alcide; “it has taken such good root in the ground, that if it were left here until next spring it would begin to bud.” “Come then, gentlemen,” said Michael Strogoff, “and we will bring up the tarantass.” The Frenchman and the Englishman, descending from their seats, no longer the hinder one, since the front had taken its departure, followed Michael. Walking along, Alcide Jolivet chattered away as usual, with his invariable good-humor. “Faith, Mr. Korpanoff,” said he, “you have indeed got us out of a bad scrape.” “I have only done, sir,” replied Michael, “what anyone would have done in my place.” “Well, sir, you have done us a good turn, and if you are going farther we may possibly meet again, and--” Alcide Jolivet did not put any direct question to Michael as to where he was going, but the latter, not wishing it to be suspected that he had anything to conceal, at once replied, “I am bound for Omsk, gentlemen.” “Mr. Blount and I,” replied Alcide, “go where danger is certainly to be found, and without doubt news also.” “To the invaded provinces?” asked Michael with some earnestness. “Exactly so, Mr. Korpanoff; and we may possibly meet there.” “Indeed, sir,” replied Michael, “I have little love for cannon-balls or lance points, and am by nature too great a lover of peace to venture where fighting is going on.” “I am sorry, sir, extremely sorry; we must only regret that we shall separate so soon! But on leaving Ekaterenburg it may be our fortunate fate to travel together, if only for a few days?” “Do you go on to Omsk?” asked Michael, after a moment’s reflection. “We know nothing as yet,” replied Alcide; “but we shall certainly go as far as Ishim, and once there, our movements must depend on circumstances.” “Well then, gentlemen,” said Michael, “we will be fellow-travelers as far as Ishim.”