The surface of the snow was so hard as to bear the man’s weight, provided as he was with the huntsman’s broad-soled shoes of skins. Still it was with great difficulty that he could carry Alexis forward. He, however, succeeded in bearing him to his cave. Here he had the satisfaction of soon finding that the youth was still alive; that he was indeed only stunned, and otherwise entirely unhurt. He soon awoke from his insensibility, and looking around, inquired where he was. “You are safe,” said the stranger, “and in my castle, where no one will come to molest you. You are safe; and now tell me your name.” For a moment, Alexis was bewildered, and could not recollect his name, but after a little time, he said falteringly, “Pultova,--my name is Alexis Pultova.” “Pultova!” said the stranger, with great interest; “are you of Warsaw--the son of Paul Pultova?” “I am,” was the reply. “Yes,” said the other, “you are, I see by your resemblance, you are the son of my noble friend, General Pultova. And what brought you here?” “I am a hunter,” said Alexis. “Alas, alas,” said the man, “and so it is with the brave, and the noble, and the chivalrous sons of poor stricken Poland: scattered over this desolate region of winter--this wild and lone Siberia--banished, forgotten, save only to be pursued, crushed by the vengeful heel of power. Oh God! O Heaven! how long will thy justice permit such cruelty toward those whose only crime is, that they loved their country too well?” Saying these words, the stranger’s bosom heaved convulsively, the tears fell fast down his cheeks, and, as if ashamed of his emotion, he rushed out of the cavern. Alexis was greatly moved, yet his curiosity was excited, and he began to look around to ascertain what all this might mean. He now, for the first time, recollected his fall from the tree. He perceived that he was in a lofty cavern, in which he saw a bed made of skins, a gun, and various other trappings belonging to a hunter. He justly concluded that he had been rescued by the stranger; and when he returned, as he did in a few minutes, he poured out his grateful thanks to him for saving his life. The two now fell into conversation: and Alexis heard the details of his own rescue, as well as the story of the hunter. He was a Polish nobleman, who had taken part in the struggle for liberty, and who had also shared in the doom of those patriots who survived the issue. While they were conversing, they thought they heard sounds without, and going to the mouth of the cave, they perceived voices in the glen. Alexis soon recognised the piercing tones of Linsk, and immediately answered him. The old hunter, with his two sons, soon came up, and there was a hearty shaking of hands all round. The whole story was soon told, and the hunters were invited by the stranger into the cave.