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the surface almost level with the ground； its bed being but
the steppe itself。
Several times shots were fired at Michael； but without hitting him；
and several times too he discharged his revolver on those of
the soldiers who pressed him too closely。 Each time an Usbeck
rolled on the ground； midst cries of rage from his companions。
But this pursuit could only terminate to Michael's disadvantage。
His horse was almost exhausted。 He managed to reach the bank
of the river。 The Usbeck detachment was now not more than fifty
paces behind him。
The Obi was desertednot a boat of any description which could
take him over the water！
〃Courage； my brave horse！〃 cried Michael。 〃Come！ A last effort！〃
And he plunged into the river； which here was half a verst in width。
It would have been difficult to stand against the current
indeed； Michael's horse could get no footing。 He must therefore
swim across the river； although it was rapid as a torrent。
Even to attempt it showed Michael's marvelous courage。
The soldiers reached the bank； but hesitated to plunge in。
The pendja…baschi seized his musket and took aim at Michael；
whom he could see in the middle of the stream。
The shot was fired； and Michael's horse； struck in the side；
was borne away by the current。
His master； speedily disentangling himself from his stirrups；
struck out boldly for the shore。 In the midst of a hailstorm
of balls he managed to reach the opposite side； and disappeared
in the rushes。
CHAPTER XVII THE RIVALS
MICHAEL was in comparative safety； though his situation was
still terrible。 Now that the faithful animal who had so bravely
borne him had met his death in the waters of the river；
how was he to continue his journey？
He was on foot； without provisions； in a country devastated
by the invasion； overrun by the Emir's scouts； and still at a
considerable distance from the place he was striving to reach。
〃By Heaven； I will get there！〃 he exclaimed； in reply to all
the reasons for faltering。 〃God will protect our sacred Russia。〃
Michael was out of reach of the Usbeck horsemen。
They had not dared to pursue him through the river。
Once more on solid ground Michael stopped to consider what
he should do next。 He wished to avoid Tomsk； now occupied
by the Tartar troops。 Nevertheless； he must reach some town；
or at least a post…house； where he could procure a horse。
A horse once found； he would throw himself out of the beaten track；
and not again take to the Irkutsk road until in the neighborhood
of Krasnoiarsk。 From that place； if he were quick； he hoped
to find the way still open； and he intended to go through
the Lake Baikal provinces in a southeasterly direction。
Michael began by going eastward。 By following the course
of the Obi two versts further； he reached a picturesque little
town lying on a small hill。 A few churches； with Byzantine
cupolas colored green and gold； stood up against the gray sky。
This is Kolyvan； where the officers and people employed at Kamsk
and other towns take refuge during the summer from the unhealthy
climate of the Baraba。 According to the latest news obtained
by the Czar's courier； Kolyvan could not be yet in the hands
of the invaders。 The Tartar troops； divided into two columns；
had marched to the left on Omsk； to the right on Tomsk；
neglecting the intermediate country。
Michael Strogoff's plan was simply thisto reach Kolyvan before
the arrival of the Usbeck horsemen； who would ascend the other bank
of the Obi to the ferry。 There he would procure clothes and a horse；
and r俿um？the road to Irkutsk across the southern steppe。
It was now three o'clock in the morning。 The neighborhood of Kolyvan
was very still； and appeared to have been totally abandoned。
The country population had evidently fled to the northwards；
to the province of Yeniseisk； dreading the invasion； which they
could not resist。
Michael was walking at a rapid pace towards Kolyvan when distant firing
struck his ear。 He stopped； and clearly distinguished the dull roar
of artillery； and above it a crisp rattle which could not be mistaken。
〃It is cannon and musketry！〃 said he。 〃The little Russian body
is engaged with the Tartar army！ Pray Heaven that I may arrive
at Kolyvan before them！〃
The firing became gradually louder； and soon to the left of Kolyvan
a mist collectednot smoke； but those great white clouds produced
by discharges of artillery。
The Usbeck horsemen stopped on the left of the Obi； to await the result
of the battle。 From them Michael had nothing to fear as he hastened
towards the town。
In the meanwhile the firing increased； and became sensibly nearer。
It was no longer a confused roar； but distinct reports。
At the same time the smoke partially cleared； and it became
evident that the combatants were rapidly moving southwards。
It appeared that Kolyvan was to be attacked on the north side。
But were the Russians defending it or the Tartars？ It being
impossible to decide this； Michael became greatly perplexed。
He was not more than half a verst from Kolyvan when he observed
flames shooting up among the houses of the town； and the steeple
of a church fell in the midst of clouds of smoke and fire。
Was the struggle； then； in Kolyvan？ Michael was compelled to think so。
It was evident that Russians and Tartars were fighting in
the streets of the town。 Was this a time to seek refuge there？
Would he not run a risk of being taken prisoner？ Should he succeed
in escaping from Kolyvan； as he had escaped from Omsk？ He hesitated
and stopped a moment。 Would it not be better to try； even on foot；
to reach some small town； and there procure a horse at any price？
This was the only thing to be done； and Michael； leaving the Obi；
went forward to the right of Kolyvan。
The firing had now increased in violence。 Flames soon sprang
up on the left of the town。 Fire was devouring one entire
quarter of Kolyvan。
Michael was running across the steppe endeavoring to gain the covert
of some trees when a detachment of Tartar cavalry appeared on the right。
He dared not continue in that direction。 The horsemen advanced rapidly；
and it would have been difficult to escape them。
Suddenly； in a thick clump of trees； he saw an isolated house；
which it would be possible to reach before he was perceived。
Michael had no choice but to run there； hide himself and ask
or take something to recruit his strength； for he was exhausted
with hunger and fatigue。
He accordingly ran on towards this house； still about half
a verst distant。 As he approached； he could see that it
was a telegraph office。 Two wires left it in westerly and
easterly directions； and a third went towards Kolyvan。
It was to be supposed that under the circumstances this station
was abandoned； but even if it was； Michael could take refuge there；
and wait till nightfall； if necessary； to again set out across
the steppe covered with Tartar scouts。
He ran up to the door and pushed it open。
A single person was in the room whence the telegraphic messages
were dispatched。 This was a clerk； calm； phlegmatic； indifferent to
all that was passing outside。 Faithful to his pos