Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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J. S. BELL, Opp. Central Hotel, Manning. S. C -:DEALER IN: icJcles and Bicycle Supplies, als re ui0e wheels and guarantee my work. MACHINERY REPAIRINC A SPECIALTY. All work entrusted to me will receive prompt attention either day or night. J. S. BELL. GeoS1 Hacker &Son M ANCFACTt"URERW OF CA GoG C41o Doors, Sash, Blinds, Moulding and Building Material, CHAR LESTON, S. C. Sash Weights and Cords, Hardware and Paints. Windo, Ad Fancy Slass a Specialty, INSURANCE FIRE. LIFE, ACCIDENT & BUVR GLA RY INS UR ANCE. Tailor-Made Clothing. FIT GUARANTEED. A FULL LINE OF SAMPLE-S. Carpets, Art Squares, RUGS, DRAPERIES & BED SETS. Colored designs and samples of goods. Carpets sewed free and wadded lining far nished FREE. J. , WILSON. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE WHEELER'S Chill and Fever Tonic IS UNQUESTIONABLY A CQ '.iZne T" ozic Guaranteed to Cure CHILLS AND FEVER, INTERMITTENT, BILIOUS AND CONTINUED FEVER. There is no occasion to proclaim. its merits from the housetops, but those 'who have used WHEELER'S CHILL TONIC will tell their neighbors, -It has enred me and it will cure you." FOR SALE BY THE R. B. LoRYEA Drug Store, ISAAC M. LORYE~A, Prop PofiRo NO 2 3Aarsrs, s. C. Koclol IDyspepsia Cure Digests what you eat. This preparation contains'all of the digestants and digests all kinds of floo. 1giveinsantrelietand never fansocue. t alow yo toeat all the food youwant. The most sensitive stomachs ean takelt. Dyitsusemany thousands -of dypptc ave been cured after evythngelse, faiied. It prevents formation ogason thze stom Mer renieving all distressaftereating. Dieting-unnecessary. Pleasant to take. U can't help hiut do you good The R. B. Loryea Drug Store, MONEY TO LOAN. I am prepared to negotiate loans on good real estate security, on rea sonable terms. R. 0. PURDY, Sumter, S. C. The Times DOES NEAT Job Printing. GIVE US A TRiIAL. Come TH Exposition. Every attention will be shown visit ors and we especially invite the people to visit our handsome store to inspect our lines aI Gent's Furnishings Clothing, and Hats. We handle no goods but those~ which Oi r Tailoring Department is perhaps the largest in the State and our tailors are experienced workmen. A Suit made by us is sufficient war rant to tit. Come to see us. i. LDAVID & BO., Cor. King and Wentworth Sts., ChARLs TON., - s. C. ITHE C( LOF Tl 13Y Jule CHAPTERL V. HE next day, the 18th of July, at twenty minutes to 7 in the morning, the Caucasus reached the Ka san quay, seven versts from the town. Michael did not even think of landing. He was unwilling to leave the young Livonian girl alone on board, as she had not yet reappeared-on deck. There was a report along all the east ern frontier of Russia that the insur rection and invasion had reached con siderable proportions. Communication between Siberia and the empire was al ready extremely difficult. All this Mi chael Strogoff heard without leaving the deck of the Caucasus from the new arrivals. This Information could not but cause him great uneasiness and increase his wish of being beyond the Ural moun tains, so as to judge for himself of the truth of these rumors and enable him to guard against any possible contin gency. He was thinking of seeking more direct intelligence from some na tive of Kasan when his attention was diverted. Among the passengers who were leaving the Caucasus Michael recog nized the troop of gypsies who the day before had appeared in the Nijni Novgorod fair. There on the deck of the steamboat were the old Bohemian and the woman who had played the spy on him. With them and no doubt under their direction landed about twenty dancers and singers from fif teen to twenty years of age, wrapped in old cloaks, which covered their span gled dresses. These dresses, just then glancing in the first rays of the sun, re minded Michael of the curious appear ance which he had observed during the night. It must have' been the glitter of those spangles in the bgight flames issuing suddenly from the steamboat's funnel which had attracted his atten tion. "Evidently," said Michael to himself, "this troop of Zingari, after remain ing below all day, crouched under the forecastle during the night. Were these gypsies trying to show themselves as little as possible? Such is not accord ing to the usual custom of their race." Michael Strogoff no longer doubted that the expressions he had heard which so clearly referred to him had proceeded from this tawny group and had been exchanged between the old gypsy and the woman named Sangarre. Michael involuntarily moved toward the gangway as the Bohemian troop was leaving the steamboat. not to re turn ta it again. The old Bohemian was there in a humble attitude, little conformable with the effrontery natural to his race. One would have said that he was en deavoring rather to avoid attention than to attract it. His battered hat, browned by the suns of every clime, was pulled forward over his wrinkled face. His arched back was bent under an olid cloak, wrapped closely round him notwithstanding the heat. It would have been difficult in this miserable dress to judge of either his size or face. Near him was the gypsy Sangarre, a woman about thirty years old. She was tall and well made, with olive complexion, magnificent eyes and gold en hair, and carried herself to perfec tion. Sangarre was regarding him with a peculiar gaze, as if she wished to fix his features indelibly in her memory. I' was but for a few moments when Sangarre herself followed the old man and his troop, who had already left the vesseL. "That's a bold gypsy," said Michael to himself. "Could she have recognized me as the man whom she saw at Nijni Novgorod? These confounded Zingaris have the eyes of a cat: They can see in the dar-k. and that woman there might well k-now" Miehael Strogofr was on the point of following Sangarrm and the gypsy band, but he stopped. "Nob" thought he; "no unguarded pro ceedings. If I were to stop that old fortune teller and his companions, my incognito would run a risk of being dis covered. Besides, now they have land ed, before they can pass the frontier I shall be already beyond the Ural. I know that they may take the route from Kasan to Ichim, but that affords no resources to travelers, and, besides, a tarantass drawn by four good Sibe rian horses will always go faster than a gypsy cart." By this time the old man and San garre had disappeared in the crowd. An hour afterward the bell rang on board the Caucasus, calling the new passengers and recalling the former ones~ It was now 7 o'clock in the morning. The requisite fuel had been received on board, and about 10 o'clock in the morning the young Livonian, leaving her cabin, appeared on deck. Michael Strogoff went forward and took her hand. "Look, sister:" said he, leading her to the bows of the Caucasus., The view was indeed well worth ex amining. The Caucasus had just then reached the confluence of the Volga and the Eama. There she~would leave the for mer river after having descended it for more !than 400 versts to ascend the lat ter fog- 460 versts. The. Kama was here very wide, and its wooded banks were lovely. A few white sails enlivened the sparkling wa ter. The horizon was closed by a line f hills covered with aspens, alders and sometimes large oaks. But these beauties of nature could not distract the thoughts of the young Livo L'n even for an instant. She had left lT.r hand in that of her companion and soon, turning to him, said: "At what distance are we from Mos ow?" "Nine hundred versts," answered Mi hael'. "Nine hundred out of seven thou sandy" The bell now announced the break fast I hour. Nadia followed Michael Strogoff to the restaurant. She ate lit te, as a poor girl whose means are smalli would do. Michael Strogoff thought it best to content himself with the f~.re which satisfied his companion, and yn less than twenty rainutes Mi hael; Strogoff and Nadia returned on eck. There they seated themselves in! the strn, and without other preamble adi m, lowering her voice so as to be heoa~ by him alone, began:. )URIER L4 CZAR s Verne -r-other. I am 1i'0 dan ghteo of an ex ile. My name is Nadia Fedor. My mother died at Riga scarcely a month ago, and I am go:ng to Irkutsk to re join my father and share his exile." "I, too. am going to Irkutil" answer ed Michael, "and I shall thank heaven if It enables me to give Nadia Fedor safe into her father's hands." "Thank you, brother," replied Nadia. Michael Strogoff then added that he had obtained a special podorojna for Siberia and that the Russian author! ties could in no way hinder him. Nadia asked nothing more. SheSav in this fortunate meeting with Michael a means only of accelerating her jour ney to her father. "I had," said she, "a permit which authorized me to go to Irkutsk, but the order of the governor of NijnI Norgo rod annulled that, and but for you., brother, .I should. have been unable to leave the town, and without doubt I should have perished." "And dared you alone, Nadia," said Michael, "attempt to cross the steppes of Siberia?" "The Tartar in-asien was not known when I left Riga." replied the young girl. 'It was only at Moscow that I !earned that news."' "And notwithstanding that you con tinued your journey?" "It was my duty." This w7ord showed the character of the courageous girl. She then spoke of her father, Wassill Fedor. H_- was a much esteemed phy sician at Riga. but his connection with some secret socelty having been as serted he received orders to start for Irkutsk, and the police who brought the order conducted him without Ldelay beyond the f:'ontier. Wassili Fedor had but time to embrace his sick wife and his daughter. so sood to be left alone, when, shedding bitter tears, he was led away. It A year and a half after her husband's departure M me. Fedor died in the arms of her daughter, who was thus left alone and almost lnniless. Nadia Fe dor then asked and easily obtained from .te, Rnssian b:vernment an au thorization to join her father at I! kutsk. She wrote and told him she was starting. She had barely enough money for th!s long jolurney, and yet she did not hesitate 'to undertake it. She would do what she could. God would do the rest. The next day, the 19th of July, the Caucasus rear-hed Perm, the last place at which she touched on the Kama. The government of which Perm is the capital is one of the largest in the Russian empire and, extending over the Ural moun.ains, encroaches on Sibe rian territory. Marble quarries, mines of salt.' platinurin, gold and coal are worked here on a large scale. Although Pem by its situation has become an imortant town, It Is by no means at. tractive, being extremely muddy an~d dirty and possessing no resources. This want of comfort is of no consequence to those going fron, Russia to Siberia, for they come from the more civilized districts and are supplied With all nee essaries, but to those arriving from the countries of central Asia, after a long and fatiguing journey, it would no doubt be more satisfactory if the first European town of the empire, situated on the Asiatic frontier. were better sup plied . ith stores. At Pernm the travelers sell their vehi ces, more or less damaged by the long journey ineross the plains of Siberia. There, too, those passing frem Europe to Asia purchase carriages during the summer rund sleighs in the winter sea son before starting for a several months' journey through the steppes. Michael Strogofi' had alreaidy sketch ed out his programme, so now he had only to execute it. A vehicle carrying the mail usually runs across the Ural mountains, bat at the present time this, of course, was discontinued. Even if it had not been so, Michael Strogoff would not have taken it, as he wished to travel as fast as possible without depending on any one. He wisely preferred to buy a car riage and journey by stages, stimulat ing the zeal of the postilions by tips. Unfortunateiy, in consequence of the measures taken against foreigners of Asiatic origin, a large number of trav elers had already left Penm, and there fore conveyances were extremely rare. Michael was obliged to content himself with what had been rejected by others. As to horses, as long as the czar's cou rier was notin Siberia he could exhibit his podorojna without danger, and the postmasters would give him the prefer ence. But once out of European Bus sia, he had to depend alone on the pow' er of his rubies. But to what sort of vehicle shoid he harness his horses? Michael Strogoff was lucky enough to discover a tarantass. It Is to be hoped that the invention of Russian coachbuilders will devise some Improvement In this last named vehicle. Springs are wanting in it, so It is very uncomfortable. In the ab sence of iron, wood is not spared, but its four wheels, with eight or nine feet between them, assure a certain equilib rium over the jolting, rough roads. A splash board protects the travelers from the -mud, and a strong leather hood, which may be pulled quite over the oc cupiers, shelters them from- the great heat and violent storms of the summer. It was not without careful search that Michael managed to discover this tarantass, and the're was probably not a second to be found in all the town of Perm. Notwithstanding that, he hag gled long ajout the price, for form's sake, to act up to his part as Nicholas Korpanoff, a plain merchant of Ir kutsk. Nadia had followed her companion in his search after a suitable vehicle. Al though the object of each was differ ent, bothn were equally anxious to ar rive and consequently to start. One would have said the same will animat ed them both. "Sister,". said Michael, "I wish I could have found a more comfortable conveyance for you." "Do you say that to me, brother, when I would have gone on foot, If need were, to rejoin my father?" "I do not doubt your courage, Nadia, but there are physical fatigues which a woman may be unable to endure." "I shall endure them, whatever they may be,' replied the girl. "If you ever hear a complaint from my lips, you. may leave me in the road and continue your journey alone." Half an hour later on, the podorojna en peenter1 by Michael. three nost horses were harnessed to the tarantass. These animals, covered with long hair, were very like long legged bears. They were small, but spirited. being of Sibe rian breed. They were harnessed thus: One, the largest, was secured between two long shafts on whose farther end was a hoop called a douga, carrying tassels and bells. The two others were sim ply fastened by ropes to the steps of the tarantass. This was the complete har ness, with miere strings for reins. Neither Michael Strogoff nor the young Livonian girl had any baggage. The rapidity with which one wished to make the journey and the more than modest resources of the other prevent ed them from embarrassing themselves with packages. It was a fortunate -thing under the circumstances, for the tarantass could not have carried both baggage and ti'avelers. It was only made for two persons, without count ing the driver, who kept his equilibri um on his narrow seat in a marvelous manner. The driver is changed at every relay. The man who drove the tarantass dur ing the first stage was, like his horses, a Siberian and no less shaggy than they-long hair, cut square on the fore head, hat with turned up rim, red belt, coat with crossed facings and buttons stamped with the imperial cipher. The driver on coming up with h:s team threw an inquisitive glance at the pas sengers of the tarantass. No luggage? And had there been. where in the world could he have c:,wed it? Rath er shabby in appearance too. He look ed contemptuous. ."Crows," said he, without caring whether he was overheard or not; "crows at 6 copecks a verst!" "No; erles," said Michael, who un derstood the slaug perfectly; "eagles, do you hear. at 0 copecks a verst and a tip besides." He was answered by a merry crack of the whip. In the language of the Russian pos tilions the "crow" is the stingy or poor traveler who at the posthouses only pays 2 or 3 copecks a verst for the horses. The "eagle" is the traveler who does not mind expense, to say nothing of liberal tips. Therefore the crow could not claim to fly as rapidly as the imperial bird. Nadia and Michael. immediately took their places in the tarantass. A small store of provisions was put in the box, in case at any time they were delayed in reaching the posthouses, which are very comfortably provided under di -ection of the state. The hood was pulled up, as it was insupportably hot, and at 12 o'clock the tarantass, drawn by its three horses, left Perm in a cloud of dust. CHAPTER TI. N the afternoon of the 23d of July Michael Strogoff and Nadia were not more than thirty versts from Ichim. Suddenly Michael caught sight of a car riage, scarcely visible among the clouds of dust, preceding them along the road. As his horses were evidently less fatigued than those of the other traveler, he would not be long in overtaking it. This was neither a tarantas nor a telga, but a post ber lin, all over dust and looking as if it had made a long journey. The postil Ion was thrashing his horses with all his might and only kept them at a gallop by dint of abuse and blows. The berlin had certainly not passed through Novo-Saimsk and could only have struck the Irkutsk road by some less frequested route across the steppe. Michael's first thought on seeing this berlin was to get in front of it and ar rive first at the relay, so as to make sure of fresh horses. He said a word to his driver, who soon brought him up with the berlin. As he passed a head was thrust out of the window of the berlin. - He had~ no time to see what it was like, but as he dashed by he distinctly heard this word uttered in an imperi ous tone: "Stop!" But he did not stop. On the contrary, the berlin was soon distanced by the trantass. It now became a regular race, for the horses of the berlin. no doubt excited by the sight and pace of the others, re covered their strength and kept up for some minutes. The two carriages were hidden in a cloud of dust. From this cloud issued the cracking of whips, mingled with excited shouts and ex clamations of anger. Nevertheless the advantage remained with Michael, which miight be very im portant to him if the relay were poorly provided with horses. Two carriages were perhaps more than-the:postmaster could provide for, at least: in> a short space of time. Halt an hour after the berlin was left far behind, looking only a speck on the horizon on the steppe. It was 8 o'clock in the evening whe~n Michael and his companion arrived at the posthouse in Ichim. The news-was worse and worse with regard to the invasion. Here had ,.arrived just aL short time before two men. The one was English., the other French. Both were tall and thin, but the latter was sallow, as Are the south ern provencals, while the former was ruddy like a Lancashire gentleman. The Anglo-Norman, forma., cold, grave, parsimonious of gestures and words, appearing only to speak or gesticulate under the influence of a spring operat lg at regular intervals. The Gaul, on the contrary, was lively and petulant, expressed himself with lips, eyes, hands, all at once, having twenty dif ferent ways of explaining his thoughts, whereas his interlocutor seemed to have only one immutably stereotyped on his brain. The strong contrast they presented would at once have struck the most superficial observer, but a physiogno mist, r-egarding them more closely, would have denined their particular characteristics by saying that if the Frenchman was "all eyes," the Eng lishman was "all ears." In fact, the visual apparatus of the one had 'been singularly perfected by 1 practice. The sensibility of its retina mst have been as Instantaneous as that of those conjurers who recognize a card merely by a rapid movement in cutting the pack or by the arrangement1 only of marks invisible to others. The1 Frenchman. Indeed, possessed in the hihs eree what may be called "the memoy oftheeye." The Englishman, on the contrary, ap peared especially organi::ed to listeni and to hear'. When his aural appara tus had been once struck by the sound of a voice, he could not f'orget it, and Iafter tenl or even twerty years he would have recognized it among a thousand. His ears, to be sure, had not the power of mcoving as freely as those of animals who are provided with. large auditory flaps; but, since scien tific men know that human ears pos sess, in fact, a very limited power of movement, we should not be far wrong In affirming that those of the said nirnisman beanme erecl- and turned In all dirctcoas while eudeavo-ng; t gather in the sounds in a mauner nr parent only to the naturalist. It mu: be observed that this perfeetiou o sight and hearing was of vonderfu assistance to these tw. xrxen in the: vocation, :.or the Englishman acted a correspondent for The Daily Telegrap] and the Frenchman as corresponden of the-of what newspaper -or of wha newspapers he did not say, and whe! asked he replied in a jocular imanne that he corresponded with *his cousil Madeleine." This Frenchman, however beneath his-careless surface was won derfully shrewd and sagacious. Eve; while spe.king at ranlom, perhtps th better to hide his desire to learn, h never forgot himself.. His loquacit; even helped him to conceal his thoughts and he was perhaps even more discree than his confrere of The Daily Tele graph. It'is needless to say that these tw< men were devoted to their mission i1 the world-that they delighted to throv themselves in the track of the most un expected Intelligence; that nothing ter rified or discouraged them from suc ceeding; that they possessed the im perturbable sang froid and the genuin Intrepidity of men of their calling. En thusiastic jockeys in this steeplechase this hunt after Information, they leap ed hedges, crossed rivers, sprang ove fences with the ardor of pure bloode< racers who will run "a good first" o die. Their journals did not restrict ther with regard to money. the surest, thi most rapid, the most perfect elemen f information known to this day. I must alo be added, to their honor, tha neither the one nor the other ever look ed or listened at the walls of privat, life and that they only exercised thei vocation when political or social inter ests were at stake. In a word, the, made what has been for some year called "the great political and militar reports." It will be seen in following them tha they had generally an independen mode of viewing events and, above all their consequences, each having hit own way of observing and appreciat ing. The object to be obtained bein of adequate value, they never failed t< expend the money required. The French correspondent was nam ed Alcide Jolivet. Harry Blount wa! the name of the Englishman. The dis similarity of their characaters, added t< a certain amount of jealousy, whicl genergliy exists between rivals in- th4 same calling, might have renderei them but little sympathetic. However they did not avoid one another, but en deavored rather to exchange with eacl other the news of the day. They wer two sportsmen, after all, hunting or the same grounds, in the same pre serve. That which one missed migh1 be advantageously secured by the oth er, and it was to their Interest to mee1 and converse together. From these two correspondents Mi chtael learned that the town itself wal menaced by the Tartar vanguard, and two days before the authorities ha( been obliged to retreat to -Tbbolsk, There was not an officer nor a soldiei Left In Ichim. On arriving at the relay Mlehael Stro goff immediately asked for horses. He had been fortunate In distancing the berlin. Only three horses were in a fit state to be Immediately harnessed. The oth ers had just come in worn out from Long stage. The postmaster gave the order t< put to. As the two correspondents lntended to stop at Ichim, they had not to trou ble themselves to find means of trans port and therefore had'their carriagi put away. In ten minutes Michael was told thai his tarantass was ready to start. "Good," said he. Then, turning to the two reporters, e said: "Well, gentlemen, since you remali t Ichim, I wish you success in the prosecution of your mission." "What, Mr. Korpanoff," said AlidE olvet, "shall ycu not stop even for ax hour at Ichim?" "No, sir, and I also wish to leave the posthouse before the arrival of a berlix which I distanced." "Are you afraid that the traveler will lspute the horses with you?" "I particularly wish to avoid any dif aculty." "Itis possble that'i.......-etyou gain in a fewv days at Ozsi:,'' added Blount. "It Is possible," answered Michael, 'since I am going straight there." "Well, .I wish you a safe journey, Mr. Korpanoff,". said Alcide. Almost immediately the sound of a arriage was heard outside, the door tas flung open and a man appeared. It was the traveler of the berlin, a niitary looking man, apparently aboul orty years of age, tall, robust in fig ire, broad shouldered, with a strongly tet head and thiclg mustache meeting ed whiskers. He wore a plain uni ~orm. A cavalry saber hung .at his tide, and in his hand he held a short landled whip. "Horses," he demanded, with the air >f a man accustomed to command. "I have no more disposable horses,' inswered the postmaster, bowing. "I must have some this moment." "It is impossible." "What are those horses which have 'ust been harnessed to the tarantass I taw at the door?" "They belong to this traveler." an twered the postmaster. pointing to Mi !hael Strogoff. "Take them out!" said the traveler n a tone which admitted of no reply. Michael then advanced "These horses are engaged by me,' ie said. "What does that matter? I must iave them. Come, be <quick; I have no :ne to-lose." "I have no time to lose either," re yled Michael, endeavoring to be calm, yut restraining himself with difficulty. Nadia was near him, calm also, bu' ecretly uneasy at .a scene which it would have been better toavoid. "Enough!" said the traveler. Then, going up to the postmaster: "Let the horses be taken out of the arantass and put into my berlin," he melaimed, with a threatening gesture. The postmaster, much embarrassed, lid not know whom to obey and looked it Michael, who evidently had the righi : resist the unjust demands of the Taveler. Michael hesitated an instant. He did iot wish to make use of his podorojna, hich would have drawn attention to lm, and he was most unwilling either y giving up his horses to delay his lourney, and yet it was important nol : engage in a struggle which mighi yompromise his mission. The two reporters looked at him. ready to support him should he appeal to them. "My horses will, remain In my car lage," said Micha~el, but without rais ng his tone wore than would be suit tble for a plain Irkutsk merchant. The traveler advanced toward Mi 3hael and laid his hand heavily on his shoulder. t "Is Itmon"b a id in a rough voice. "ou will not give up .your horses tc me?" L "No," answered Michael. I --Very well, then they. shall belong to e whichever of us Is able to start. De- 1 s fend yourself. for I shall not spare a you"' t So saying the traveler drew his saber t from its sheath, and Nadia threw her A self before Michael. :r Blount and Alcide Jolivet advanced. toward him. "I shall not fight," said Michael quiet- I ly, folding his arms across his chest. 3 "You will not fight?" U "No." e "Not even after this?" exclaimed the traveler, and before any one could pre vent him he struck Michael's shoulder t with the handle of the whip. At this insult Michael turned deadly pale. His hands moved convulsively, as if he ' would have knocked the brute down. I But by a tremendous effort he master r ed himself. A dueli It was more than a delay; it was perhaps the failure of his mission. It would be better- ta lose some hours. Yes, but to swallowv this affront! 2 "Will you flght now, coward?" re peated the traveler, adding coarseness to brutality. "No," answered Michael, without r moving, but looking the other straight I in the face. r "The horses this moment," said the man and left the room. The postmas i ter followed him. a The effect produced on the reporters t by this Incident was not to Michael's t advantage. 'heir discomfiture was vis t ible. How could this strong young man allow himself to be struck like a that and not demand satisfaction for r such an insult? They contented them selves with bowing to him and retired. A moment afterward the noise of i wheels and the cracking -of a whip showed that the berlin, drawn by the tarantass' horses, was driving rapidly t away from the posthouse. t Nadia, unmoved, and Michael, still , quivering, remained alone In the room. I The courier of the czar, his arms crossed over his chest, was seated mo tionless as a statue. However, a color which could not have been the blush 1 of shame had replaced the paleness oil his manly countenance. C Nadia did not doubt that. powerful I *reasons alone could have allowed him to suffer so great a humiliation from such a man. Then, going up to him as he had come 1 1 to her in the police station at Nijni Novgorod, she said: "Your hand, brother." And at the same time her hand with an almost maternal gesture wiped away a tear which sprung to her compan ion's eyes. CHAPTER VII. tADIA, with the clear pen~ ception of a right mind ed woman, guessed that some secret motive di rected all Michael Stro N goff's actions; that he for 1 a reason unknown to het did not belong to himself; that he had not the power of doing what he de sired, and that in this instance especial ly he had heroically sacrificed to duty even his resentment at the gross Injury he had received Nadla, therefore, asked no explana tion from Michrael. Had not the handI which she had extended to him already1 replied to all that he might have beer able to tell her? Michael remained silent all the even I ng. The postmaster not being able to supply them writh fresh horses until the next morning, a whole night must be passed at the house. Nadia could profit by it to takie some rest, and a room was therefore prepared for her. The young girl would no doubt have preferred not to leave her companion,t but she felt that he would rather be alone, and she made ready to go to her room. Just as she was about to retire she could not refrain from going up to Mi-g chael to say good night. "Brother," she whispered. But he checked her with a gesture. The girl sighed and left the room. Michael Strogoff did not lie down. He could not have slept even for an hour. The place on which he had been struck by the brutal traveler felt like a burn. I"For my country and the Father," he muttered as he ended his evening pray. er. He especially felt a great wish to kow who was the man who had I struck him, whence he came and where he was going. As to his face, the fea tures of it were so deeply engraved onr his memory that. he had no fear of ever forgetting them. Michael at last asked for the post- ~ master. The latter, a Siberian of the old type, came directly and, lookingr rather contemptuously at the young man, waited to be questioned. "You belong to the country?" asked Michaee..1 "Yes." -t "Do you know that man who took my horses?" "No." "Had you never seen him before?" "Never." "Who do you think he was?" "A man who knows how to make himself obeyed." tihae ixed his piercing gaze upon theSierinbut the other did not quail before it. "Do you dare to judge me?" exclaim ed Michael. "Yes," answered the Siberian, "for there are some things that even a plain ~ merchant cannot receive without re turning." "Blows?" "Blows, young man. I am of an age and strength to tell you so." Michael went up to the postmaster and laid his two powerful hands on his shoulders. Then in a peculiarly calm tone he said: "Be off, my friend: be off! I could kill you."C The postmaster understood this time. "I like him better for that," he mut tered as he retired without adding an other word. 1 At 8 o'clock the next morning, the 24th of July, three strong horses were harnessed to the tarantass. Michael and Nadia took their places, and Ichim, with its disagreeable remembrances. was soon left far behind. The next day, July 25, at 3 o'clock in the morning, the tarantass arrived at the posthouse In Tioukalmsk, having8 accoiplished a distance of 120 v-ersts since it had crossed the Ichim.r They rapidly changed horses. Here,a however, for the first time the driver made difficulties about starting, declar ing that detachments of Tartars were roving across the steppe and that trav- C elers, horses and carriages would be a fine prize for such robbers. Only by dint of a large bribe could I Michael get over the unwillingness of ~ the driver, for In this Instance, as in many others, he did not wish to show his podorojna. The last ukase, having been transmitted by telegraph, was known in the Siberian provinces, and's Russan seciallnexermpted from obey lug these orders would certainly nave Irawn public attention to himself, a thing above all to be avoided by the :zar's courier. As to the driver's hesi tation, either the rascal traded on the traveler's impatience or he really had ;ood reason to fear some misfortune. However, at last the tarantass start .d and made such good way that by 3 ,n the afternoon it had reached Kou atsinskoe, eighty versts farther on. in hour after this it was on the banks >f the Irtish. Omsk was now only :wenty versts distant. The Irtish is a large river and one of :he principal of those which flow to .vard the north of Asia. Rising In the Itai mountains, it flows from the southeast to the northwest and emp :ies itself into the Obi after a course of early 7,000 versts. At this time of year, when all th6 ivers of the Siberian basin are much wollen, the waters of the Irtish were rery high. In consequence the current ivas changed to a regular torrent, ren lering the passage difficult enough. A -wimmer could not have crossed, how ver powerful a one he might be, a'd ven- in a ferryboat there would be ome danger. But Michael and Nadia, determined o brave all perils whatever they might )e, did not dream of shrinking from his one. However, Michael proposed to his Toung companion that he should cross Irst, embarking in the ferryboat with :he tarantass and horses, as he feared :hat the weight of this load would ren ler it less safe. After landing the car !iage on the opposite bank he would -eturn and fetch Nadia. The girl refused. It would be the lelay of an hour, and she would not or her safety alone be the cause of It. The embarkation was made not with ut difficulty, for the banks were partly looded and the boat could not get in 1ear enough. However, after half an hour's exer :ion the boatmen got the tarantasa and he three horses on board. Michael, iadia and the driver embarked also, d they shoved off. For a few minutes all went well. A ittle way up the river the current was roken by a long point projecting from he bank and formed an eddy easily rossed by the boat.' The two boatmen ropelled their barge with long poles, rhich they handled cleverly, but as hey gained the middle of the stream t grew deeper and deeper until at last hey could only just reach the bottom. Lhe ends of the poles were only a foot ,bove the water, which rendered their Ise difficult and insufficient. Michael d Nadia, seated in the stern of the oat and always in dread of a delay, vatched the boatmen with some un siness. "Look out!" cried one of them to his omrade. The shout was occasioned by the new irection the boat was rapidly taking. t had got into the direct current and vas being swept down the r!ver. By iligent use of the poles, putting the ds in a series of notches cut below he gunwale, the boatmen managed to :eep their craft against the stream and lowly urged it in a slanting direction oward the right bank. They calculated. on reaching it some ive or six versts below the landing. lace; but, after all, that would not natter so long as men and beasts~could isenbark without accident. The two ;tout boatmen, stimulated, moreover, my the promise of double fare, did not oubt of succeeding in this difficult >assage of the Irtish. But they reckoned without an inel ent which they were powerless to pre rent, aid neither/their zeal nor their killfulness could under the circum tances have dohe more. The boat was in the middle of the urrent at nearly equal dfstances from ither shore and being carried down at he rate of two versts an hour when fchael, springing to his feet, bent his ~aze up the river. Several boats, aided- by oars as well ,s by the current, weresoming swiftly own upon them. - Michael's brow contracted, and an ex lamation escaped him. "What is the matter?' asked the girl. But before Michael had time to reply ne of the boatmen exclaimed in an ac ent of terror: "The Tartars! The Tartars!" They were indeed boats full of sol iers, and in a few minutes they mus: each the ferryboat, it being too heav ly laden to escape from, them. The terrified boatmen uttered excla natfons of despair and dropped their ioles. "Courage, my friends!" cried Michael. Courage! Fifty rubles for you if we each the right bank before the boats ivertake us!" Incited by these words, the boatmen gain worked manfully away, but it oon became* evident that they could ot escape the Tartars. It was scarcely probable that they vould pass without attacking them. )n the contrary, there was everything o be feared from robbers such as hese. "Do not be afraid, Nadia," said Mi hael, "but be ready for anything." "I am ready," replied Nadia. "Even to throw yourself into the wa er when I tell you?' "Whenever you tell me." "Have confidence in me. Nadia." "I have indeed." The Tartar boats were now only 8 tundred feet distant. They carried a etachment of Bokharian soldiers aD heir way to reconnoiter round Omsk. The ferryboat was stIll two lengths ram the shore. The boatmen redou iled their efforts. Michael himself seiz d a pole and wielded it with superhu ian strength. If he could land the arantass and horses and dash off with bem, there was some chance of escap ag the Tartars. who were not mount But all their efforts were in vain. The soldiers from the first boat shout Michael recognized the Tartar war ry, which is usually answered by lying at on the ground. As neither he nor the boatmen obeyed hs injunction, a volley was let fly mong them, and two of the horses rere mortally wo.unded. At the next moment a violent blow as felt. The boats hand run into the erryboat. "Come, Nadia!" cried Michael, ready Sjump overboard. The girl was about to follow him ?en a blow from a lance struck him, nd he was thrown into the water. The rrent swept him away. His hand ised for an instant above the waves, nd then he disappeared. Nadia uttered a cry, but before she ad time to throw herself after him he was seized and dragged Into one the boats. In a few minutes the boatmen were filed and the ferryboat was left to rift away while the Tartars continued >descend the Irtish. [ContInued on next page.] Batsams from the Northern Wood Roofing Paper. 3-ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll. 2-ply Roofing Paper .......52e per roll. 1-ply Tarred Paper........$35 per ton. Rosin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs. per roll..................30c per roll. 20-tb. Paper...............38c per roll. 30-1b. Paper...............50c per roll. All prices f.o.b. Charleston. For direct shipments from factory in lots of 25, 50 or 100 rolls, we can make closer delivered prices. MERUN P111110D CMIT Cr 94-96 E. Bay St., CHABLESTON, S. C, U000 A 10105lid nlllr oillln s l ili OrnICZ or JUDGE OF PODATZ, Manning,"S. C., August 1, 1900. To Executors. Administrators, Guardlansa:And Committees: I respectfully call your attention to annexed statute. You will nlease give hls matter early attention. Very respectfll Judge of Probate. Sec. 2064-(19V). Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Committees, shall annually while any estate remains in their care or cus tody, at any tune before the arst day o.July of each year, render to the Judge of Probate of-the county from whom they obtain Lettetseta mentary or Letters of A dministrators or Let ters of Guardianship, etc., a just and true ac count, upon oath, of the receipts and - tures of such estate the preceding an year, whieh, when examined and appoved shall be deposited 'with the Inventory and ap praisement or other papers belonginto such estate, in the office -of said Judgeof -Probate there to be kept for the inspection of such per sons as may be interested in the estate-(under former penalties.) Approved the 2d day of March, 1897. Money to Lend On improved farming lands. Terms: as long as wanted; interest, 7 per -cent on large loans; 8 r cent. on small loans. For particurs apply to LEE & MOISE, Attorneys, Sumter, S. C. I have opened up a Sewing. achine store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's general merchandise store August 1st, 1900. I will carry the ill Ijigl 8611g Eli f9 The new ball-bearing "New. ome," the b d e made: -as N Ideal" and "Cimx" 3fri ft $40. .I sell on Instalment, Easy Piyment Plan. I clean and repair any o machines for least money possible. Call and see me. A. I. BARRONA Agt. WHEN YOU COME TO TOWN CALLAT SHAVING SALOON Which is fitted up with an eye to the comfort of hi customers. . . . . - HAIR QUTTING - IN ALL STYLES, SH AVING AND SH AMPOOING Done with neatness, an dispatch.. ..... A cordial inzvitation - is extended... J. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. TO CONSUMERS OF Lager .Beer. We are now in position to ship, our Beer all over the State at the following prices: -EXPORT. Imperial Brew-Pints, at $1.10 per doz. Kuffheiser-Pints, at....90c per doz. Germania P. M.-Pints, at 90e per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mdothers and Invalids. Brewed fromu the highest grade of Barley-Malt and [mported Hops, at....I.1 per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, orse in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and 3areful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. QERMANIA BREWING -CO., Charleston, S. C. - Salary YEARLY. Men and women of good address to represent is, some to travel appointing agents, others for oal worke looking after our interests. 1900 salary guaranteed yearly; extra commission md expenses; rapid advancement; old estab ished house. Grahd chne for earnest man or roman to secure pleasant, permanent poito iberal income and future. New, brilatlines. Write at once. STAFFORD P'RESS, ?3 Church St., New Haven, Conn. J. M. McCOLLOUGH, Opposite Central Hotel. 'Give me a trial and 1 will give you he best work for little money. Fiarness Made & .Repaired. Satisfaction guaranteed. A. WEINBERG, ,ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNNING, S. C. JOSEPH F. RHAME, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. J. s. WILSON. w. C. DURANtT WILSON & DuRANT, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, MANNING, S. C.. C. DAVIS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. DR. J. FRANK GEIGER, DENTIST, -MANNING, S. C. 'Pnne No. 25.