michael strogoff-第34章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


and　blacker；　and　the　waters　of　the　Tom；　totally　obscured　in　the　distance；
mingled　with　the　approaching　shadows。

But　at　that　instant　several　hundreds　of　slaves；　bearing　lighted
torches；　entered　the　square。　　Led　by　Sangarre；　Tsiganes　and
Persians　reappeared　before　the　Emir's　throne；　and　showed　off；
by　the　contrast；　their　dances　of　styles　so　different。
The　instruments　of　the　Tartar　orchestra　sounded　forth　in　harmony
still　more　savage；　accompanied　by　the　guttural　cries　of　the　singers。
The　kites；　which　had　fallen　to　the　ground；　once　more　winged
their　way　into　the　sky；　each　bearing　a　parti…colored　lantern；
and　under　a　fresher　breeze　their　harps　vibrated　with　intenser
sound　in　the　midst　of　the　aerial　illumination。

Then　a　squadron　of　Tartars；　in　their　brilliant　uniforms；
mingled　in　the　dances；　whose　wild　fury　was　increasing　rapidly；
and　then　began　a　performance　which　produced　a　very　strange　effect。
Soldiers　came　on　the　ground；　armed　with　bare　sabers　and
long　pistols；　and；　as　they　executed　dances；　they　made　the　air
re…echo　with　the　sudden　detonations　of　their　firearms；
which　immediately　set　going　the　rumbling　of　the　tambourines；
and　grumblings　of　the　daires；　and　the　gnashing　of　doutares。

Their　arms；　covered　with　a　colored　powder　of　some　metallic　ingredient；
after　the　Chinese　fashion；　threw　long　jetsred；　green；　and　blue
so　that　the　groups　of　dancers　seemed　to　be　in　the　midst　of　fireworks。
In　some　respects；　this　performance　recalled　the　military　dance
of　the　ancients；　in　the　midst　of　naked　swords；　but　this　Tartar　dance
was　rendered　yet　more　fantastic　by　the　colored　fire；　which　wound；
serpent…like；　above　the　dancers；　whose　dresses　seemed　to　be　embroidered
with　fiery　hems。　　It　was　like　a　kaleidoscope　of　sparks；　whose　infinite
combinations　varied　at　each　movement　of　the　dancers。

Though　it　may　be　thought　that　a　Parisian　reporter　would　be　perfectly
hardened　to　any　scenic　effect；　which　our　modern　ideas　have　carried　so　far；
yet　Alcide　Jolivet　could　not　restrain　a　slight　movement　of　the　head；
which　at　home；　between　the　Boulevard　Montmartre　and　La　Madeleine　would
have　said〃Very　fair；　very　fair。〃

Then；　suddenly；　at　a　signal；　all　the　lights　of　the　fantasia
were　extinguished；　the　dances　ceased；　and　the　performers　disappeared。
The　ceremony　was　over；　and　the　torches　alone　lighted　up　the　plateau；
which　a　few　instants　before　had　been　so　brilliantly　illuminated。

On　a　sign　from　the　Emir；　Michael　was　led　into　the　middle　of　the　square。

〃Blount；〃　said　Alcide　to　his　companion；　〃are　you　going　to　see
the　end　of　all　this？〃

〃No；　that　I　am　not；〃　replied　Blount。

〃The　readers　of　the　Daily　Telegraph　are；　I　hope；　not　very　eager
for　the　details　of　an　execution　a　la　mode　Tartare？〃

〃No　more　than　your　cousin！〃

〃Poor　fellow！〃　added　Alcide；　as　he　watched　Michael。　　〃That　valiant
soldier　should　have　fallen　on　the　field　of　battle！〃

〃Can　we　do　nothing　to　save　him？〃　said　Blount。

〃Nothing！〃

The　reporters　recalled　Michael's　generous　conduct　towards　them；
they　knew　now　through　what　trials　he　must　have　passed；
ever　obedient　to　his　duty；　and　in　the　midst　of　these　Tartars；
to　whom　pity　is　unknown；　they　could　do　nothing　for　him。
Having　little　desire　to　be　present　at　the　torture　reserved
for　the　unfortunate　man；　they　returned　to　the　town。
An　hour　later；　they　were　on　the　road　to　Irkutsk；　for　it　was　among
the　Russians　that　they　intended　to　follow　what　Alcide　called；
by　anticipation；　〃the　campaign　of　revenge。〃

Meantime；　Michael　was　standing　ready；　his　eyes　returning　the　Emir's
haughty　glance；　while　his　countenance　assumed　an　expression　of　intense
scorn　whenever　he　cast　his　looks　on　Ivan　Ogareff。　　He　was　prepared　to　die；
yet　not　a　single　sign　of　weakness　escaped　him。

The　spectators；　waiting　around　the　square；　as　well　as　Feofar…Khan's
body…guard；　to　whom　this　execution　was　only　one　of　the　attractions；
were　eagerly　expecting　it。　　Then；　their　curiosity　satisfied；
they　would　rush　off　to　enjoy　the　pleasures　of　intoxication。

The　Emir　made　a　sign。　　Michael　was　thrust　forward　by　his
guards　to　the　foot　of　the　terrace；　and　Feofar　said　to　him；
〃You　came　to　see　our　goings　out　and　comings　in；　Russian　spy。
You　have　seen　for　the　last　time。　　In　an　instant　your　eyes
will　be　forever　shut　to　the　day。〃

Michael's　fate　was　to　be　not　death；　but　blindness；
loss　of　sight；　more　terrible　perhaps　than　loss　of　life。
The　unhappy　man　was　condemned　to　be　blinded。

However；　on　hearing　the　Emir's　sentence　Michael's　heart　did　not
grow　faint。　　He　remained　unmoved；　his　eyes　wide　open；　as　though
he　wished　to　concentrate　his　whole　life　into　one　last　look。
To　entreat　pity　from　these　savage　men　would　be　useless；　besides；
it　would　be　unworthy　of　him。　　He　did　not　even　think　of　it。
His　thoughts　were　condensed　on　his　mission；　which　had　apparently
so　completely　failed；　on　his　mother；　on　Nadia；　whom　he　should　never
more　see！　　But　he　let　no　sign　appear　of　the　emotion　he　felt。
Then；　a　feeling　of　vengeance　to　be　accomplished　came　over　him。
〃Ivan；〃　said　he；　in　a　stern　voice；　〃Ivan　the　Traitor；　the　last
menace　of　my　eyes　shall　be　for　you！〃

Ivan　Ogareff　shrugged　his　shoulders。

But　Michael　was　not　to　be　looking　at　Ivan　when　his　eyes　were　put　out。
Marfa　Strogoff　stood　before　him。

〃My　mother！〃　cried　he。　　〃Yes！　yes！　my　last　glance　shall　be
for　you；　and　not　for　this　wretch！　　Stay　there；　before　me！
Now　I　see　once　more　your　well…beloved　face！　　Now　shall　my　eyes
close　as　they　rest　upon　it　。　。　。　！〃

The　old　woman；　without　uttering　a　word；　advanced。

〃Take　that　woman　away！〃　said　Ivan。

Two　soldiers　were　about　to　seize　her；　but　she　stepped　back　and　remained
standing　a　few　paces　from　Michael。

The　executioner　appeared。　　This　time；　he　held　his　saber
bare　in　his　hand；　and　this　saber　he　had　just　drawn　from
the　chafing…dish；　where　he　had　brought　it　to　a　white　heat。
Michael　was　going　to　be　blinded　in　the　Tartar　fashion；
with　a　hot　blade　passed　before　his　eyes！

Michael　did　not　attempt　to　resist。　　Nothing　existed　before
his　eyes　but　his　mother；　whom　his　eyes　seemed　to　devour。
All　his　life　was　in　that　last　look。

Marfa　Strogoff；　her　eyes　open　wide；　her　arms　extended　towards
where　he　stood；　was　gazing　at　him。　　The　incandescent　blade　passed
before　Michael's　eyes。

A　despairing　cry　was　heard。　　His　aged　mother　fell　senseless
to　the　ground。　　Michael　Strogoff　was　blind。

His　orders　executed；　the　Emir　retired　with　his　train。
There　remained　in　the　square　only　Ivan　Ogareff　and　the　torch　bearers。
Did　the　wretch　intend　to　insult　his　victim　yet　further；
and　yet　to　give　him　a　parting　blow？

Ivan　Ogareff　slowly　approached　Michael；　who；　feeling　him　coming；
drew　himself　up。　　Ivan　drew　from　his　pocket　the　Imperial　letter；
he　opened　it；　and　with　supreme　irony　he　held　it　up　before
the　sightless　eyes　of　the　Czar's　courier；　saying；　〃Read；　now；
Michael　Strogoff；　read；　and　go　and　repeat　at　Irkutsk　what　you　have　read。
The　true　Courier　of　the　Czar　is　Ivan　Ogareff。〃

This　said；　the　traitor　thrust　the　letter　into　his　breast。
Then；　without　looking　round　he　left　the　square；　followed
by　the　torch…bearers。

Michael　was　left　alone；　at　a　few　paces　from　his　mother；　lying　lifeless；
perhaps　dead。　　He　heard　in　the　distance　cries　and　songs；　the　varied
noises　of　a　wild　debauch。　　Tomsk；　illuminated；　glittered　and　gleamed。

Michael　listened。　　The　square　was　silent　and　deserted。　　He　went；
groping　his　way；　towards　the　place　where　his　mother　had　fallen。
He　found　her　with　his　hand；　he　bent　over　her；　he　put　his　face
close　to　hers；　he　listened　for　the　beating　of　her　heart。
Then　he　murmured　a　few　words。

Did　Marfa　still　live；　and　did　she　hear　her　son's　words？
Whether　she　did　so　or　not；　she　made　not　the　slightest　movement。
Michael　kissed　her　forehead　and　her　white　locks。　　He　then
raised　himself；　and；　groping　with　his　foot；　trying　to　stretch
out　his　hand　to　guide　himself；　he　walked　by　degrees　to　the　edge
of　the　square。

Suddenly　Nadia　appeared。　　She　walked　straight　to　her　companion。
A　knife　in　her　hand　cut　the　cords　which　bound　Michael's　arms。
The　blind　man　knew　not　who　had　freed　him；　for　Nadia　had　not
spoken　a　word。

But　this　done：　　〃Brother！〃　said　she。

〃Nadia！〃　murmured　Michael；　〃Nadia！〃

〃Come；　brother；〃　replied　Nadia；　〃use　my　eyes　whilst　yours　sleep。
I　will　lead　you　to　Irkutsk。〃


CHAPTER　VI　A　FRIEND　ON　THE　HIGHWAY

HALF　an　hour　afterwards；　Michael　and　Nadia　had　left　Tomsk。

Many　others　of　the　prisoners　were　that　night　able　to　escape
from　the　Tartars；　for　officers　and　soldiers；　all　more　or
less　intoxicated；　had　unconsciously　relaxed　the　vigilant　guard
which　they　had　hitherto　maintained。　　Nadia；　after　having
been　carried　off　with　the　other　prisoners；　had　been　able
to　escape　and　return　to　the　square；　at　the　moment　when　Michael
was　led　before　the　Emir。　　There；　mingling　with　the　crowd；
she　had　witnessed　the　terrible　scene。　　Not　a　cry　escaped　her
when　the　scorching　blade　passed　before　her　companion's　eyes。
She　kept；　by　her　strength　of　will；　mute　and　motionless。
A　providential　inspiration　bade　her　restrain　herself　and　retain
her　liberty　that　she　might　lead　Marfa's　son　to　that　goal　which
he　had　sworn　to　reach。　　Her　heart　for　an　instant　ceased　to　beat
when　the　aged　Siberian　woman　fell　senseless　to　the　ground；
but　one　thought　restored　her　to　her　former　energy。
〃I　will　be　the　blind　man's　dog；〃　said　she。

On　Ogareff's　departure；　Nadia　had　concealed　herself　in　the　shade。
She　had　waited　till　the　crowd　left　the　square。　　Michael；　abandoned　as
a　wretched　being　from　whom　nothing　was　to　be　feared；　was　alone。
She　saw　him　draw　himself　towards　his　mother；　bend　over　her；
kiss　her　forehead；　then　rise　and　grope　his　way　in　flight。

A　few　instants　later；　she　and　he；　hand　in　hand；　had　descended
the　steep　slope；　when；　after　having　followed　the　high　banks
of　the　Tom　to　the　furthest　extremity　of　the　town；　they　happily
found　a　breach　in　the　inclosure。

The　road　to　Irkutsk　was　the　only　one　which　penetrated　towards　the　east。
It　could　not　be　mistaken。　　It　was　possible　that　on　the　morrow；
after　some　hours　of　carousal；　the　scouts　of　the　Emir；　once　more
scattering　over　the　steppes；　might　cut　off　all　communication。
It　was　of　the　greatest　importance　therefore　to　get　in　advance　of　them。
How　could　Nadia　bear　the　fatigues　of　that　night；　from　the　l6th
to　the　17th　of　August？　　How　could　she　have　found　strength　for　so　long
a　stage？　　How　could　her　feet；　bleeding　under　that　forced　march；
have　carried　her　thither？　　It　is　almost　incomprehensible。
But　it　is　none　the　less　true　that　on　the　next　morning；　twelve　hours
after　their　departure　from　Tomsk；　Michael　and　she　reached　the　town
of　Semilowskoe；　after　a　journey　of　thirty…five　miles。

Michael　had　not　uttered　a　single　word。　　It　was　not　Nadia　who　held
his　hand；　it　was　he　who　held　that　of　his　companion　during　the　whole
of　that　night；　but；　thanks　to　that　trembling　little　hand　which　guided　him；
he　had　walked　at　his　ordinary　pace。

Semilowskoe　was　almost　entirely　abandoned。　　The　inhabitants　had　fled。
Not　more　than　two　or　three　houses　were　still　occupied。
All　that　the　town　contained；　useful　or　precious；　had　been　carried　off
in　wagons。　　However；　Nadia　was　obliged　to　make　a　halt　of　a　few　hours。
They　both　required　food　and　rest。

The　young　girl　led　her　companion　to　the　extremity