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Michael Strogoff thus could learn nothing here; but if mouths were often
shut at his approach--for they did not know him- his ears were soon struck by
the sound of one voice, which cared little whether it was heard or not.
The man with the hearty voice spoke Russian, but with a French accent;
and another speaker answered him more reservedly. "What," said the first, "are
you on board this boat, too, my dear fellow; you whom I met at the imperial
fete in Moscow, and just caught a glimpse of at Nijni-Novgorod?"
"Yes, it's I," answered the second drily.
"Really, I didn't expect to be so closely followed."
"I am not following you sir; I am preceding you."
"Precede! precede! Let us march abreast, keeping step, like two soldiers
on parade, and for the time, at least, let us agree, if you will, that one
shall not pass the other."
"On the contrary, I shall pass you."
"We shall see that, when we are at the seat of war; but till then, why,
let us be traveling companions. Later, we shall have both time and occasion to
be rivals."
"Enemies."
"Enemies, if you like. There is a precision in your words, my dear
fellow, particularly agreeable to me. One may always know what one has to look
for, with you."
"What is the harm?"
"No harm at all. So, in my turn, I will ask your permission to state our
respective situations."
"State away."
"You are going to Perm--like me?"
"Like you."
"And probably you will go from Perm to Ekaterenburg, since that is the
best and safest route by which to cross the Ural Mountains?"
"Probably."
"Once past the frontier, we shall be in Siberia, that is to say in the
midst of the invasion."
"We shall be there."
"Well! then, and only then, will be the time to say, Each for himself,
and God for--"
"For me."
"For you, all by yourself! Very well! But since we have a week of neutral
days before us, and since it is very certain that news will not shower down
upon us on the way, let us be friends until we become rivals again."
"Enemies."
"Yes; that's right, enemies. But till then, let us act together, and not
try and ruin each other. All the same, I promise you to keep to myself all
that I can see--"
"And I, all that I can hear."
"Is that agreed?"
"It is agreed."
"Your hand?"
"Here it is." And the hand of the first speaker, that is to say, five
wide-open fingers, vigorously shook the two fingers coolly extended by the
other.
"By the bye," said the first, "I was able this morning to telegraph the
very words of the order to my cousin at seventeen minutes past ten."
"And I sent it to the Daily Telegraph at thirteen minutes past ten."
"Bravo, Mr. Blount!"
"Very good, M. Jolivet."
"I will try and match that!"
"It will be difficult."
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ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"I can try, however."
So saying, the French correspondent familiarly saluted the Englishman,
who bowed stiffly. The governor's proclamation did not concern these two
news-hunters, as they were neither Russians nor foreigners of Asiatic origin.
However, being urged by the same instinct, they had left Nijni-Novgorod
together. It was natural that they should take the same means of transport,
and that they should follow the same route to the Siberian steppes. Traveling
companions, whether enemies or friends, they had a week to pass together
before "the hunt would be open." And then success to the most expert! Alcide
Jolivet had made the first advances, and Harry Blount had accepted them though
he had done so coldly.
That very day at dinner the Frenchman open as ever and even too
loquacious, the Englishman still silent and grave, were seen hobnobbing at the
same table, drinking genuine Cliquot, at six roubles the bottle, made from the
fresh sap of the birch-trees of the country. On hearing them chatting away
together, Michael Strogoff said to himself: "Those are inquisitive and
indiscreet fellows whom I shall probably meet again on the way. It will be
prudent for me to keep them at a distance."
The young Livonian did not come to dinner. She was asleep in her cabin,
and Michael did not like to awaken her. It was evening before she reappeared
on the deck of the Caucasus. The long twilight imparted a coolness to the
atmosphere eagerly enjoyed by the passengers after the stifling heat of the
day. As the evening advanced, the greater number never even thought of going
into the saloon. Stretched on the benches, they inhaled with delight the
slight breeze caused by the speed of the steamer. At this time of year, and
under this latitude, the sky scarcely darkened between sunset and dawn, and
left the steersman light enough to guide his steamer among the numerous
vessels going up or down the Volga.
Between eleven and two, however, the moon being new, it was almost dark.
Nearly all the passengers were then asleep on the deck, and the silence was
disturbed only by the noise of the paddles striking the water at regular
intervals. Anxiety kept Michael Strogoff awake. He walked up and down, but
always in the stern of the steamer. Once, however, he happened to pass the
engine-room. He then found himself in the part reserved for second and
third-class passengers.
There, everyone was lying asleep, not only on the benches, but also on
the bales, packages, and even the deck itself. Some care was necessary not to
tread on the sleepers, who were lying about everywhere. They were chiefly
mujiks, accustomed to hard couches, and quite satisfied with the planks of the
deck. But no doubt they would, all the same, have soundly abused the clumsy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]