AndthemujikrelatedtoMichaelStrogoffthedifferentincidentsofthestrugglewhichhehadwitnessed——theattackupontheferrybytheTartarboats，thepillageofthetarantass，andthemassacreoftheboatmen。
ButMichaelStrogofflistenednolonger，andslippinghishandunderhisgarmenthefelttheimperialletterstillsecuredinhisbreast。
Hebreathedasighofrelief。
Butthatwasnotall。“Ayounggirlaccompaniedme，“saidhe。
“Theyhavenotkilledher，“repliedthemujik，anticipatingtheanxietywhichhereadintheeyesofhisguest。“Theyhavecarriedheroffintheirboat，andhavecontinuedthedescentofIrtych。ItisonlyoneprisonermoretojointhemanytheyaretakingtoTomsk！“