As to himself, Michael learnt, by some words from the pendja-baschi,
that a price was set on his head, and that orders had been given
to take him, dead or alive.
It was necessary, therefore, to get the start of the Usbeck horsemen
on the Irkutsk road, and put the Obi between himself and them.
But to do that, he must escape before the camp was broken up.
His determination taken, Michael prepared to execute it.
Indeed, the halt would not be prolonged, and the pendja-baschi did
not intend to give his men more than an hour's rest, although their
horses could not have been changed for fresh ones since Omsk,
and must be as much fatigued as that of Michael Strogoff.
There was not a moment to lose. It was within an hour of morning.
It was needful to profit by the darkness to leave the little wood
and dash along the road; but although night favored it the success
of such a flight appeared to be almost impossible.
Not wishing to do anything at random, Michael took time for reflection,
carefully weighing the chances so as to take the best.
From the situation of the place the result was this--
that he could not escape through the back of the wood, the stream
which bordered it being not only deep, but very wide and muddy.
Beneath this thick water was a slimy bog, on which the foot
could not rest. There was only one way open, the high-road. To
endeavor to reach it by creeping round the edge of the wood,
without attracting attention, and then to gallop at headlong speed,
required all the remaining strength and energy of his noble steed.
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