Shouts were heard, and two or three shots fired.
Perhaps it was an attempt at revolt or escape, which must
be summarily suppressed.
Ivan Ogareff and the housch-begui walked forward and almost
immediately two men, whom the soldiers had not been able to keep
back appeared before them.
The housch-begui, without more information, made a sign which
was an order for death, and the heads of the two prisoners
would have rolled on the ground had not Ogareff uttered
a few words which arrested the sword already raised aloft.
The Russian had perceived that these prisoners were strangers,
and he ordered them to be brought to him.
They were Harry Blount and Alcide jolivet.
On Ogareff's arrival in the camp, they had demanded to be
conducted to his presence. The soldiers had refused.
In consequence, a struggle, an attempt at flight, shots fired
which happily missed the two correspondents, but their execution
would not have been long delayed, if it had not been for
the intervention of the Emir's lieutenant.
The latter observed the prisoners for some moments, they being absolutely
unknown to him. They had been present at that scene in the post-house
at Ichim, in which Michael Strogoff had been struck by Ogareff;
but the brutal traveler had paid no attention to the persons then
collected in the common room.
Blount and Jolivet, on the contrary, recognized him at once,
and the latter said in a low voice, "Hullo! It seems that Colonel Ogareff
and the rude personage of Ichim are one!" Then he added in his
companion's ear, "Explain our affair, Blount.
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