"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.
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