It can be imagined with what thoughts Michael's mind was now occupied!
Who could have been astonished had he, in his present situation,
lost all hope and all courage? Nothing of the sort, however; his lips
muttered no other words than these: "I will get there!"
Half an hour after the attack of the Tartar horsemen,
Michael Strogoff, Nadia, and Nicholas entered Nijni-Oudinsk. The
faithful dog followed them, though at a distance.
They could not stay in the town, as it was in flames,
and about to be left by the last of the marauders.
The prisoners were therefore thrown on horses and hurried away;
Nicholas resigned as usual, Nadia, her faith in Michael unshaken,
and Michael himself, apparently indifferent, but ready to seize
any opportunity of escaping.
The Tartars were not long in perceiving that one of their
prisoners was blind, and their natural barbarity led them to make
game of their unfortunate victim. They were traveling fast.
Michael's horse, having no one to guide him, often started aside,
and so made confusion among the ranks. This drew on his rider
such abuse and brutality as wrung Nadia's heart, and filled Nicholas
with indignation. But what could they do? They could not speak
the Tartar language, and their assistance was mercilessly refused.
Soon it occurred to these men, in a refinement of cruelty,
to exchange the horse Michael was riding for one which was blind.
The motive of the change was explained by a remark which
Michael overheard, "Perhaps that Russian can see, after all!"
Michael was placed on this horse, and the reins ironically put
into his hand.
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