The Tsigane Sangarre,
who had accompanied him to the Angara, urged him to put this
plan in execution.
Indeed, it was necessary to act without delay.
The Russian troops from the government of Yakutsk were
advancing towards Irkutsk. They had concentrated along
the upper course of the Lena. In six days they would arrive.
Therefore, before six days had passed, Irkutsk must be betrayed.
Ogareff hesitated no longer.
One evening, the 2d of October, a council of war was held in the
grand saloon of the palace of the governor-general. This palace,
standing at the end of Bolchaia Street, overlooked the river.
From its windows could be seen the camp of the Tartars,
and had the invaders possessed guns of wider range, they would
have rendered the palace uninhabitable.
The Grand Duke, General Voranzoff, the governor of the town,
and the chief of the merchants, with several officers,
had collected to determine upon various proposals.
"Gentlemen," said the Grand Duke, "you know our situation exactly.
I have the firm hope that we shall be able to hold out until
the arrival of the Yakutsk troops. We shall then be able to drive
off these barbarian hordes, and it will not be my fault if they
do not pay dearly for this invasion of the Muscovite territory."
"Your Highness knows that all the population of Irkutsk may be relied on,"
said General Voranzoff.
"Yes, general," replied the Grand Duke, "and I do justice
to their patriotism.
Pages:
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339