whole affair, but, as it seemed, with so little concurrence on his part, that, when Weseloff in a private 5 audience humbly remonstrated upon the injustice done him and the cruelty of thus sporting with his feelings by setting him at liberty, and, as it were, tempting him into dreams of home and restored happiness only for the purpose of blighting them, the good-natured prince disclaimed 10 all participation in the affair, and went so far in proving his sincerity as even to give him permission to effect his escape; and, as a ready means of commencing it without raising suspicion, the Khan mentioned to Mr. Weseloff that he had just then received a message from 15 the Hetman of the Bashkirs, soliciting a private interview on the banks of the Torgau at a spot pointed out.  That interview was arranged for the coming night; and Mr. Weseloff might go in the Khan’s suite, which on either side was not to exceed three persons.  Weseloff was a 20 prudent man, acquainted with the world, and he read treachery in the very outline of this scheme, as stated by the Khan—­treachery against the Khan’s person.  He mused a little, and then communicated so much of his suspicions to the Khan as might put him on his guard; 25 but, upon further consideration, he begged leave to decline the honor of accompanying the Khan.  The fact was that three Kalmucks, who had strong motives for returning to their countrymen on the west bank of the Wolga, guessing the intentions of Weseloff, had offered 30 to join him in his escape.  These men the Khan would probably find himself obliged to countenance in their project, so that it became a point of honor with Weseloff to conceal their intentions, and therefore to accomplish the evasion from the camp (of which the first steps only would be hazardous) without risking the notice of the Khan.

The district in which they were now encamped abounded through many hundred miles with wild horses 5 of a docile and beautiful breed.  Each of the four fugitives had caught from seven to ten of these spirited creatures in the course of the last few days.  This raised no suspicion, for the rest of the Kalmucks had been making the same sort of provision against the coming 10 toils of their remaining route to China.  These horses were secured by halters, and hidden about dusk in the thickets which lined the margin of the river.  To these thickets, about ten at night, the four fugitives repaired.  They took a circuitous path, which drew them as little as 15 possible within danger of challenge from any of the outposts or of the patrols which had been established on the quarters where the Bashkirs lay; and in three-quarters of an hour they reached the rendezvous.  The moon had now risen, the horses were unfastened; and they were 20 in the act of mounting, when the deep silence of the woods was disturbed by a violent uproar and the clashing