in the distance announced that a storm was at hand.
The electric tension was such that it could not be dispersed
without a tremendous explosion, which in the peculiar state
of the atmosphere would be very terrible.

Michael took care that his young companion should be as well protected
as possible. The hood, which might have been easily blown away,
was fastened more securely with ropes, crossed above and at the back.
The traces were doubled, and, as an additional precaution,
the nave-boxes were stuffed with straw, as much to increase the strength
of the wheels as to lessen the jolting, unavoidable on a dark night.
Lastly, the fore and hinder parts, connected simply by the axles to
the body of the tarantass, were joined one to the other by a crossbar,
fixed by means of pins and screws.

Nadia resumed her place in the cart, and Michael took his seat
beside her. Before the lowered hood hung two leathern curtains,
which would in some degree protect the travelers against the wind
and rain. Two great lanterns, suspended from the iemschik's seat,
threw a pale glimmer scarcely sufficient to light the way,
but serving as warning lights to prevent any other carriage
from running into them.

It was well that all these precautions were taken, in expectation
of a rough night. The road led them up towards dense masses of clouds,
and should the clouds not soon resolve into rain, the fog would
be such that the tarantass would be unable to advance without danger
of falling over some precipice.

The Ural chain does not attain any very great height,