before they can pass the frontier I shall be far beyond it.
They may take the route from Kasan to Ishim, but that affords
no resources to travelers. Besides a tarantass, drawn by good
Siberian horses, will always go faster than a gypsy cart!
Come, friend Korpanoff, be easy."

By this time the man and Sangarre had disappeared.

Kasan is justly called the "Gate of Asia" and considered as the center
of Siberian and Bokharian commerce; for two roads begin here and lead
across the Ural Mountains. Michael Strogoff had very judiciously
chosen the one by Perm and Ekaterenburg. It is the great stage road,
well supplied with relays kept at the expense of the government,
and is prolonged from Ishim to Irkutsk.

It is true that a second route--the one of which Michael had just spoken--
avoiding the slight detour by Perm, also connects Kasan with Ishim. It is
perhaps shorter than the other, but this advantage is much diminished
by the absence of post-houses, the bad roads, and lack of villages.
Michael Strogoff was right in the choice he had made, and if,
as appeared probable, the gipsies should follow the second route from
Kasan to Ishim, he had every chance of arriving before them.

An hour afterwards the bell rang on board the Caucasus,
calling the new passengers, and recalling the former ones.
It was now seven o'clock in the morning. The requisite fuel
had been received on board. The whole vessel began to vibrate
from the effects of the steam. She was ready to start.
Passengers going from Kasan to Perm were crowding on the deck.