a woman may be unable to endure."

"I shall endure them, whatever they be," replied the girl.
"If you ever hear a complaint from me you may leave me in the road,
and continue your journey alone."

Half an hour later, the podorojna being presented by Michael,
three post-horses were harnessed to the tarantass. These animals,
covered with long hair, were very like long-legged bears.
They were small but spirited, being of Siberian breed.
The way in which the iemschik harnessed them was thus:
one, the largest, was secured between two long shafts, on whose
farther end was a hoop carrying tassels and bells; the two others
were simply fastened by ropes to the steps of the tarantass.
This was the complete harness, with mere strings for reins.

Neither Michael Strogoff nor the young Livonian girl had any baggage.
The rapidity with which one wished to make the journey, and the more than
modest resources of the other, prevented them from embarrassing themselves
with packages. It was a fortunate thing, under the circumstances,
for the tarantass could not have carried both baggage and travelers.
It was only made for two persons, without counting the iemschik,
who kept his equilibrium on his narrow seat in a marvelous manner.

The iemschik is changed at every relay. The man who drove
the tarantass during the first stage was, like his horses,
a Siberian, and no less shaggy than they; long hair, cut square
on the forehead, hat with a turned-up brim, red belt, coat with
crossed facings and buttons stamped with the imperial cipher.
The iemschik, on coming up with his team, threw an inquisitive