This will make the journey a very much more pleasant one
than I had expected."
"I am glad you are pleased," the governor said, "and that you have
no unpleasant recollection of your stay here."
A minute later, the carriage dashed out through the gate of the
prison. An officer was seated by Charlie's side, two Cossacks
galloping in front, while two others rode behind.
"It was worth making the change, if only for this drive," Charlie
thought cheerfully, as the dust flew up in a cloud before the
horses' hoofs, and he felt a sense of exhilaration from the keen
air that blew in his face.
The journey was performed with great rapidity. One of the Cossacks
galloped ahead, as soon as they arrived at the station where they
changed horses, and had fresh ones in readiness at the next post
house. The Cossacks themselves were changed at every other station,
fresh relays from the men stationed there taking their place.
Excellent meals were served three times a day, and each night a
comfortable bed was provided, at the last post house where they
stopped.
The officer was a pleasant fellow, but he spoke nothing except
Russian, and, although Charlie fancied he understood him to some
extent when he spoke to him in Polish, he shook his head and gave
no answers in that language.
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