tion
you; but here in the town a stranger is noticed at once, for every
resident is known. You must make off at once. You can take my horse, we
will watch over your friend. Once in my tents you will be safe."

Godfrey thanked him warmly, but told him that he had not quite decided
as to what he should do, but would let him know later on. Then, as he
could do nothing for Alexis, he threw himself down on a pile of skins,
and thought the matter over in every light.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MINES OF KARA.

Godfrey found it a difficult matter to decide what was best to be done;
but after two hours' thinking his mind was quite made up. He did not
stand in the same position as Alexis with the Buriats. It was Alexis who
had laid them under such an obligation by saving their child's life. He
himself was simply liked as the doctor's companion, and without Alexis
the long months of winter would be dreary indeed. He thought that
imprisonment would be preferable to living alone in a Buriat hut.
Accordingly he rose at last, and told the Buriat that his course was
decided.

"I shall give myself up," he said. "I know that you would make me
welcome in your tents; but from what you have told me, I see that there
is no prospect whatever of an escape through China, and that if I go out
to the plains I shall be there for life, while if I go to a prison I may
in time be released, or at any rate I can again escape."

"Whenever you come to us you will be welcome," the Buriat said. "For
yourself, you know best; but we shall be all sorry to lose you. Is there
anything I can do for you? I know the governor here, for I have had
large dealings with him for sheep and cattle for the troops."

"I shall be very glad if you will go with me to him," Godfrey said. "A
word from you may be of great advantage to me. There are no prisons
here, and I am most anxious to be sent to Nertchinsk and not to Irkutsk,
because it was from there we escaped."

The Buriat's wife and sister were sorry when they heard Godfrey's
determination, but they were too much occupied with Alexis to try and
dispute it.

"When will you go?" the Buriat said.

"At once, if you will take me. I have no preparations to make; I only
cause extra trouble here, and can be of no assistance. But first, if you
will procure paper, pen, and ink, I will write a letter for you to give
to Alexis when he recovers, telling him why I leave him."

The Buriat sent out one of his men, who pre