InafewmomentsMichael，dragginghishorsebythebridle，reachedalittlelarchwood，throughwhichtheroadlay。
Beyondthisitwasdestituteoftrees，andwoundamongbogsandpools，separatedbydwarfedbushes，whins，andheather。
Thegroundoneithersidewasquiteimpracticable，andthedetachmentmustnecessarilypassthroughthewood。
TheywerepursuingthehighroadtoIrkutsk。Plunginginaboutfortyfeet，hewasstoppedbyastreamrunningunderthebrushwood。
ButtheshadowwassodeepthatMichaelrannoriskofbeingseen，unlessthewoodshouldbecarefullysearched。