Was this a time to seek refuge there?
Would he not run a risk of being taken prisoner?
Should he succeed in escaping from Kolyvan, as he had escaped from Omsk?
He hesitated and stopped a moment.

Would it not be better to try, even on foot, to reach some small town, and there procure a horse at any price?
This was the only thing to be done; and Michael, leaving the Obi, went forward to the right of Kolyvan.
The firing had now increased in violence.

Flames soon sprang up on the left of the town.

Fire was devouring one entire quarter of Kolyvan.
Michael was running across the steppe endeavoring to gain the covert of some trees when a detachment of Tartar cavalry appeared on the right.

He dared not continue in that direction.