Under these energetic measures the square of Nijni-Novgorod would, it was evident, be entirely evacuated before the evening, and to the tumult of the great fair would succeed the silence of the desert. Agents and soldiers with whip or stick stimulated the tardy ones, and made nothing of pulling down the tents even before the poor Bohemians had left them. The awnings in front of the stalls were folded up the theaters were taken to pieces the fires were put out the acrobats’ ropes were lowered the old broken-winded horses of the traveling vans came back from their sheds. Immediately, what might be called the exodus from the immense plain began. For them it was simply misery.Īt first there rose against this unusual measure a murmur of protestation, a cry of despair, but this was quickly suppressed by the presence of the Cossacks and agents of police. As to the mountebanks, of which there were a considerable number, they had nearly a thousand versts to go before they could reach the nearest frontier.

It only concerned foreigners of Asiatic origin, but these could do nothing but pack up their merchandise and go back the way they came. As to the second article of the proclamation, the order of expulsion which it contained admitted of no evasion either. All private interests must yield to the public weal. The tenor of the first article of the order was express it admitted of no exception. The natives whom business called beyond the Siberian frontier could not leave the province for a time at least. It is easy to understand the effect produced by these two thunder-claps bursting over a town like Nijni-Novgorod, so densely crowded with visitors, and with a commerce so greatly surpassing that of all other places in Russia. Undoubtedly affairs required their expulsion.

Michael strogoff by jules verne