Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ISSUED TWICE A. WEEK-WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY. l. m. grist & sons, Publishers. J % d'amilir getuspger: 4or the {promotion of flit jjlotiticat, ?ociat, jijriruttural, and Commerriat Interests of the South. . {cop*mEraJ2LAN^? VOL. 43. YORKVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1897. NO. 72. EXILED TO BY WILLIAM MU1 Copyright, t8!)7, by the Woolfnll Publishing Co. CHAPTER XVI. A DARING EXPLOIT. Maurice attempted to speak, but the words stuck iu his throat. He was positively stunned by the daiiiig of Platoff's plan. And yet what if it were possible to carry the ruse through? Its supremo audacity was really iu its favor. "Did you hear me?" hissed Platoff, grasping him roughly by the shoulders. "Nerve yourself, or all is lost! Our ouly salvation lies with you." These words roused Maurice from bis 6tupor. He aloue could retrieve the disaster that confronted them. "Yes," ho whispered, "I understand. I will do what you 6ay." With a firm hand he tore off his prison garb, the ugly gray shirt and trousers. Platoff had already stripped the Cossack of bis uniform, and with feverish haste he assisted Maurice to pull on the dark green 1 blouse and trousers, the high boots and the low cap. "Now," he whispered, "take the gun and go out in the corridor. Bolt the cell door uud pace slowly up and down. Keep your face away from the lamp- 1 light when the officer of tho guard comes past. He may say something to you. If he docs, answer as best you can 1 and in a gruff voice. Above all be cool and resolute. If the officer passes with- i out suspicion, draw the bolt of the door and give a slight rap with your hand. Now go. Every second is precious." He pushed him gently into the corri- 1 dor and closed the door softly. A sud- 1 den shudder of fear passed over Mauno hp rpiili'/pH hin eifniiHrm n?id then his presence of mind returned. He softly drew the bolt iuto its socket, and placing the riflo on his shoulder began to pace the corridor, which was prob- 1 ably 40 feet long by 10 in width. Six doors opened npon it, three on each side, 1 and at each extremity lay other corri- ' dors running at right angles. A rude lamp hanging from the ceil- 1 ing dimly lit up the 6cene, and at intervals from some of the neighboring cells could be heard a cough, or a frag- J ment of whispered conversation. With feelings that can be better im- 1 agined than described lie continued his solitary vigil. From his own cell came 1 no sounds at all, lut he had no doubt I that Platoff and Phil were hard at work, 1 Occasionally he heard the tramp of i the 6entrirs in the other corridors, ami i once from the main portion of the prison came a clink of glasses and a coarse laugh. I "They won't be incliucd for merry- ] making a few hours from now if all 1 goes well," thought Maurice with grim i satisfaction. Then his thoughts turned < to Lora, and in trying to imngiiie her 1 joy on learning of his escape ho forgot the ordeal in store for him. That un- i pleasant fact was brought to his mem- 1 ory with startling abruptness. In the f neighboring corridor a riflo butt was t dropped heavily to the floor, voices were 1 heard in conversation, and then a sec- ' oud or two later footsteps approached. * Fired with a sudden inspiration, 1 Maurice decided to look danger in the face. Pulling the visor of his cap over ' his eyes, he wheeled round and paced ( down the corridor with a slow, regular ' step. Years ago, before entering college, he had spent two years at a ruili- ' tary school, and the instructions there ' received he now put into use. Tbo most ' rigid martinet could have found no ! 1 fault with his bearing as he marched ! forward to meet the approaching peril. The lamp was behind him, so that * his face was in shadow, the effect he J had aimed to produre. The footsteps were now closo at hand, 1 and suddenly an officer turned tbo an- J The lieutenant took a long pull at the contents. glo, a young lieutenant with dangling sword and a pair of eyeglasses that i gave him a fierce expression. Maurice coolly suluted and dropped i his rifle to the floor. "Everything right, is it?" asked the 1 officer thickly, and Maurice noted with sorno uneasiness that he had been drinking. "All's well," he responded gruffiy, though his voice trembled in spite of bis effort to control it. Under his glasses tho lieutenant stared fixed y, and with a sinking heart Maurice returned tho gaze, believing that his identity was suspected. The next word reassured him. "Russo," said the officer, "have you got a drop of vodka about yon?" Maurice felt himself trembling like a leaf, and then, hardly conscious of what he was doing, he plunged his hand into the pocket of his coat. Something hard slid into his grasp, and he drew out a small flask. SIBERIA. liRAY GRAYDON. "Ah, you sly deij," exclaimed tho lieutenant, and seizing the flask he took a long pull at the contents and handed it back. Maurice mechanically restored it to his pocket, and when he looked up the lieutenant w as half way up the corridor. A moment later and he vanished arontia tne imgie. Overjoyed nt his marvelous good fortune and hardly able to believe it true, Maurice waited until the sentry in tbo next corridor had passed through his interview, and thru hurried to the cell door. He drew the bolt noiselessly and gave a slight rap on the panel. A moment later it opened from within, and Platoff's head uppeared at the crack. He shook with excitement when Maurice related what had happened. "We are suved," ho exclaimed, "my noble lad. You have effected our salvation. I shall never forget it. The officer of the guard will not make another round for an hour and a half or two hours. In that interval we should reach the cave unless some unforeseen complication occ irs. But come in and close the door. All is in readiness for the start" Maurice entered, to receive a warm welcome from Phil, while Platoff, after waiting a moment in the doorway to assure himself that the coast wa9 clear, joined his companions. "I was only waiting for your signal." be 6aid. ' 'I have just renewed the chloroform on thoso fellows, and on the Cossack too." And he pointed to the soldier's motionless figure stretched on the platform. "I put your garments on him, "he added. "When he wakes up, he'll know how it feels to wear convict clothes." "And shall I keep the uniform on?" demanded Maurico with surprise. "Yes," said Platoff. "It may be of Borne uid to you; who knows? And now we must be off. Look! This is what I have done while you were on guard duty in the corridor." Ho nnintod tn a hnlp in the floor close to the platform, from which two planks bad been ripped up. "Now," he continued, "I will go Brst, and you must follow at once." He glanced again through the cell to assure himself that 110 precaution had been overlooked, and then dropping to the floor he slipped through the holG and disappeared. Phil went after him, and Maurice brought up the rear. "Just a moment now," said Platoff.j And drawing his head and shoulders' back into the cell he lifted the two planks into position and let them drop' sehiud him into their places. "Not that; it matters much," ho observed, "for ;hey will soon discover how we escaped, jut it may give us more time." The situation in which the boys' low found themselves was anything but igreeable. The space between the jround and the flooring was not more ban three feet, and from the unpler.s?nt odor that saluted their nostrils it ippeared to have been used as a recep;acle for all sorts of refuse, no doubt Iropped. through holes in the floor. "This is the critical time," said Plaoff. "Don't make c.uy noise, but stick dose to me. The first thing is to gain he west flank of the prisc-u." Crawling on bauds and knees, the 3oys followed tbeir guide through the intense darkness. A faint glimmer of ight was presently seen, and a moment later Platoff halted. "Where are we?" asked Maurice. "Wait a little," was the reply, "un:il I can pick a crack through these ogs." He worked industriously wr'th his knife, making the dried mortar fly at jvery stroke, and then applied his eye to the orifice thus produced. "Ah," he muttered, "this is the front of the prison, it is snowing fast Dutside, and the guards are standing around the fires. Everything is in our favor if only we are permitted to hav time enough." "I supposed this space opened on the courtyard," said Maurice. "Instead of that it seems to ho hemmed in with logs." "Don't let that annoy you," replied Platoff. "The building is old, and we will have no trouble to break through. [ can loosen any one of the logs in five tpiuutes. It is an easy matter now to get our bearings." They started off again, guided by the wall of logs, and in a short time the angle was reached and turned. Platoff led on for a dozen yards or more before be came to a stop. "This is the place," he said. "Don't be impatient, but sit quietly down." He drew his knife and commenced work on the logs. As soon as a crack bad been excavated largo enough to see through he stopped. "This is the critical time," he observed, after taking a peep. "The stockade is only six feet distant, and at a certain interval, no doubt, a sentry passes through this narrow avenue. Nothing can safely be done until be has gone his round of inspection. We may be de layod half an hour, aud perhaps not five minutes." Platoff became silent, keeping Ms eyes glued to the crac k, and the boyp waited in an anxious state of suspense that was almost unendurable. They knew that in less than two hours at the very furthest their escape must be discovered, aud unless they wero clear of the prison at that time recapture was certain?and death by a rifle volley. Tho least noise overheard came to their ears with alarming distinctness, and with every passing footstep or clank of arms they imagined that all was discovered. A shurp "HistI" from Platotf turn ed their thoughts in another direction. "The sentry is coming," he whisper- 1 ed. "Don't utter a sound." 1 A faint tramp was audible from without, and then a shadow pussed slowly by the chink in the logs. For nearly five minutes Platoff neither moved nor i spoke. Then ho attacked the log beforo 1 him with tremendous energy, and the ! mortar flew in all directions, covering < the boys with a coating of powdered < lime. ( "It's a good thinR?this prison?was built by?convict labor, "he muttered at intervale as he plied his knife; "good for us?I mean." A moment later he tore the bayonet from the rifle which Maurice had brought with him, and after a few jabs with the farther reaching weapon announced that the log was loose. He pried the bayonet in one end while Maurice used the wedge at the other extremity. Then working in concert the log was gradually drawn in, until Platoff was able to grasp and lower it to the ground. The hole thus made was a foot and a half high by six feet Outside was revealed the thickly falling snow and the gray outlines of the palisade. "The coast is clear," said Platoff after a brief survey. "The glare from the fires is visible at each end of the passage, but I don't think there is much danger of being disturbed. I don't intend to run any risks, though; so you J two will remain inside till all is ready." He nimbly crept through the aperture, and with tho bayonet began to work at one of the big boards of the palisade. It wob evidently a harder task than he had anticipated. He inserted bis bayonet first on one side, then on the other, but the board was firmly in place. Then he put too muoh strength into i the effort, and his weapon snapped ' sharply in two. At this critical moment death and disaster stared the fugitives in the face. Their best weapon broken, of what avail would be the knife or the wedge? Platoff flung the fragments on tho ground and turned to the boys with a gesture of despair. "I fear we are lost," he said hoarsely. "The stockade is firmer than I supposed. It is impossible to loosen any of the planks without tools. And even now our time must bo nearly up." j "Ah, I have a plan," whispered Maurice. "The stockade cannot be more than 15 feet high. Tuke this log outside and stand it on end. I will mount the log, and you, Pi toff, shall olimb over my back to the top. You are strong enough to pull us both after you, are you not?" CHAPTER XVIL FREE. "Yes, yes," exclaimed Platoff. "Was I blind not to think of it before? Pass me; that log out as quickly as possible. But it is moro dangerous," he added. "From the top of the stockade we may be seen by the men on guard in the sentry boxes outside, but it is our last chance. We must not think of the risk." During this conversation Platoff was standing in the narrow avenue in plain view of any sentry who might chance that way, and just around the angles were 20 or 80 armed soldiers. Maurice and Phil lifted the heavy log and shoved one end at right angles through the opening. It stuck fast several times, but Platoff by main force dragged it clear, and lifting it in his arms placed it at a slight angle against the stockade. "Now come on," ho whispered, and assisting Maurice through the hole he lifted him to the top of the log. Bidding him cling firmly to the boards, he mounted behind him. A clever spring landed him on Maurice's shoulders, and a second later he was straddling the stockade. "Is the coast clear?" whispered Maurioe. Platoff made no reply. His face expressed sudden terror, but the darkness concealed this from his companions. The distance from Maurice's head to the top of the stockade was less than four feet. Bending down in silence, Platoff grasped the lad's outstretched hands and drew him quickly to the top. Phil instantly gained the vacant place on the log, and in less time than it takes to tell he, too, was safely on the summit of the stockade. "Not a sound for your lives!" whispered Platoff, and with a trembling hand he pointed through the driving snow to a dark object some 20 yards distant. "The sentry!" he whispered. "His back is turned. We must drop together and run. Don't lose sight of me." At this momeut, when the danger was most critical, a startling interruption came from the prison yard. Round the front angle strode a sentinel, rifle on 6houlder. He marched down the uvenue beneath the very noses of the fright- 1 ened fugitives, staring straight ahead ' under tho visor of his cap. Ho failed to see the log projecting from the stockade, and, catching his foot on the end, down he went with a crash full length on the ground. "Jump quick," whispered Platoff, and all three sprang from tho stockade together, landing heavily on tho snowy crust below. "Don't rise," said Platoff. "Follow i me cn hands and knees." Ho crawled i away into the darkness at a speed which the boys found difficult to equal. Glancing to their right, they saw tho sentinel still motionless at his nost. i Whether he was facing them or not it ' was impossible to toll. Foot by foot 1 they left tho stockade behind, and still ] the silence was unbroken. Then on the night air rose a single loud cry. It was answered by a shout, and then another and another boom thundered from the little cannon in the courtyard and the i echoes quivered through the valley. Platoff leaped to his feet. "Tho alarm i gun!" ho exclaimed. "Tho whole settlement knows wo aro freo. Run us you never ran lieforo and keep mo always insight." i With great strides ho plunged forward over the snow. Close at his heels i came Maurice and Phil, amazed at their own speed. Tho sentry, catching a fleeting glimjjse of tho fugitives, raised.his : rifle and fired. The bullet whistled overhead. Ho fired again and again, Bhooting aimlessly into the night. Six times the rifle cracked, and the red flash blazed briefly athwart the darkness. Then came silence, an ominous, fateful calm, and the daring fugitives fleeing across the valley beurd nothing but the rapid tramp of their own footsteps. In single file they sped over the deepening snow, facing the 1 * ? ' J 1 .L: ; _ l_ i _ DtlCtlDg Diast ana uiuaiuiug quiuKiy through clinched teeth. ( Platoff ran at the head, every muscle i strained, his ears alert to catch the faintest sound. From time to time he f uttered cheering words to his compan- ' ions. ( Before them and on both sides was darkness, but looking over their shoul- t ders they Baw the twinkliDg lights of ( the prison still perilously close at band, f Twice Maurice stumbled, exhausted 1 by the fearful strain, but Platoff drag- i ged him to his feet with new encourage- i ineut. t Then Phil gave out almost entirely, ( and his companions had to help him ( along between them. t "You must keep up,"said Platofif t impatiently. "See, we are on the down- j tvard slope now. The river is not far e sff. Once there we are comparatively j safe." e "Listen. What is that?" cried Man- ? rice, and as he spoke a dull noise was 1 W"*\s c 411 three sprang from the stockade together. 8 heard in the distance that seemed to * jrow more distinct each second. Platoff ;hrew himself upon his knees and put c ais ear to the ground. "As I thought," * ae exclaimed, "the mounted Cossacks t ire coming. They will spread in all di- 1 -ections and carry on the search in ^ iquads of three and four. Now is the lime to show your speed. Here, give J ne a hand, each of you." He dashed off again, fairly dragging 1 ais companions with him. Faster and 1 'aster they ran, louder and louder grew !he trampling of hoofs in their rear, c ind then with a sudden effort they 8 :hecked themselves on the bank of the Sara. 1 "Here we arc!" exclaimed Platoff 8 'orvently. "There is one important ihing in our favor. The direction in N vhich we must go is the very last one ;hat will be suspected. But it will be a J lerrible ordeal and full of suffering. Dan you endure it, do you think?" "What do yen mean?" asked Mau- J rice, not quite catching his meaning. "The water," was the reply, "the y Icy channel of the river. We must wade for several miles. It is our Inst and on- I ly hope." Little wonder that the boys recoiled * it this prospect. They were suffering j Intensely now from the bitter cold. Platoff gave them no time for deliberation. He plunged sturdily off the bank into the running water, and they followed without hesitation. The Kara is a river mly in name. The channel is shallow g rod not more than 80 yards broad at c the widest part. The water flows swift- e ly over a gravel bed and among big g stones that rise in profusion above the \ surface. Being fed entirely by moon- E tain springs, it never freezes in winter, though a fringe of ice forms on the l sdges and floating cakes are boruo down t with the current The fugitives waded g Into midstream through water waist r deep. e "We must throw these bloodhounds c off the track," said Platoff, "and I i think I know how to do it." b He led the way across to the other 1 shore and climbed out on the bank. "Now come with mo," he said to t Maurice. "No, you stay here, right on fc this rock," he added to Phil, who start- c ad to follow. "Two of us will be u 3nough." 1 He dashed off at right angles to the f stream and halted 80 or 40 yards from g the bank. Then, still facing forward, ho began to take great strides backward J toward the river, bidding Maurice to do t the same. f "It will uppear as though there were e four of us," ho remarked, "but no one will notice that." I "But what will they do when they jomo to the end of our tracks?" asked i Maurice. a "They won't wait that long," laugh- fc 3d Platoff. "If they discover that wo e bavo crossed tho river at this point, mill /inoh nff lit- full Hnfipd without o IXJUJ uiii Ul?>lil v?* ?w ?? v attempting to stick to our footprints." ? They soon reached the water again, j much to Phil's relief, who could not imagine what they worn trying to do. t The mounted pursuers were ulorm- 1 ingly close to the river by this time, a Without a second's delay Platoff start- g ed up tho channel, followed closely by e the boys. Their sufferings wero almost d forgotten in tho fear of recapture. They 1 pressed forward over the slippery stones, a waist deep at times, but mostly barely kueo deep. fc It was snowing so fast and thickly j that only tho merest outlines of tho ? shores could bo seen. c As Platoff had predicted, tho tramp 1 of tho horses now seemed to come from p various directions, as though tho troop- t crs were spreading over tho plain. a A stray light was visible here and e there, und occasionally tho cannon boomed above the noiso of tho water, c spreading farther and farther tho news a of the escape. c Beforo tho first of tho horsemen t rooched tho river tho fugitives were \ ?onie distance up stream, and it was impossible to tell whether their tracks >vero discovered or not. At times the founds of tl ? pursuit seemed to die out n the distance, ouly to return closer .t i?t?^ .. A*? u* till Ut'lUI'U LiUJ'Ullll U UUUUb bIJU \JUO* sacks were ou both sides of the stream, nid the general location of the fugitives iccmed to bo suspected, for tho horsonen could bo heard galloping to and !ro within a limited space. The darkness of tho night and tho Iriviug snowstorm placed the odds igainst the pursuers. "They will never think of looking tor us in tho water," remarked Platoff. 'Wo are tafe here if wo can only hold )Ut." That was a formidable "if," howev:r, and the sufferings which tho boys mdured that night they will never for{et. Toiling painfully from rock to ock, they crept up stream through an cy current. At first tho pain was agolizing, but presently their limbs were jenumbed and weak, and they found it lifficult to move. Sometimes they crept >ut on big rocks and stamped up and lown or rubbed their legs with their tcbing hands until they were able to iroceed again. Several times mounted loldiers passed close by along the shore, ind the fugitives bent low among the itones until the danger was over. Not i murmur escuped Platoff's lips. He went resolutely forward, seeking >ut the easiest channel and showing the >oys the way. The force of bis example telped them to endure their sufferings vith comparative fortitude. For two tours they marched up the bed of the iver, stopping for short intervals of est. The immediate danger seemed to te past. Occasional sounds of pursuit till floated up the valley, but no horsenen had approached for a long time, md the lights of the prison had long ince vanished. It was a joyful moment when Platoff innounced the mines were close at land, and his prediction was verified en minutes later when the sharp ridge if the hill appeared before them. They cram bled out of the water and started n single file up the slope past the very pot where Lora Melikoff had been hidlen during the eventful iuterviow. The inow was knee deep, but had ceased ailing. On the top of the ridge Platoff talted and pointed to tbo distant lights if tho settlement three miles nway. "I tave entered that prison for the last ime," he said impressively, "and doqe uy last day's work in yonder mines. I vill never be taken back alive." Ho was silent for a moment, and then n a more cheerful tone he resumed: 'But it is time to seek the cave. Wo nust Journey two miles along this idge." "Won't our tracks in the snow be liscovercd?" asked Maurico as they tarted briskly off. Tf milt cnnn annvo nanin " flTiSWftrpd 'latoff, "and fill up our tracks beyond ill discovery. Between now and then t is not likely that any of our pursuers vill visit the mines." The truth of this statement was readly apparent, and the boys followed heir leader with lighter hearts than bey had known for mauy months, valkiug rapidly to restore the circnlaiou to their benumbed limbs. The way vas rough and stony, but Platoff pressd 011 without stopping, and finally lansed by the side of a huge rock. "Yonderare thopino trees," he said, lointing ahead. "It must bo the place, or I have noted the spot while marchng to the mines, and they are the only rees on this ridge." CHAPTER XVIII. OFF AT LAST. Tho party pressed eagerly forward ,nd were soon standing in the shadow if the pines. The trees were indeed sevn in number, ull of mammoth size and ;rowiug close together on the very orge of the cliif. Huge rocks were icattercd about in all directions. "Now for the cave," said Platoff, as le began to go over tho ground inclosed ly the seven trees, inspecting every tono and peering into each cranny. The boys joined in the search, but in ipite of their efforts the location of the avo remained undiscovered. With tervous haste tbey went over tho ;rouud again and again, afraid to con'ess their own fears. Finally Maurice crept to tbo verge of he cliff and looked down. The rock lad a sheer descent for a distauco of 40 >r 50 feet. At its base the hill sloped aoro gradually toward tho valley. Four 'ect below the edge was a narrow platorm on which grew a few scrubby pine iboots. Impelled by a singular impulse, daurico cautiously lowered himself to his edge, and stooping low was conronted by a hole of impenetrable black less. "The cave, the cave!" he cried, and 'latoff and Phil were quickly at his side. Together they crawlod into the openng, which led downward at a sharp uglo. The pussago becamo wider and ligher, and in a short time they reachd a level space. "I have found something," exclaimd Plutoff, who was ahead. "Clothes, ircarms?yes, and matches," ho added oyously; "a tin box of matches." The hoys heard something rattle, and hen their eyes were blinded by a bright ight. They were able to see clearly in i moment, and the sight that met their ;azo was a strange one. They wero funding in a circular cavern 20 feet in liameter and 6 feet or more in height. ?hc floor and walls were dry, and the tmosphcro was warm and pleasant. "Hero are the things which that iravo girl has provided," said Platoff, jointing to a heap on the floor. "She ins overlooked nothine. There ure even audits." And taking ono from a box ho it it with the burning match and iluced it in a crovico on the floor. With rcmbling hands they turned over the irticlcs, uttering cries of delight at evry now discovery. There were three complete outfits of slothes, coarso, heavy garments such as ,re worn by tho Russian peasants, inluding trousers, flannel shirts and hick warm coats. In a canvas bag vere two silver mounted revolvers, with accompanying Loxos of shells, and I % sharp knifo in a sheath, while anoth- i er and larger bag contained a supply of provisions, bread, tea and dried meat, enongh for two weeks at least, Platoff declared. In addition there were a dozen candles, while it remained for Maurice to make tbo most important find of all, in I Platoff's estimation?a leathern belt, i which proved to contain 100 rnbles in i silver. ' "With that money," asserted the ' Russian, "we can purchase food along 1 the way, and we shall be regarded i with less suspicion. Everything is now i in our favor. I believe that we can reach Vladivostok in safety. Heaven bless i that noble girl!" Platoff broke off abruptly, and covering bis face with his < hands sank to the floor overcome with ' emotion. 1 The boys, too, lost all control of their feelings. Phil sobbed aloud, and Mau- 1 rice, with an overflowing heart, knelt on the rocks and uttered a grateful J prayer. At last Platoff rose to his feet and i dashed the moisture from his eyes. f "We bad better change our clothes," ' he said, "or we shall be ill from that J long journey in the water." This sug- ' gestion was welcomed, and the boys flung off their wet garments with all ' haste. Their new attire proved to be 1 an excellent fit, so much so, indeed, J that Platoff's curiosity was aroused. i "If that girl knew nothing of your i companions," be observed shrewdly, J "how did she choose such suitable gar- i ments?" < "She. probably had seen both Phil i and me," replied Maurice with a < smile, "and know' .? that my third 1 companion was to bb a Russian Bbe nat- I orally procured a larger set of clothea < Ton Russians are a big race, you sea" I "Yes, yes, that'B it," remarked Pla- < toff, well satisfied with the explana- i tion. i How the brave maiden had succeed- < ed in getting the things and conveying ] them to the cavern %vas a problem none conld clearly understand. It had undoubtedly been accomplished with considerable risk to herself, with help from other arms. From that moment Maurice felt that in spite of bis unjust treatment he would always have a soft spot in his heart for a nation that could produce such specimens of young womanhood. Sleep was impossible under the oixoumstances, and all remained awake until a faint gray streak shining into the cavern announced the approach of dawn. Platoff crept to the entrance to make a reconnoissance. "All is well," he declared on bis return. "Our hiding place is perfectly safe. The pine scrubs on the ledge hide it completely. It is snowing hard, and our footprints have been destroyed Jong ago. And besides," he added, "they would never scorch for us here. It is even probable that when they fail to discover us they will believe we have perished under the snow and will abandon the pursuit. We will remain here for a week ai least, probably two weeks. Then it will bo safe to start." "What kind of country must we travel through?" asked Maurice. "Is it wild?" "Yes," said Platoff, "the valley oi the Amur is wild and desolate. The post road follows the river, of course, with stations at long intervals, but we must avoid that. There are wolves and deer in the hills and fish in the river, while in the vicinity of Vladivostok fierce tigers are said to abound. But with our arms we need have little cause or*A?lro tnnvo fn 11 tt onn. 1U1 icai. jl laouu a^UAO 4-uv/ao iu?y WMoerning the valley of the Amor, answering the boys' questions with a readiness that proved him to be acquainted with the general nature of the country. At last, after a hearty meal, they went to sleep with a feeling of absolute security. When they awoke, it was apparently late in the afternoon. It was still snowing, and so thickly that from the mouth of the cavern it was impossible to see any distance into the valley. For several days this storm continued, and the fugitives felt thankful in "They are mounted Cossacks rcturnino . f rom, the search." deed for their secure refuge. The time j passed monotonously, it is true, but thoy had plenty to eat and were comfortably warm. Melted snow supplied them with water. On tho fourth day the weather changed, becoming clear and cold. From the ledge it was possible to see c across tho valley to the settlement. The f prison and many of the houses were in * plain view, but at such a distance all c seemed peaceful and serene. Lato that afternoon, before the sun [ went down, Platoff pointed to two 1 dark spots approaching the prison from I different directions. * "They are mounted Cossacks return- 1 ing from tho search," ho said confident- ^ ly. "It will soon bo safe for us to ' leave." "But will they give up the pursuit * entirely?" inquired Phil. r "Yes, so far as concerns the soldiers y in garrison at the mines," answored 3 Playoff. "Of course our escape, with full descriptions, has been tolegraphed I all over Siberia, and at every village 1 and posting station thoy will bo on tbo 11 lookout for us, but wo will keep aw^y 1 c * from all such dangerous places; trust mo for that." The change in Platoff during the last few days bad been marvelous. He actually seemed to have grown taller, and the weary, hopeless expression had departed from his face, leaving it bright and sparkling with animation. His tacitnrn, moody disposition was gone, and he beguiled the weary hours spent in the cavern with tales and incidents that were absorbingly interesting to the boys. Thus the time went swiftly by, and they woke on the sixth morning to find the air mild and damp and a drizzling rain coming dow. steadily. "This puts an end to all pursuit that may still be going on," said Platoff. "It is impossible for horsemen to traval through the slushy snow. Today we will spend in packing up and preparing for the start." "But how can we travel better than horses in such weather?" asked Maurice. "Wait till tomorrow," said Platoff knowingly. "There may be a change." The Russian's prediction was still nfnlfilled when evening came, bat some time during the night Maurice. woke and sat up shivering. Outside he heard the wind roaring, and a cold air was drifting down the cavern's mouth. Wrapping some of the abandoned clothes about him, he fell asleep aguin. Then he began to droain. He was riding on horseback over a snowy plain that stretched far in the distance. By his side, mounted on a black horse, was Loru Melikoff, her dark hair streaming in the wind, her cheeks aglow with exjitement. A steady tramp, tramp was ringing in his ears?the din of the pursuing Cossacks?and ever and anon rides cracked sharply and the whistling bullets hissed overhead. But suddenly She plain vanished, and a great black gulf was before them. Faster and faster sped the horses, still closer came the jwful chasm, and now they were treading on the brink. Crash, crash! They toppled over the edge. Then came a ringing voice in his ear and a hand on bis shoulder: "Come, get up. The morning has ;ome and the rain is over." Maurice sat erect, rubbing his eyes with his fists. "Lora?where is Lora?" be asked. "Ah, you have been dreaming," said Platoff, with a merry laugh. "Come out to the ledge. Did I not prediot a change in the weather? Well, it is already here, and tonight we may bid farewell to our cavern." He led the boys to the opening, and the first touch of the cold, piercing air made them shiver. A cry of astonishment burst from their lips. The sky was intensely blue and clear, and in the sunlight, as far as the eye could reach, hillside, valley and plain sparkled like myriads of diamonds. "The cold is intense," remarked Platoff, "but it has done us good servioe. An icy crust has formed on the snow overnight that will bear us. At the same time it is not strong enough for horsemen. Our apportunity for escape aould not be better. At sundown we will be off?off for Vladivostok and freedom." The brave Russian's voice shook with emotion, and a tear triokled slowly down his cheek. Brief as that day really was, it seemed an eternity to the Impatient fugitives. The provisions? of wbioh a considerable supply remained?were divided into paokagea, one for Bach man. Platoff took one of the revolvers and the belt of rubles, giving the other revolver to Maarioe and the knife to PhiL The Cossack nniform and the prison olotbes, which might have done good service in case of cold or wet, they were compelled to leave in the cavern. To take them along would have imperiled their safety and afforded a snre means of identification. All day long Platoff lay at the cavern's month watching the valley. Not a oreatnre came that way, and when the setting sun was succeeded by a misty twilight be gave the word to start. Slowly and deliberately they olimbed from the ledge to the top of the hill, and standing in the shadow of the seven pine trees glanced back at the darkening valley with its dread associationa "Forward!" cried Platoff, and turning to the southeast they crossed the ridge and went with cautious steps down the slope beyond. Alternately sliding and crawling they gained the valley and traveled for an hour or more over the frozen crust. Then a hill loomed darkly before them, and an hour later they reached its crest, weary and footsore. "There!" exclaimed Platoff with a wave of the hand. "Behold the valley ef the Amur!" And glancing down the long frozen slopes the boys saw vaguely and dimly the great water highway that flows to the far Pacific, now chafing and fretting under its icy fetters. For some minutes they stood thus strangely fascinated by the splendor of uicrht. Then the impressive silence was disturbed by a sharp cry from Platoff?a :ry that echoed swiftly down the valley from peak to peak, as thongh giants were signaling each other. TO BE CONTINUED, low to Get Alone Without a Corkscrew. There is a trick of taking off tho heads >f bottles that is worth knowing. Grasp lie beer bottle in tho left hand and a tnife in the right hand. Lay the bottle >n your knee and draw a knife vigor>usly across the neck of the bottlo just jack of the rim just as if you were gong to saw the head off. If you bear on iretty hard and turn the bottlo around jradually until every part of tho nock 1 las been under the knife's edge, you J vill scratch the enamel of the glass. iVhen this is accomplished, lay the knife dado flatwise on tho bottle and with he back of tho blade 6trike the bottlo im two or three sharp blows as if you vould knock tho head off. Presently rou will hear it break. Tho cork in an ale bottlo extends beow the break and holds tho head on. 'ut a napkin over tho head and draw ho cork. Head and all will come off as lean us a whistle