Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, September 15, 1897, Image 1
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l. m. GRIST & SONS, Publishers. ! % Limiti) lletrspaper: 4or promotion of the fOolitat, Social, gjrieutturat, anit Commercial Interests of the South. {TERMmso$le"oApv!F4i LiM.ANCE'
VOL. 43 YORKVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1897. NO. 74.
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EXILED T(
BY WILLIAM ML
Copyright, 18OT, by the Woolfall Publishing C<
Synopsis of Pkvioijs Installments.
In order that new readers of Thk Knquirkk
may begin with the following installment
of this story, and understand it
just the same as though they had read it
all from the-beginning, wo here give a
synopsis of that portion of it which has
already been published:
Phaptkk I.?Vladimir Saradotf, a Rus
sian being heir to the fortune of his nephew,
Maurice Hammond, an American, in
case of his nephew's death, conspires to
have him sent to Russia in order to get
him in his power. II.?Hammond and
his friend Philip Danvers arrive at St.
Petersburg, and Saradoff lays plans to
have t hem arrested as conspirators against
the government. Ill and IV.?Hammond
at a review saves the life of Colonel
Jaroslav. Proceeding to Moscow,
they are arrested and sent to Siberia. On
the way the l?oat on which they travel
catches fire, and they, with two other convicts,
escape in a skiff. V, VI and VII.?
Hammond and Danvers pursue their wav
with the two other prisoners, who attack
an approaching wagon. Hammond and
Danvers defend an officer in the wagon.
A troop of Cossacks appears and recaptures
all the prisoners. The officer tells
the Americans that they will probably be
shot, hub in view of their services to him
ho will do all he cat) for thein. VIII, IX
and X.?They are sentenced to be shot.
The sentence is commuted to imprisonment
at Kara, but a riot in which they
are involved results in their being put to
work in the mines of Kara. XI, XII,
XIII and XIV.?At the mines Captain
Damman attempts to kiss Lora Melikotf
and Hammond knocks him down. Daroman
orders him to be shot. Lora saves
him and Daroman discovers that she is
the daughter of Colonel Melikofi. Lora
furnishes Hammond with tools and a plan
of escape. XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII.Hamniond,
Danvers and Platotf escape
1 -1" ?O" rivop 1\?P1L
mm nuiK uini ?oj up u.v v. v
reaching a cave to which Lora lias directed
them. XIX.?They start on their
journey to the Pacific coast.
CHAPTER XX.
A GOOD SAMARITAN.
As a more effective safeguard Platoff
led the boys deeper into the forest, and
they plodded on for some miles before
stopping even to eat Refreshed by a
hearty meal, they then traveled until
nearly evening and camped in a sheltered
hollow
Of course a fire was necessary not
only for warmth, but to keep off prowling-wolves.
Tho night was divided into
watches, each taking his turn at
guard duty and feeding the fire.
For half a week more they journeyed
-on without incident, and then a spell
of wet weather set in, which continued
several days and made traveling impossible.
But it soon grew cold again, and
a crust formed on what little snow remained.
This good weather lasted for two
weeks, and the fugitives took advantage
of it to travel rapidly and steadily.
They subsisted mainly on the venison,
but the bill of fare was varied occasionally
by a rabbit or a pheasant which
Platoff succeeded in knocking over. At
times during their march the Amur
was in sight, and the telegraph poles
that follow the post road could be dimly
made out But for the most part they
kept well back in the ftiiJ3 aua nan ine
tare good fortuue to avoid meeting any
one, though signs of human beings were
frequently encountered.
The boys endured their sufferings and
hardships with a stoicism that excited
Platoff's admiration, and their health
remained good
As the first of April drew near they
began to hope for milder weather, but
as yet no change was visible. It remained
cold, with occasional snowstorms
of brief duration.
One evening, after a weary march of
20 miles or more, they discovered a deserted
cabin on the banks of a mountain
stream. The wall was fitted with bunks,
and in the closet was fonnd a hard loaf
of bread?a welcome discovery, for food
had been very scarce during tho past
week. Soaked in water, this mado a
palatable meal, and the last crumb was
devoured with a relish.
"We can keep warm without a fire
tonight," said Platoff. "I am afraid
we are near habitations."
"How far have wo come," usked
Manrice, "and how far do you suppose
it is to Vladivostok?"
"That is a difficult question to answer,"
replied Platoff. "We have been
traveling in such n zigzag course that
the journey has been necessarily lengthened.
I have tried to keep a mental record,
though, and 1 can give you a fair
idea of what we have done. We have
been on the road nearly seven weeks,
and I think we have averaged nearly
100 miles a week. Taking off 100,
which is a good allowance for our deviations,
we have marched 000 miles
down the Amur and are only 400 miles
from tho ocean. Bear in mind, though,
that our most daugcrous journey is
ahead, and that we may have to make
still greater circuits."
"Then we are at least half way?"
said Maurice.
11 r\iir -innvnnr i a nvnp '' rD.
plied Plutoff. "Heaven grant us equal
prosperity during the remainder."
The boys were agreeably surprised to
hear this. The whole distance covered
seemed to them very largo. They did
not think of the long marches patiently
endured through nearly every day of
these seven weeks.
"In the morning," resumed Plutoff,
"we will go down this stream toward
the river. Our rubles must now be turned
to somo account. Foot? we must
have. If we continue eating this bull
raw flesh, we will be ill."
That was a long to be remembered
night. The cabin was snugly sheltered
by the hills, and all enjoyed a restful,
unbroken sleep until morning, dispensing
entirely with guard duty. They
were off at daybreak, after a hasty
breakfast, and traveled rapidly down
the stream through a thickly wooded
) SIBERIA.
RRAY GRAYDON.
and rock strewu ravine. Tt was at least
four miles to the river, but a little moro
than au hour's march brought them iu
sight of its frozen surface. The hollow
was thickly wooded with piue and
spruce, uud under its welcome cover
the fugiu. s felt little fear.
"Ah, there is the post road, "said
Platoff, aud ho pointed through a break
in tho trees to a couple of tall telegraph
poles. They crept to its very edge, and
the boys looked with curiosity at the
smooth highway scarred with recent
sled tracks. A solid bridge of logs was
built across the stream, and not 20
yards off, down a slight incline, was
the Amur. Not a habitation was in
eight, only a burren stretch of ice and
snow and wooded hills. Below the road
faded into the dim distance, but up
stream n sharp curve cut off the view.
Platoff stood as though iu deep
thought, scanning tho wintry laudscape,
aud the boys hesitated to disturb
his reverie. Suddenly from round the
curve above was heard a sharp jingling
of bells, faint at first, but rapidly growing
louder. PJatoff excitedly pushed the
boys back into a dense spruce thicket
that bordered the road.
"Keep low and don't make a sound,"
he whispered.
From their retreat it was possible to
see the curve iu the road, and on this
all fixed their eyes expectantly. The
jingle of the bells came nearer and near
er, ringing out as though the horses
were running at full speed, and now
above their clatter was beard a voice
raised to its highest pitch.
"Something is wrong," whispered
Platoff, and as the words left his lips a
huge sled burst round the curve at full
speed. It was a clumsy vehicle, with a
! L a
y%st>
d few strokes browjlit Plato]) to the half
mivonsclous man.
leather hood over the rear end, drawn
by a troika, a team of three horses harnessed
abreast. The one inmate, a
bearded man, mulHed to his nose in
furs, was tugging fiercely at the lines
with an expression of terror on his face.
These details the boys noticed at one
Creeping glance.
"The horses are running away," exclaimed
Platoff, and that instant the
frightened brutes, unable to round the
bend at their terrific speed, plunged
down the slope, dragging the heavy
sledge behind thorn. The mouth of the
stream, with its fringe of treacherous
Ice, was just at hand, but they dashed
madly forward, and with a mighty
crash horses, sledge and driver went
through into the dark waters. Platolf
turned to his companions.
"Stay here," he said. "I must save
that man." And bounding across the
road he run down the slope to the river.
The truo nobility of this deed did not
occur ut once to the boys At any moment
other sledges or troops of soldiers
might pass along the road, and, us for
the man struggling in the water, he
was very likely a Russian official who
would put pursuers on their track and
drag them back to a living death at the
Thov rn:ilivi>d tllH dilllL?Or. of
course, and felt momentarily angry ut
Platoff for imperiling at one move their
dearly purchased freedom. Then more
generous mpulses came to the front,
and breakiug out of their hiding place
they ran down the bank, catching up
with Platoff at the very water's edge.
He looked at them with an approving
glance instead of the rebuke they
had expected.
"Be ready when I need you,"be
said, and plunging instantly into the
water ho swam toward the driver of tho
sledgo, who was clinging to tho fore
end, uttering feeble appeals for help.
The ico had broken for some yards
around, and the swift current was dragging
horses and sledge toward the lower
rim, which was firm and solid. A
few strokes brought Platoff to the half
unconscious man's side, and, tearing
him loose, he. took him by tho collar
aud swam back toward tin* shore. Tho
distance was slight, but both uicn woro
burdened with heavy clothes. I'latoff's
treuieudous strength prevailed, howev1
er, and he gained the bank in safety
with his burden.
"Hub his hands and face," he shout[
ed to the boy*. "Keep him moving."
And darting off again In- reached the
; lower edge of tho ice just as the current
' swept the horses to the spot. Grasping
tho nearest, one by the bridle, he turn[
ed his head toward shore, and by dint
1 of shouting and hard pulling urged tho
whole team forward until they could
touch bottom. The rest of the task was
easy, aud soon the sledge was standing
on firm ground none the worse appari
ontly for the accident.
1 Tho boys meanwhile were trotting the
rescued man up and down, ife was u
shivering so intensely from bis oold o
bath that all attempts to speak were v
vain. When he saw the sledge safely s
on shore, he tottered up to it and drew f
from one comer a big flask of vodka, u
He took a hearty gulp and considerate- c
ly passed it to Platoff, who was now ii
shivering in his tnm. 1
The fiery fluid put-warmth into their bodies
at once, and the stranger burst s
<? "rnfnan rWlnrntinn of thanks. I fi
"Never mind," said Platoff, "it was c
nothing. I conld not have done less, r
Build a fire quick, "he added to the
boys, "a big, large one, some distance r
up the ravine." v
It required but a few moments to ex- o
ecute this order, and the welcome blaze h
was soon sending out a grateful warmth.
The stranger brought from his sledge a s
dozen fur robes, and, discarding their a
wet garments, he and Platoff wrapped c
themselves snugly in these. The horses a
were standing quietly by the roadside,
looking very forlorn in their dripping d
condition. f
"The brutes were soared a mile back k
at a cowardly wolf that crossed the tJ
road," said the stranger. "Had you o
not come to the rescuo I should now be o
at the bottom of the Amur. I fully ap- tJ
preciate your kindness, much more than
you think possible." And he glanced si
keenly at the fugitives. p
"I told you it was uothing," answer- tJ
ed PlatofF coldly. "By chance we heard \
**" *? nowA fa fV?o vncnno Wa qi
J'UUI l/AICO UUU VHUIO (IV Vtiu ?? W Qj
are far hunters, and we live a few miles 1<
np this stream. " si
The stronger made no reply, but kept si
his keen gaze fixed on the party. He was vi
a fine looking man, heavily built and a
light bearded, while his manner of ti
speech proved him to be intelligent ri
Platoff endured this scrutiny with secret o
uneasiness, glancing from time to timo ii
toward the road and anxiously feeling p
his wet clothes, which were drying n
over the fire. p
"I beg your pardon," he said deliberately,
"but the horses must be driven b
hard if you would avoid any ill effects
of their cold plunge. The ice is form- d
iug on them already. I would advise s]
you to I080 no time in starting for the
next posting station." si
"What will you do?" asked the w
stranger quietly. ti
Platoff'8 face flushed, and in visible y
embarrassment he attempted to frame a n
reply. r<
Maurice, who was watching him e)
olosely, saw his eyes flash and antici- p
HtAnhln *'
puiuu UUUU4?1
"Hold ou," said the stranger. "Keep a
cool. I have something to say. My I
name is Nicolas Ponssin, and I am a g
merchant of Vladivostok. I have been p
to Irkutsk on business and am on my b
way home. Two friends accompanied b
me as far as Tolnar, a town 50 miles ss
behind. In their haste they left their p:
passports in my possession, and I hare yi
them now. Beyond Tolnar I met many c<
Cossacks, and I was informed that
three 'politicals' who escaped some w
time ago from Kura had been seen in le
the vicinity, and the soldiers were on tl
their track." He paused and looked
his hearers fall in the fac& I
Platoff, with a livid countenance, w
leaned over and drew Maurice's revolv- ai
er from his belt He cocked it and laid a!
it on his knee. "Now, what next?" he
said. "Go on with your 6tory." si
"Well," resumed Nicolas Poussin, ii
without the least show of fear, "one c<
good turn deserves another. My sledge ti
is roomy, and my horses are strong. If h
you have any desire to journey toward w
the Pacific. 1 will take you with me for T
some distance. The extra passports that g
I have will serve for two of you. The e:
third can be hidden in the bed of the f(
sledge. I prefer that you should give o]
me no information. I don't want to
know who you are, you understand?" n
"liod bless you," exciaimea riaton, w
embracing the worthy man's hand. *
"Forgive my suspicious. But you are B'
assuming a risk?a terrible risk." tl
"Never mind about that," replied h
Poussin. "All I usk is caution. Of b
course I dare not tuke you clear to ii
Vladivostok. That is understood. But
let us waste no more time. Our clothes b
are dry, and we can start." w
The boys could barely realize at first tJ
the full measure of their good fortune, b
A moment before the tidings that the o
Cossacks were on their truck had filled b
their hearts with despair. Now a merci- i)
ful haud was stretched out to save
them. Platoff's heroism hud brought a
its own reward.
It was impossible to doubt Nicolas n
Poussin's sincerity. His frank, open tl
face, his honest, gray eyes, were truth
itself. p
Quickly the dry clothes were donned, e,
tho fire was smothered with wet snow, b
and they climbed into the big sledge.
Under its front seat was an empty e
space just big enough for Phil, and he t<
was snugly tucked in place with rugs, a
"Wear these," said Nicolas Poussin,
handing Platoff a pair of green goggles
and Maurico a huge fur cap and tippet. t]
"Sit there." And ho motioned to the h
rear seat under tho leather hood. tl
"Remember," ho added, "yournames P
are now Louis Miroff and Serge Lyapin.
Don't forget." a
Ho climbed np in front and seized n
tho lines. Tlio horses dashed away on a
gallop, jingling their bells, and tho
sledgo scraped merrily over the frozen f
crust?toward tho Pacific.
t
CHAPTER XXI. t
A MIDNIGHT ALARM. h
They traveled 40 miles that day,
reaching at sunset a waysido post sta- p
tion, a ono story log building. Close by u
wero a couple of houses and a telegraph
office. Tho starosta, or station mastor, e
provided a warm supper and a bod in. a
ono corner of the room. Tho sledge fi
was hauled into tho yard, and under
half a dozen big furs Phil passed a fair- J
ly comfortable night. In tho morning a
Russian officer demanded tho passports. I
They were returned without comment, v
and ten minutes later tho sledge, drawn a
by a fresh troika, was speeding to the c
eastward. r
Thus for a whole week they rode on s
across Siberia, each hour drawing nearer
to safety. Nicolas Poussiu spoke but 1
little. Ho preserved a gravo and silent
demeanor and drove his horses with an a
msparii. g hand. Spring was not lar d
ff, and he was anxious to reach Vladi- b
ostok before the inild weather made si
leighing impossible. Smuggled up in b:
ors, Platoff and Maurice sat far buck g
nder the leather hood, while Phil, t(
ramped and uncomfortable, remained
a bis narrow place of concealment. t(
'hey passed many travelers on the road p
-Tartars,merchants, peasants and occa- ci
ionally Cossack soldiers or Russian of- a
cers?but no unpleasant incidents oc- b
urred. Nicolas Poussin'spassports car- f(
ied them through all dangerous places.
Sometimes they slept in the same a
oom at night with soldiers or dined si
nth them at the eume table. On such tl
ccasions Nicolus Poussin conversed for ii
imself and his companions. b
Pbil bad tbe hardest time of all, y<
leeping at nightin tbe station yards a:
nd eating sncb food as his companions d
onld smuggle out'to him, but be bore tJ
11 without complaint.
Day by day traveling became more b
ifficult, and it was well that Nicolas <s
'oussin was able to procure fresh troi- tl
as each morning, for when night came si
be horses were often completely worn "
ut from dragging tbe heavy sledgo b
ver bare places in tbe road and through L
be slushy snow. ' e<
On the seventh evening, just as the o
an was going down redly over the tl
ine crowned hills to the westward,
bey reached a small Siberian village, 8'
rastak by name,'and drove into the ii
pacious yard of the station. Sleepy ft
Doking peasants in gay costumes were
banding about in the street, and a few fi
sldiers were visible. The station house
?as larger thgu many of its kind, and n
t Nicolas Poussiu's request the staros- E
i gave the travelers a small private b
Dom, and presently brought in dishes F
f bread, meat and oheese and a steamag
samovar. In the middle of the re- n
ast a Russian officer entered, and with
lany apologies requested their pass- a:
orts.
He glanced them over briefly and "
owed his way out to
As the door closed Nicolas Po'ussin p
rew a small map from his pocket and o:
pread it out on the table. y
"I will show you where we are," he y
lid abruptly. "You remember that
'e left the Amup some days ago and f<
lrned up the bed pf tbe Ussuri. Here, ci
on see, is the Amur running to the b
ortheast, while the Dssuri flows di- b
jctly north. Consequently we are trav
i 1 ji iii *
Ling eoutn. we nave reacnea mjib k
oint," designating a spot on the map, n
and now Vladivostok is bat 200 miles p
way. 1 have brought yon farther than o:
hoped to do. Yon see it will be danerous
to continue the nse of these pass- si
orts, for the men whose names yon
ear are known to many of the officials p
etween here and the Pacific. For your n
ifety and mine we most part. I will tJ
rovide yon with sufficient food, and if
on are cautions you will roaoh the P
last in safety." d
"Yea, yon are right," said Platoff
'ith emotion. "Tomorrow we will v
save you. Better that we should take o:
le risks of recapture than"?
"Stop," said Poussiu. "You forget,
wish to hear nothing. I don't know
ho you are, understand, or where you
re going. You saved my life. That is
111 choose to remember." ^
A commotion was suddenly heard outde,
and he turned to the window. The .
iterest depicted on his face drew his ^
impanions to the spot Out in the sta- ^
on yard a Cossack surrounded by an ^
iquieitive crowd was nailing a big
bite placard to one of the gateposts,
he distance was too great to distin- ^
uish its contents. Maurice and Platoff
(changed significant glances, but be
)re they oould speak the starosta flung
pen the door and entered. 8
"A courier has arrived with procla- ^
mtions," he said breathlessly. "It B
sems that the escaped convicts who
rere seen near Tcluar have eluded purait
and cannot be found. Of course 8
aey have not reached this neighbor- ?
ood yet, but the government wishes to 1
0 on tho safe side, and so they are post- 1
ag notices from station to station."
"Ah," said Ponssin coolly, "we 1
ave heard something of that on our 8
ray. And sn they have slipped off from ^
be soldiers, have they? Woll, they will !
e caught sooner or later. Have you
ne of the placards with you? It would
e wise for us to read the descriptions
a case we run ucross the fellows."
The starosta rushed out of the room :
nd into the yard. 8
"Kcepcool," said Poussiu. "Therois
ot tho slightest causo for fear. I saw
hese placards a mouth ugo."
The follow was back in an instant,
aper in hand. "Here, you read it; my
7es are bad," said Poussiu, and be
anded it to Platoff.
Maurico, to conceal his emotion, turn- 8
d to the samovar and drew a cup of c
3a, but Platoff coolly took tho paper
nd read uloud in a firm, clear voice: 8
TWO THOUSAND RUBLES REWARD.
Tho above sum will bo paid for tho arrest of
Oreo convicts who escaped in February from
re mines at Kara; one tull and light haired,
is companions of medium height, and dark. At
le time of thoir escape two of them wore the
rison gnrb; the other was attired in a Cosick
uniform.
They uro journeying down the Amur valley,
nd all persons ure hereby warned to extend
o aid whatever under the severest penalties.
Geneiial, Memkoff,
Governor of tho Mines of Kura.
jttatner a meager description," said
'latoff, laying tho paper aside.
"Ah, but their clothes," exclaimed
hostarosta. "That is a sure idontificaiou.
It is impossible that they could
lave procured others."
"Wero the convicts still wearing the
rison clothes when seen near Toluar?"
sked Poussin suddenly.
"It was not the men who were seen,"
aid the starosta, "only traces of them,
trail in tho snow?and hot ashes of
,re."
Platoff darted a reassuring glance et
laurice.
" Well, my good man," broke in
'oussiu, "depend upon it the rascals
fill bo captured, and servo them right, J
nd now bo sure to have a fresh relay
f horses ready at early dawn. I must v
each Vladivostok before a warm spell g
ets in." g
The starosta promised obedience and c
oft the room. ei
"A good sleep will bo necessary,"
aid Poussin. "We shall havo a hard j
uy'a journey tomorrow." He spread
is rugs on the floor and stretched him- o
ilf flat. Platoff filled his pockets with
read and meat# and hurried away to si
ive Phil his supper. Ho was back in
m minutes. "
"The boy is all right," he whispered Oj
) Maurice, "and the sledge is in a safe li
lace. It won't bo disturbed." They *
jrried on a whispered conversation for d'
few moments^ with Poussiu snoring
eavily at their side, and finally both si
all asleep. ?
Maurice woke some hours later with ^
confused din ringing in bis ears. He b
?t up, listening intently, and presently n
re vague sounds resolved themselves &
a nlnfror rvf l-mnfa thft fron/1 nf 81
urrying feet and a babel of voices. A
ellow glare was shilling into the room, B(
nd, rnshing to tbe window, he saw a ?
ozen mounted Cossacks standing in ^
he station yard. o
Two or three peasants were holding ?
lazing torches, and a fast increasing P
rowd was pouring in at tbe gates. At h
lat instant Maurice felt a hand on his
aoulder, and, turning, he saw Platoff. t)
LostI" hissed tho Russian. "We are I
etrayed. The soldiers are seeking us. Bl
rook at that scoundrel I" And he point- "
i to the starosta, who was standing at C(
ne side conversing with the captain of a
ae Cossacks. v
"They shall not take me alive I I
wear it!" he added fiercely, and, spring- h
ig across the room, he tore his pistol ^
rom his coat. P
Maurice, pale and trembling, turned ?
:om the window.
"Quick!" exclaimed Platoff. "Follow 7
le. We may escape through the rear." h
[e moved toward the door as he spoke, ^
ut before be could reach it Nicolas 1<
'oussin came sleepily forward.
"Ha! How's this? What does all this "
oise mean?" he asked. h
Platoff dragged him to the window
nd pointed to tbe soldiers in tbe yard.
"They are seeking us," he said. a
Some wretch has put them on our
rack. It is not too late yet to escape, *
rovided a way is open in the rear. My 8
nly fears are for your safety. How can Cl
on explain? How can you extrioate d
ourself from your perilous position?"
"I do not believe the soldiers are here
)T that purpose," said Poussin in a v
aim voice, but the pallor of his face n
elied his words. "I advise you to wait ^
efore you attempt anything rash.,p
"They are coming," cried Platoff, as ?
sotsteps were heard in the next apart n
lent, and, rushing to the door, he prop- 8
ed bis huge frame against it, calling
u Maurice to assist.
"Be careful, bo careful 1" said Pons- ?
in nervously. "Don't go too far." 8
A sharp rat-tat-tat was heard on the ?
anels, and, as no one answered, the faliliar
voice of the starosta called on v
aem to open. i
With a sudden change of demeanor *
latoflf seized the handle and flung the
oor far back.
The torch gleam from the yard re- e
ealed the starosta and a burly captain r
f Cossacks standing on the threshold.
v
CHAPTER XXIL 3
A DARING DEED.
a
The starosta evidently failed to notice ^
ie consternation that his visit had pro- c
uced. j(
"Pardon, a thousand pardons, your1
onorl" he exclaimed volubly, address-- ^
ig Poussin, who had pushed his way
) the front "I am sorry that I must' j
isturbyou, but I really have no choice,
a your honor can readily see for your-' ^
?lf. This is a government position, you
now, and of course I must be very' j
ireful"? t
"What are you talking about?" inter- j
apted Poussin angrily, glanoing aslant v
it his companions, who had edged acrosi ^
he room. ' 'opeak and explain yourelf."
*
"Why, don't you kuow?" said the ^
itarosta in a surprised tone. "Didn't
?ou hoar the noise and see the Cossacks j
n the yard? His excellency the govern- ^
nnnf; insnentnr will be here in an hour f
>r two, and this room must bo made *
eady for him. He was not expected so
loon, but it seems that he fears the
varm weather will set in before be ?
eaches the Pacific. He has come clear
rom St Petersburg. This is the comnander
of the Cossack advance guard,
vho always precedes his excellency
omo miles." And the starosta indicated
he officer at his side, who at once mut- ^
ered ont an apology for disturbing ^
he travelers at their rest.
Back in the shadow of the wall Plaoff
and Muurice drew a sigh of relief
hat was audible in the doorway. Poustin,
too, was overcome by the sudden
ransition from despair to hope, but he
otained his solf possession admirably
ind replied with a well assumed touch
if indignation:
"It is shameful thut travelers should
luffor these inconveniences, but since it
s hi3 excellency tho inspector who
'
I
*latoff seized the handle mid fluna the o
door far back. f
eishes oar apartment we will gladly
;ivo it up. Convey to him our best re- t!
;ards ou his arrival. Aud now where ti
an we sleep for the remainder of the
light?" f
"I can put you on the floor of the y
ostroom," said the storosta. doubtful- h
r, "if your Iionor doesn't object to the
ther occupants."
"And who elso is there?" asked Pousn.
"Well," replied the starosta, countlg
on his fingers, "there aro fourpeas ts,
and two soldiers, and a Cossack
untenant, and three drunken buriats,
d a merchant from Tomsk, aud a
og"?
"That will do," interrupted Pousin.
"I don't want to hear any more. I
36 that the moon is shining. Traveling
'ill be good. Fetch me a relay of the
est horses you can get, and at once,
?ind you. We will start immediately
nd make up for loss of rest at the next
;atiou we reach."
"But, your honor," stammered the
:arosta, "I am afraid?horses?they
re scarce, and his excellency will
rant"? Here ho paused and glanced
ver his shoulder, but the Cossack, hav
ig lent his presence to the edict of exnlsion,
had made his way unnoticed
ato the courtyard.
Poussin readily interpreted these litle
maneuvers. "Get me the horses, and
will give you 10 rubles extra," he
lid. "I want provisions also. Put me
i sufficient for five days' travel. One
anuot procure food fit for a dog to eat
t the stations between here and Vladiostok."
"But food is even scarcer than
orses," said the starosta with a greedy
ivinkie in his eye. "All that can be
rocured will be consumed by his exallency
and party."
"Provide what I want, and I will pay
our price," replied Poussin. "Make
aste, now, and get our sledge ready.
Je will start at once, and bis excelmcy
can have this room."
"Voo rnnf hrtnnr." nnid fchfl fltaroata.
AVU, ?
I will do my best." And, bowing low,
e departed. Poussin oarefnlly closed
be door after bim and crossed the room.
"Yon heard all oar conversation?" he
Bked abruptly.
"Yes," said Platoff. "Thank heaven
?e are safe! It was a terrible fright,
nd I was sure that all was lost. Yonr
oolness preserved ns from a fatal bluner.
Yon are a wonderful maul"
"Yes, it is true that we are safe for
be present," answered Poussin, "but
rhat I have just heard has a hidden
leaning that I only could understand.
rou remember my telling you that I
aurneyed from Irkutsk to Toluar in
ompany with two men under whose
ames and with whose passports you
re now traveling?"
"Yes," said Platoff, "I recollect."
"Well," resumed Poussin, "those
len, Miroff and Lyapin, are both Rusian
officers, although they traveled inognito,
and the passports made no menion
of their rank. From Irkutsk they
rere sent ahead by his excellenoy the
spector, and when we arrived at Tollar
a telegram reached them containing
Detractions to await the arrival of the
spector at that station. They traveld
with me, you see, in order that their
ank might not be suspected. His excelency
was not due at Toluar for some
peeks, but it appears now that be has
ourneyed with unusual rapidity. He
rill be here in an boar or two. Miroff
nd Lyapiu are with him. Anexaminaion
of passports will lead to the disovery
of oor ruse, and disaster will folow."
Ponssin threw himself on a ohair and
riped the perspiration from his brow.
"A bad state of affairs indeed 1" said
'latoff. "What oan be done?"
"Little, I fear," replied Ponssin. "I
lave ordered the sledge at once, and we
aay gain some hours on his excellency,
t all depends, however, on a single
bing?the examination of the passports,
t is possible that no such inspection
riil be made, since the inspector and
us party are of such high rank. In that
vent all will go well, and by bard
raveling we can reach Vladivostok beore
the inspector, but if the passports
re requested by the officer who examued
ours last night, and he hears the
lames of those men, the coincidence
rill at once strike him, and discovery
rill follow."
"Either CosBackswill then be sent in
inrsuit or orders will be telegraphed to
be next station to arrest us on our arival."
"But the chances are in our favor,"
xclaimed Maurice eagerly. "At least
o it seems to me. If these men had
rocured other passports, and these passorts
had been examined at various
oints along the route?points atw'.ich
ur passports had also been examined?
rould not this discovery have been
lade long ago?"
"Yes," assented Ponssin.
"And in that event," resumed Mauice,
"would it not have been a simple
latter to telegraph orders for our arest?"
Again Poussin nodded assent.
"Very well," said Maurice triumhantly;
' 'it is plain that their passports
ave not heretofore been examined.
Vhy, then, would they bo at this parioular
point?"
"That is clever reasoning," said
'oussin. " Yon ure right. The chances
re greatly in our favor. Moreover, it
s barely possiblo that these men are
ot with his excellency at all. Ono canlot
tell what may have happened. Peraps
they wero sent back to Irkutsk or
rdered to remain at Toluar, but we
rill take no chances on that. To stay
ere an hour longer is dangerous."
At that instant a rap at the door was
leard, and a second later the starosta
ntercd.
"All is ready," he said, "the fresh
lorscs and the provisions. Ah, your
onor, you little know with what diffiulty
I procured them. If it came to his
xcelleucy's ears, I should lose my
ln/>a "
"Yon aro an extortionato rascal,"
aid Poussin coolly. "You can tell lies
ike a buriut. I won't quarrel over the
rice, though. I am in haste to leave,
lere is the money for the horses, inluding
the ten extra rubles. How much
or the provisions?"
"Eight ? eight rubles," stammered
he starosta. "Iassure you, your honor,
hey cost me 7 ?
"They didn't cost you two," said
'oussiu scornfully; "but, here, take
our money." And, dropping the coins
ato the outstretched hand, he led the
way oat, followed by Pratoff and Maurice,
bearing the rags.
It was 3 o'clock iu the morniBg. The
postyard, lit by the glaring torches of
the soldiery, was weird and unnatural.
A splendid troika ? three powerful
black horses?was attached to the
sledge, and the restless animals were
stamping impatiently. Platoff and
Maurice took the back seat and drew
the furs around them. A slight movement
of the rugs in front showed that
Phil irao ofill cnfo in hia rnfront Ha
doubtless was curious to know what
was going on.
Ponssiu deliberately made an inspection
of the food he had bought to see
that everything was there,' and, finally
climbing to his seat, he roughly ordered
the station attendants out of the road
and chirruped to the horses.
They trotted through the yard, and,
turning the anglo at tho gate, under
the very eyes of a dozen Cossacks, dashed
off down the frozen, deserted street
The low bouses, dim and gloomy, shot
past like streaks, and, skimming over a
slight ridge, the darkness was relieved
by a bar of light shining from the military
outpost?a small wooden structure
by the roadside.
"I forgot all about that," muttered
Poussiu as he pulled up bis horses in
obedience to the stern command to halt
Two or three soldiers were lounging
inside, and the officer who came forward
with a lantern was the same man
that examined their passports that
morning. He held up the light and
scrutinized their faces.
"Ah, yes," ho said, "I remember
you. You just camo last evening."
"Yes," replied Poussin. "Wo have
been turned out of our beds." And he
rejatea in gooa numurcu iujjch uuw mu
expected arrival of the government inspector
had deprived them of their room
and started them off a few hoars ahead
of their nsaal time.
'"Then yon are not connected with
his excellency's party?" asked the officer.
"Why, no," said Ponssin, thrown
off his guard by the qnestior.
"Bat your companions are," said the
officer, and, palling a document from
his pocket, he hastily enfolded it
"I find both yonr names here," he
said, looking at Platoff, "Louis Miroff
and Serge Lyapin. This is a list of the
inspector's party brought to me an hour
ago by the cuptain of his excellenoy's
advance guard in order that I might
copy it for my monthly report Seeing your
names upon it I eupposed you had
preceded the inspector. May I ask why
you are leaving again before his arrival?"
Platoff's courage rose to meet this
trying emergency. "We belong to his
excellency's party," he answered in a
firm voice, "my companion and L We
are traveling incognito for reasons that
must remain secret."
Then, seeing that the officer hesitated,
he added: "You saw the passports properly
made out in our names. Surely
that is sufficient"
Perhaps there was an ill suppressed
touch of eagerness in Platoflf's voioe.
The officer's suspicions were plainly
aroused.
Without replying he held bis lantern
to Platoff's face and then turned it on
Poussin, who sat white and miserable
on the front seat. That woebegone
countenance confirmed the offloer's
doubts.
"I must put you to the inoonve^ienoe
of a brief delay," he said. "No docbt
all will be explained, but I dare not assume
any risks. I will dispatch a man
at once to bring the captain of the Cossack
guard. He will know you, of
oourse."
The officer moved quietly forward
and caught the horses' lines, while three
soldiers with rifles in their hands came
out of the station and stood near the
sledge.
" Yes," said Platoff. "He will know
us. Oh, yes, the captain will know us."
His lips trembled, and he caught Maurice's
wrist in a convulsive grasp.
Poussin never turned his head. He
was trembling liko a loaf. Ten seconds
?twenty?half a minute.
No one moved or spoke.
Suddenly Platoff straightened up.
With one quick, marvelous leap he
sprang behind Poussin aud snatched
the lines and the whip from the nerveless
fingers. He shouted fiercely and
brought down the lush with stinging
tho cnirifpH horses. Thev
oc y cii ij uu iuu ? ??. w
reared in the air, tore madly from the
officer's detaining grasp, and before the
amazed soldiers could realize what had
taken place the sledge was dashing like
a meteor into the gloom.
"Down!" Platoff shouted to Maurice.
And, sweeping Poussin into the bottom
of the sledge with one arm, he tightened
his grip on the lines and dropped
low himself.
Crack I crack! crack! crack!?for two
or three minutes the rifles popped continuously
on tho frosty air, and the bullets
tore through tho leather hood aud
splintered the woodwork on all sides.
Then the last shot echoed and died
away, and the flashes of red firo vanished,
leaving the night darker than
before by contrast.
TOBK CONTINUED.
The Kant India Company.
Tho first and perhaps tho greatest chartered
conipauy that over existed was the
East Indiu company, created by a chartor
of Elizabeth in 1600, with a capital
of ?72,000. Deprived of its charter by
Cromwell in 1654, it obtained a regrant
of the same from Charles II, amalgamated
with tho new or English East India
company in 1708, and so remained
until tho Indian mutiny led to its suppression
as an independent and imperial
corporation.
He Was a Billiard Player.
The professor at tho blackboard in a
well known institution of learning was
astonished tho other day when he began:
"Now, gentlemen, we start with this
formula." Ho took up his pointer, to
find himself interrupted by a round of
applause and a burst of laughter.
In his absence of mind he had first
chalked tho end of the stick.?Pearson's
Weekly.