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DAILY EXAMINER, CHARLOTTETOWN, DECEMBEK 3, 1897

Oe Fal Le ae +. mR, . os Ce eee {By Wea MURRAY GRAYDON.’ ee <>. nea Gas ips a » a owt gl aati — COPYRIGHT, 189% BY THE WOOL FALL PUBLISHING CO.» (Cc1 tinued.)

Mi<Ni—e1ent roubles. stammered ot. Ee OA UNS SeeaRY. Tim, Be the starosta “TI assure you. your ; @eubt, saved their lives, for altheugh He: r, they cost me 7,1-9.." , the bullets whistled by on all sides no

They lidn’ — ' =F one was ruck P ussin, sco aint : “but, Here Baca W he n the firing ceas d, Platoft rose

a vaer *4 . + take | to his fi et and looked back The lights ycur money And, dfopping the | -? ‘nt | saiaelll

of the military post had vanished be- ecins into the outstretched hand, he hind a slight crest. In the Village he- led 1 wavy out, followed by Platoff | yond, which was on somewhat higher and Maurice bearing the rues. ground, a few scatié¢ l lights could be it was two o'clock in the morning. seen. The postyard, lit by the glaring torches | ' Are they coming ?” asked Poussin, of the soldiery, was weird and un- | as he rose and climbed on the seat. patural A splendid troika—three |} “No,” said Platoff; “I can’t hear powerful black horses—was attached any sounds of pursuit. They have no to the sledge, and the restless animals horses, you know.” were stamping impatientiy. Platoft | “ All seems quiet behind us,” saia and Maurice took the back seat and ‘ Maurice, who was leaning over the drew the furs around them. A slight back seat. movement of the rugs in front showed “What's the matter ? Who was that Phil was still safe in his re- | Shooting?” demanded a smothered treat. He doubtless was curious to | voice, and Phil poked his head and know what was going on. shoulders from under the rugs. Poussin deliberately made an inspec- Platoft briefly explained what had

tien of the food he had bought to see that everything was there, and,

firally climbing to his seat, he rough-

ly ordered the station attendants out of the road, and chirruned to the hcrses.

They trotted throuzh the yard, and, turning the angle at the gate, under the very eves of a dozen Cossacks, dashed off down the frozen, deserted street. The low houses, dim and gioomy, shot past like streaks, and, skimming over a slight ridge, the darkness was relisved bv a bar of light shining from the military out- pest—-a small wooden structure by the readsid-.

“I forgot all about thet,” muttered Poussin, as he pulled up his horses in obedience to the stern command to halt.

Two or three soldiers were lounging inside, anc the officer who came for- vard with a lantern was the same man that examined their passports that morning. He held up the light and scrutinized their faces.

“Ah, ves,"" he said, “I remember you. You fust came last evening.”

“ Yes,” replied Poussin. “We have teen turned out of our beds.” An@ he related in good humoured tones how the expected arrival of the Gov- errment inspector had deprived them of their room, and started them off a few hours ahead of their usual time.

“Then you are not connected with his Excellency’s party ?” asked the officer.

“ Why, no,” said Poussin, thrown of bis guard by the question.

“But your companions are,” said

the officer, and, pulling a document from his pocket, he hastily unfolded it.

“I find beth your names here,” he faid, looking at Platoff, ‘“‘ Louis Mirofft and Serge Lyapin. This is a lst of the inspector's party brought to me an hour ago by the captain of his Ex- cellency’s advance guard in order that I might copy it for my monthly re- port. Seeing your names upon it, I supposed you had preceded the inspec- tor. Mav I ask why you are leaving @2£ain 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 I. We are travelling incognito for reasons that must remain secret.”

Then, seeing that the officer hesitat- ed, he added :—* You' saw the pass- ports properly made out in our names. Surely that is sufficient.”

Perhaps there was an ill-suppreseed touch of eagerness in Platoff’s voice. The ofticer’s suspicions were plainly aroused.

Without replying he held his 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 officer's doubts,

“I must put you to the inconvenience of a brief delay.” he sald, “No doubt all will be explained, but I dare not as- Sume any risks. I will despatch a man at once to bring the cantain of the Cossack guard. He will know you, of course.”

The officer moved quietly “nd 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 like a leaf. Ten seconds ~twenty—half a minute.

No one moved or spoke,

Suddenly Platof? Straighteyed ap. With one quick. marvellous leap he Fprang behind Poussin and snatched the lines and the whip from the nerve- less: fingers. He shouted flercely. ana brought down the lash with stinging Severity on the spirited horses. They reared in the alr, tore madly from the officer's detaining crasp, and before the amazed soldiers could realize what had taken place the sledge was dashing like a meteor inte thetgloom.

“Down!” Platoff shouted Tice. And, sweeping Poussin into the bottom of the sledge with one arm, he tightened his grip on the lines, ana dropped low himself

Crack ! crack ! crack * two or three minutes the Continuously on the bullets tore threugh “nd splintered the woodwork on all

des. Then the last shot echoed and died Way, and the flashes of red fire yénished, leaving the night darker than

fore by contrast.

forward

to Mau-

crack t--for

rifles popped frosty air. and the the leather hood

CHAPTER XXIII. PURSUIT AND ESCAPE. pe itton’s brave deed would probably ave resulted disastrously iad it not

n for the presence of mind which Prompted him to sree bis companions

just taken place, and then turned his attention to the horses, Whieh had stuck to the road in Spite of the lack of guidance, and were dashing forward at a tremendous pace.

“Hand me the lines.” said Poussin. “TI will drive now.” And with a touch of the whip he spurred the horses to still creater efforts.

“Stop!” said Platoff. “For your own safety you must put us off by the road. Your peril is too great already. It will be inereased if you are caught in our company. Put us off right here, and we can easily escape to the hills.’

“No,” replied Poussin: “I will do nothing of the kird. At present there is no danger. The military outpost is nearly half a mile from the post sta- tion tn the village. To give the alarm it ts necessary for one of the soldiers to go there on foot. Of course the Cossacks will at once start in pursuit, but their horses are pretty well worn out, while ours are fresh. The next ftation is fifty miles distant. I can keep in advance of our pursuers at least that far. When daylight comes, TI will let you out, and you can seek safety in the hills. Your absence will not be discovered until I reach the station, where, of course, I shall be arrested at once.”

“Ah, my friend, escape with us,” implored Platoff. “ Together we will reach the coast and sail on some friendly vesse] to a better country than this. Don’t trust yourself to the mer- cles of these tyrants. They will inflict some terrible punishment—”

“I do not fear,” interrupted Pous- sin. “IT can make an explanation which I think will save me. I have not time to explain now. What I have done for you was only a debt. You faved my life. I hove I have saved yours. Remember, your identity is un- known te me. It is even possible that the authorities will not discover for some time who my strange passen- gers were. Your diseruise is effective, and the fact that a third man was con- cealed in the sledge will never be known.”

In spite of Platoff’s continued en- treaties, Poussin remained firm..

Holding the horses with a skilled hand, he urged them on unsparingly, and the sledge skimmed over the frozen Sround at a speed which made the landscape on each side one dizzy blend. Hour after hour passed on. The dark sky paled gradually, and a Sray light stole over the frozen plain until the distant hills were dimly seen. Morning was close at hand, and yet no trace of the pursuit was visible. East- ward the rugged hill tops were flecked with pale crimson—a Tosy raist be- neath which the morning sun was creeping upward. The atmosphere Was clear and radiant, revealing every tree and rock for miles around. _ Still the horses sped on untirtngly, their nostrils white with foam, their glossy flanks damp and steaming.

Piatoff and Poussin were on the front Seat, Maurice and Phit behind. All were grave and silent, scanning the landscape intently, straining their ears to Cateh the slichtest soamdé. -

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it was Maurice Who sounded the alarm, His sharp cry echoed on the frcsty afr. His rm pointed straight tc the northward, and. turning quick- ly. all saw on the rolline crest of a- dis- tant Fill a sinele black streak mov- ng in Serpentine course down the

* Cogsa, ks !"? «¢ jaculated Platoff, te whole comnanyv at lea: a They are

ming at full eneed,”

‘Be calm,” said Poussin. “They are

fully two miles distant.

come to part.”

_He touched up the horses, and they Shed at a furicus gallop the

~ vel His companions, turn- ne

The time has

over Sround.,

in their seats, watched the ap- Preaching soldiers until they gained the plain and vanished behind the gen- tle undulntions of the read. A mo- ment lator the sledge swept over a ridge, asd Poussin drew up the pant- ing horses in the hollow of a wooded ravine. <A bubblint mountain stream poured down from the hills and emp- tled into the Ussum, some vards dis- tart, “There fs no time to lose.” said Poussin, as the fugitives sprang to the ground. “ Take these provisions,

take a rug heart of the

apiece, strike back into the hills and wade up the bed

rf the stream until the read is out of Sight. Make a wide detour to reach Vladivostock. God be with veu and help you to escane ! There will be Plenty of vessels in the harbour at this time of year. Viadivostock is now but 170 miles aw ay by the: road. Do you need anything else ?”

“ No,” exclaimed Platoff. “We have everything. Heaven grant that no

harm comes to you! T have known many brave men in my tire, but none

that would have dared to do what you have done— ”

“Go !"" said Poussin, huskily. “ Don’t delay. Remember I must. lead your pursuers far off the track that you

may have time to escape.”’

One at a time they clasped the brave merchant’s hand fervently, and with tears in their eyes,

“ Good-bye, good-bye !"" out, chokingly,

* Farewell!” said Poussin. “God be With you!” And, bringine down the Whip on his restless horses, he swevt up the ravine and vanished from sight Over the pine-crowned ridge.

The halt had been of less than two minutes’ duration. The Cossacks were still two miles in the rear, and the chances of escape were good.

The fugitives had climbed out of the Sledge on some loose stones that bor- dered the stream.

Platoff led the way carefully down to the water's edge, and, stepping fear- lessiy in, they waded briskly up the Shallow channel, thus leaving na trace behind to show that the sledge had been relieved of its load at that point.

For fully a mile they remained in

they called

the water, penetrating deeper and deeper into the forest. The weather was slightly milder,

but the snow was still covered with ® firm crust, and their feet made no impression om it as they turned aside from the stream and Pill.

The country was wild snd rugged, mcre so than it had Leen at anv time. The forest was gloomy and dim, and the hills were gaunt and rocky, ful of precipices and dark chasms.

“We are very near the Chinese ‘por. der,” said Platoff. “That is why the scenery is so wild and lonely. The country is uninhabited,’”’

Fortified by their long rest, the fugi- tives travelled all that day at a rapid pace, covering et least twenty-five miles, and when twilight came on they halted among a heap of loose stones and made themselves comfortable with the rucs that Poussin had given them, and which thev had carried on their backs all that day. Not d€ar- ing to light a fire. they ate their sup- rer cold, and then, not being able to sleep, talked for an hour or move over the sitvwation.

Platoff was much distressed about Poussin.

“T ferr that he will be punished se- verely,” he said. “The Government will never overlook such a thing as this. and yt he spoke as though he would be able to make a Satisfactory exzlanation.”

“Yes, he did,” said Maurtue. “ Per- haps he has some influence at Vilaaj- ivosteck,.”

“Either that,’ replied Platoff, “or ke t a man of wealth and can bribe the officials to overlook his indiscre- tien, Money is a powerful agent in this part of Siberia, 6,000 miles from St. Petersburg.”

“How about the pursuit ””’ asked Maurice. “Well.” said Platoff. “of course

they will make an effcrt to scour the ecuntry, but we can readily avoid the soldiers. The coast will be clasely watched, though, and that is where we will encounter the most difficulty. At present we have little to fear. You must remember that our identity may not even be suspected yet, although

the discovery must be made sooner or later. Don't worry over the situ- ation, but keen up your. courage.” And with this edmonition Platoff wrap- ped himself tighter in his rug and went calmly to sieep.

Maurice and Phil cid not nemain lkcng awake. The spot they had chosen was a sheltered ncok between a dozen big rocks, into which no cool wind could penetrate, and all slept’ as only weary men can, waking strength- ened and refreshed at early dawn.

Plateff slipned away on a reconnois- fance, and returned in half an hour with the welcome news that no ix- truders were in the neighbourhood.

“I think we can risk a little fire this morning,” he said, and gathered a few pine cones and dried tips of

branches. He lit them, and held a tin flask of cola tea in the flames.

He smothered the fire with snow, and the warm bevergge was a giate- ful addition to the breakfast.

On that day they first journeyed two or three miles to the westward, draw- ing stil] closer to the borders of Mon- golia, and then headed slightly to the south-east, where Vliadivostock lay. The same wild and barren country pre-

vailed, and Piatoff pene ieee ing his revolver rea entie eee and bidding Maurice do the same. This was not from any fear of meeting the Cossacks, for dan- ger from this source was slight, but because they were now in a neig hbour- hood frequented by large and ferocious tigers, and a casual encounter with one of these monarchs was not at all

improbabDie. ta

Once huge footvrints were sean

Ss Pinar teen ea tht ce a

ascended the }

the snow, and the boys felt their hair beginning to rige on end.

On a closer examination it was seen

that the marks had been made during the last thaw, perhaps a month before, and were frezen solidly in the crust.

In three whole days they met neither tizers nor other peril, but marched on steadily to the south, sleeping at night in erannies among the rocks. The fourth morning the air was warm, and a thin rain was falling. The long de. layed spring had come ai last

“It’s useless to travel,’”’ said Platoff, “in this slush. We could not maké half a dozen miles. We will stay right here until the weather changes. Vladi- vostock is less than 100 miles distant, Let that be a consclation to you.”’

Fortunately the camping place they had chosen the previous nigat ' emi- nently suite for a protracted stay, It was a shailow cavern hollowed from the tas a high cliff and running back half a dozen feet, its face open, of course, and protected from wind and rain by a thick screen of young fir ti ;

Thanks to Poussin’s generosity, it was reedless to worry about food. They had plenty and to spare. Still it was a dreary four days that they spent in

9

‘ASD 7 ed

¢ oO

that rocky nook, with nothing to do but eat, sleep, and talk. It rained hard day and night; the snow fadea away, the ice melted, and the grass underneath began to spring up with amazing rapidity. In four short days Winter yielded to spring, and frozen

Siberia was blossoming a paradise.

“The ice is breaking on the rivers,” said Platoff, ‘and in the harbour of Viadivostcck. The ships will anchor now in the Golden Horn, and the flags of all nations will fioat in the breeze,”’

On the morning of tie fifth day the march was resumed. The sun was shining from a cloudless sky, and birds were singing sweetly in the forest.

The fugitives pressed forward with elastic step, snuffing the crisp, cool at- mosphere and bathing their faces in the warm sunlight that penetrated the foliage.

At noon they halted beside a spring of ice water. They ate a hearty meal, and then, slightly fatigued by the brisk morning walk, dropped lazily on the short grass for a brief siesta.

CHAPTER : XXIV. BESIEGED BY A TIGER.

When Maurice awoke, some time la- ter, both of his companions were sleep- ing soundly. The sun was far to the ere and the air was chilly and pierc- ng.

He threw ou the rug and sat up. A rustling sound not far away attracted his attention, and, looking across the forest, he saw a deer—a big buck with branching horns—strolling past an open glade, thirty yards distant.

With sudden excitement he extended a trembling hand for his revolver, and rose to his feet. He was hungry for fresh venison, and here was too good a chance to be neglected. The canned food and musty cheese put up by the Slarosta was beginning to grow weari- Some.

He delayed for a moment, uncertain whether to awake his companions or not,

“ Better let them sleep,’ "he thought. “T won't be gone long.”

The deer by this time had crossed the glade and vanished in the forest beyond, so Maurice started off brisk- ly, intending to make a wide detour and get ahead of his victim.

He ran up the Valley for nearly a quarter of a mile, keeping close to the base of the hill, and then crept cau- tiously down inte the hollew, peering ahead through the leafless branches of the trecs.- :

In this sheltered retreat patches of Snow still lay here and there on the ground, and through one such spot—an open glade—Maurice tramped heed- lessly.

Still he saw no trace of the deer. He paused and listened intently, but the forest was verv still, He drew back inte a clump of bushes and sat down On a fallen Icc.

(To be Continued.)

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