The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-02

tant more than hundred miles, but we
knew the direction, and set out with con-
siderable confidence, having heard no
alarm from those left behind.
| We had five hours before daylight and
during these hours we were hardly ever off
a "dog-trot," and we made good twenty
miles. We fanked one village, and did
not once meet q person, though we pur-
sued the road most of the time. When
signs of daylight appeared we discovered
that we had been holding too far to the
north, and had thus departed consider
able distance from the direct route back to
the port on Lake Ladoga where we landed.
This was, however, of no great moment,
and we looked about for place to stop,
realizing that our dress would prohibit us
from travelling during the day, if there
were no other considerations. We select
ed thicket of pines on hill, which we
afterwards found to overlook village not
more than half mile away. We also dis
covered soon after daylight that there was
not another thicket or bit of woods within
three miles of us. This made us anxious
to secure a less exposed location, but when
the people began to move about, we dared
not make the attempt. 1t was clear
sharp morning. and we suffered some with
the frost until the sun grew strong. We
had no provision, but were too anxious to
feel hunger. M I..t....
The road was half mile away, in plain
sight, and we saw quite number ofhorse-
men pass during the forenoon. 1t was
about one o'clock before we got an alarm );
we heard horn blowing great way off,
and horse and rider finally passed us on
the gallop, and halted at the village. That
he was courier heralding the news of our
escape was plain enough. When men,
ber of the Siberian chain gang escapes the
soldiers do not leave the chain to pursue,
but notify the first traveller or farmer, and
keep right on their journey. The traveller
OF farmer must spread the news, and each
one who receives notice must give notice,
and be on alert. There is severe penalty
for harboring or aiding an escaped prison.
err and small reward for delivering him
up.
We now knew that the news of our es-
cape was being spread and expected that
our place of refuge would be searched.
Several villagers put off on their horses,
and the courier took another road, but no
passed without cause for alarm. Moup-
tains were in sight to the southwest and
the northwest, and before darkness came
we had settled on our direction. The jour
ney to st. Petersburg around the lake
could never be made; neither would it do
to return to the port of Shakudoo, where
we had landed from the steamer. We de-
cided to work further to the north, and
strike Lake Ladoga near the mouth of the
River Soir, and then in some way get
transportation across.
When night came we left our retreat
and headed to the south, SO as to make a
detour of the village and the farms. We
were both suffering considerable from hun
ger, and were so stiff that we did not get
along very fast. After an hours travel
ing, and just as we were heading to the
north, we heard the baying of hounds on
our trail. We were for moment unde-
cided as to whether hounds were tracking
us, or whether the dogs were accompany
ing party along some road, but we soon
made up our minds that we were being
hunted. No domestic animal has the fero-
| no atnr nf ha nd
once upon trail and nothing can rival its
persistency in following the track. The
country was devoid of trees or water
courses, and as the deep-toned bays came
nearer, Joe and started forward on the
run, keeping our course, but having no
plan to escape the hounds. We were cross
ing farm, and coming upon logbarn,
the door Of which stood open, we dashed in.
A horse and colt ran out, and Joe shut the
door when the hounds were not over ten
rods away.
There were two of the dogs, and / sup
posed they picked up the trail while ram
bling around, else they would not have
done just as they did. They followed the
trail to the very door, and then both ran
after the horse, which galloped off at fu-
rious pace. He ran away half mile, and
then made circuit back, and by this time
the farmer was out with his gun. He fired
at one of the dogs, and the report and his
shouts drove them off. Our fear was that
he would come to the barn, and it was
soon realized. We dared not leave the
cover until sure that the hounds were out