Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-23
ICoatirued from frst page.


ture was perceptibly lower. so that Ellen
shivered more from cold than fear. We
pressed on. Mr.. Merton, as have said,
had been nwilling to take my counsel, in
opposition 10 the SCOTS and circumstances
of his friends. but now he said, in an al
tered tone:
IL begin to think, Richards, that you
and the Tarters were right. God bless
you for your unselfish kindness, my boy,
whatever comes of this"
Before ! could reply, terrified outcry
from Ellen's lips made me turn my head
Just as the first quick snowfiakes came
whirling down, and there, behind us,
throwing before it as it came, CHASTITY
CLEAN of light. come from the north q
shapeless wilderness rolling piteously on
THE snowi the snowr we exclaimed
as IL with one voice, urging on our at-
frighted horses to their fullest speed,
while behind MS. like the tide rising fast
over the sands of the sea shore. swept on
the white wave, burying beneath it as it
advanced, bush, and mound. and water
course, and blouing out every feature OF
the landscape to the northward
Then began race indeed the alarmed
horses strained every sinew to ontstrip the
pursuing fate; but with all our speed the
drift gained upon us. and presently we
found ourselves plunging and floundering
up to our saddle-girths in snow. The
moons radiance was now obscured, and
afar off to the westward my eye had
caught the ruddy glance of fire, such as
charcoal-burners kindled among the hills,
and never did storm-tossed mariner
watch the welcome beacon OF some har-
Dor more eagerly than did this saving
light. ~
The fire, had conjectured. was burn
ing high upon one of the wooded spurs
OF the mountain range near the sources
of the Amour, but to reach it was no tri-
fling task. Our exhausted steeds, worn
out by the toilsome passage through the
snow. could scarcely be urged to fresh ex-
ertions, while the rush Of the deepening
flood and the binding showers that dashed
into our faces, threatened at each instant
to overwhelm us. We reached the Amour
at last, down the swollen current of which
were whirling masses of snow, and here
Ellen's horse fell, and could not be raised,
while that of Mr.. Merton, gasping and
spent, no longer answered to the spur.
Save yourself. Frank leave us; why
should all perish ~ groaned the merchant.
There was some strength and spirit yet
left the gallent Turcoman that bestrode,
and snatching up Eilen's light form in my
arms, spurred into the river, and strug-
Cling through, deposited my precious bur-
den on the turf beyond, under the shelter
of rocky boulder. then recrossed the
ford, and bidding Mr.. Merton to cling
tightly to my horses name, for the third
time breasting the current and half wad-
ing, when we got through on the farther
bank my noble horse reeled and fell,
with faint, low neigh, and so died. The
carcasses Of the others were already bur-
led beneath the driving snow.
The rest of our story-how, after some
fatigue. we scaled the rocky rayine where
stood the hut of the charcoal-burners, and
how these rough. but kind beings warmed
and fed US, and finally enabled us to
reach Kiachta in safety--is tale of mere
commonplace hardship. have been for
years the happy husband of Eliza, and a
junior partner in the house of Merton &
Paulovitch, although our sphere of BUSH
ness has been removed to less romantic
region than that of Eastern Siberia. OF
the fate Of Count Annenkof and the car
AVIAN under his charge no survivor return
ed to headquarters to tell the tale.