Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-02-14
Che Republira'',
Eodoiska
The Russian Counts Daughter
BY FRED LANG.
CHAPTER XIII

Rasinski and his friends pursued
their way to Zembin. Here the,
found Marshal Ney, on whom still
devolyed the most difficult task
that Of covering the retreat. The
worst of the fatigue and suffering
seemed, however, to have passed
for they now found themselves in ;
region that was not utterly laid waste
in which the inhabitants were more
favorably disposed. Frederick sue
ceeded while at Zembin In obtaining
a small sled, affording room for two
persons. which was consigned tt
Lodoiska and Jeanette. A horse wa:
also procured and harnessed to it
Thus they set out for Wilma the
longed for haven of safety, for the
time admitted of no delay.
The suns cold disk began to red
den, and sink towards its snowy bed
on the third day after leaving Fem.
bia, wher our fugitives perceived
Malodeczno, about an hours journey
before them. The hope of reaching a
shelter re-invigorated the ebbing
powers of the body and mind. They
soon entered the town and there
found shelter and food for the night
The mariner who, after buffeting the
storms of the vastly deep, enters the
secure haven, is not so deeply pene-
trated with feelings of safety and OF
thankfulness as were these wayfarers,
when this prospect Of hospitality and
repose sent a glow Of fresh life
through their veins. Thus they
rested their weary limbs until morn
ing. At an early hour they left their
quarters, and resumed their journey.
The previous nights quiet rest had
SO invigorated the strength of the
wanderers that they found them
selves adequate to undergo fresh
fatigues. The insufferable cold, how
ever, seized upon them, especially
when on the other side of the town
they assembled an activity in the
open field. They soon came upon
the track of the army; for the foot
often struck against dead bodies,
which frozen into stone, lay in the
middle OF the road. Willhof who was
well acquainted with the surround
ing country, diverged from the main
road, so as to reach Smorgonia by a
nearer and safer path. At the same
time, the forest screened them from
the intense cold. Late at night the
wanderers arrived in Smorgoni. The
town was full of soldiers, but by
happy coincidence they found a
shelter, and nourishing
food. Thus passed another night,
until the dawn awakened them to
new dangers and troubles. They left
their quarters and pursued their way.
The sun went down behind grey and
heavy clouds, singly, slowly, and
feebly a host of pale, shadowy figures
plodded through the snow. They
seemed to be the inhabitants OF an
other world, which the friendly
smile Of that luminary never greeted.
Misery dwelt in their sunken and
eyes; the gripping monster.
bumper, grinned from their hollow
cheeks and distorted lips; their
teeth shook and chartered from the
piercing cold. and their vague and
wandering look betrayed the horrors
Of incipient insanity. In this plight
these frightful objects fell benumbed
and unconscious over the other, and
where a rational being was yet found
among them, he speedily supped full
Of horror. until they blunted every
nerve Of his system.
So long as day light attended them
heir hopes were kept buoyant- But
as night spread its pail over the
frozen earth. the last Pickering spark
Of courage fed from the breast, and
even the stoutest among them was
bowed down. by dependency The
sun had disappeared, and the twi-
light set in; the road descended into
he unexplored dells and hollows OF
; dense and gloomy forest; no hope
existed Of finding a sheltering roof.
The huge fir-trees rose like grim
giants along the path, overspreading
{ with their long blackened arms.
Large bodies of men came to halt,
md by order OF their commander set
about establishing themselves in
oivouac- Frederick gave utterance
10 similar wish; but Rasinski urged
his friends to hold on their way a
while longer. Accustomed to confide
n their leader, all followed his advice
Suddenly he stopped. "Now, my
friends. he said, @here let US try to
build a fire, and let us see IL we can
lot weather out this terrible night"
He ordered the people quickly to
AXE possession Of this spot, and was
he first one to put hand to the
work. Frederick and Henry busted
themselves In removing the snow, so
Is to obtain free space on which to
Rasinski assisted by Jaromir, Boil
,slaus and a few others, tore the
wigs and branches from the trees.
The united efforts OF these active
lands in a few minutes accomplished
heir object. A bright flame shot up,
he ground was strewed with fresh
zine branches to form a couch, which !
vas arranged close under q bank OF
Earth, so as to shield them from the
Wind. they prepared the evening
neal, and then lay down in a compact
1911 clEcle, as near the uIc dS Tue neat
Thus they slept, until
Rasirski reused every one to prepare
or marching, the thick mist of the
had settled down and
,hrouded the forest in its grey man.
lie. But it was not a humid floating
mist which stole its way among the
pushes and underwood, but driving
'leety ice-dust, which darkened the
atmosphere. On inhaling 1t into the
lungs it struck like pungent poison,
Get up, sleepersl" cried Rasinski;
to- day you reach the end Of all your
and toll"
But only the smallest number heed
I'd his call. A few stirred-sat up
md -groaned, and then tumbled back
10 breath out the last vestige of life;
he greater part already lay locked
n the rigid embrace Of death; among
hem the faithful W illhof. Frederick
and Henry were aware that this day
hey were to put forth their last
energies. Lodoiska strangely enough
seemed to be the least affected by
~ bouafion With faelinOe Iacerated