Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-08-13


gaze.
"But what sudden whim is thisP" re-
sumed the commandant. "You have
said nothing concerning it heretofore.
mo, your excellency, but l have
thought much. You have been kind
enough to notice my Indifferent health
during the last few weeks. This expe-
dition would, l am sure, restore it."
81 doubt it, Feodor," replied the Off
Ger. Hardship and exposure are not
likely to cure illness of any kind. No,
no, my friend. We must do what we |
can for your health here at the fort, for it |
is impossible to grant leave to anyone |
at present. The frigate is in sight, ald !
will reach her anchorage before dark;
and. until she sails again, we shall be
only too much in need of whatever, as
sistance you are able to give. Afterward,
it shall be as you wish
A strange look, half miyhful and half
terrible, came for moment into Feo-
doris brooding eyes; but he said nothing
further, and, with submissive bow,
left the room. A few hours later, how
ever, the commandant found to his in
dignation, that the young man had qui-
etly taken his gun and a supply OF am
munition, and left the settlement. Why
he had chosen to go thus, could not be
determined; but gone he was, and for
many long day the settlers saw moth
ing of him. However, the presence of
Kotzebue and his crew served to divert,
at least in a great degree, the thoughts
of both commandant and subordinates
from the conduct of their late fellow-col-
onist; and as the weeks and months flew
by, under the reviving influence of the
new life, borrowed, so to speak, from the
frigate, and the time of the vessels de-
parture drew near, their minds had still
less leisure in which to dwell upon the
fortunes of the fugitive. At length the
whirl of excitement ended; the day fix
ed as the utmost limit of the frigate's
stay arrived and passed. Night had
come, the final farewell had been said,
crew and captain were embarked, and
only waiting for the momentarily ex-
pected breeze. The fog crept slowly in,
hiding the vessel from sight, and the
throng of settlers lining the beach turn
ed reluctantly to their domicils. Among
them was the commandant, who could
not repress feeling of lonely sadness as
he thought of his departing guests. From
this, by a sudden transition, his mind
turned to the desertion of Feodor, and
its sadness gave place to indignation.
No sooner had he reached his quarters
than he summoned his second in com.
mand.
Lieutenant" he said, as the officer
entered, tomorrow we must commence
search for traces of the deserter, Fec.
DOR"
The lieutenant repressed a smile as he
replied:
at is unnecessary, colonel. Feodor is
? here"
i, "What! HereP"
SIN his cabin"
] "When did he returnP"
. '"While you were on the beach. H
has, however, been wandering about tn
6 neighborhood for some days, but proba
. bly, could not, until now, muster suficien
4 courage to meet you"
|, Bring the rascal here this moment!
!, The lieutenant left the room, and al
o most Immediately returned with the cul
h prit. In the latter there seemed littl
change, save that he had grown haggard
y as from hardship, and that the strange
n haunted look had deepened in his eyes
But the commandant, in his anger, no
ticed nothing of this, and burst out
: harshly:
$50 you are back at last. Where hav
v you beenP"
70 70 Different places, excellency. Som
n- times here and other times in the south.
.s "With the Mexicans, rascal, of course
81 And what scheme of treachery led yo
g thereP"
+ Feodor's eyes famed as he answered
DC Your words are hard, excellency
to I had no thought of treachery."
a The commander was commencing a
d. angry retort, when the door suddenl
t, opened, and Capt. Kotzebue entered I'll
ks room, exclaiming:
h. ga thousand pardons. my dear colone
e. for the interruption; but, at the last mt
e. ment before sailing, / chanced upon tt
IL memorandum for which we were searcl
~ ing only to-day, and as the wind is ;
IL vet mere breath, l made an excu'
lie for
n The speaker suddenly stopped. Fl
as gaze had fallen upon Feodor, who, wit
ms blanched face and glaring eyes, was ha
ke tily moving towards the door, In an i
,le stant Kotzebue flung himself in his pat
lis crying aloud:
on "God in heaven! It's Ouschendi"
SO The commandant started forward.
yer "Ouschendi!" he cried, ''and who
IT'S hep"
'ut "Once the favorite serf of Baron M
ok. ref, but now for three years the blood
vas his master has been upon his hands
the answered Kotzebue. Colonel, my
it'll terruption was well timed. Fcod
Ouschendi, you are my prisoner"
the Feodor's eyes cleaned like those ol
hat wild beast at bay, and his hand crt