Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-24
4 NIHILIS'r'S STORY.

house, then occupied by the nihilist
brothers Eyichevitch, was regularly be-
sieged and captured by the gendarmes at
the point of bayonets. They fought des-
peratefy on both sides. The gendarmes
were ordered to take the administrators
headquarters at any cost, and the nihi-
lists were determined to defend them
selves to the last shot. One door after
another was broken in, but not before
each was turned in a sieve oy the shots
fired from both sides Captain Sudeikin
and his men wore suits of cham mail, get
gendarme was killed on the spot. Both
brothers Ivichevitch were mortallv
wounded n Brantner and another
friend were seriously wounded. The
conspirators were overpowered, arrested,
and brought to the police headquarters
On the same night in another house l
was arrested and brought to the same
police building. In what plight be-
held my comrades there n. Posen and
B. Steblin- Kamensky were standing with
their arms tightly bound behind their
backs and held by gendarmes. In cor
ner of the same room were sitting Miss
Armfeld, Miss PatalitZin, and p. Saran-
dovitch. ali bound and helpless. The
room was filled with policemen and
armed gendarmes. Amid roar of voices
there suddenly appeared the gigantic fig
ure of our lrave comrade, known under
the assumed name of Antonof. He was
dragging behind him two policemen who
tried to hold him by his arms. Never
can forget his appearance. Pale was
his face, sparkling his eyes, disordered
his black, curly hair, and trembling his
frame from head to foot
"What is that?" he Numbered, point
ing at Posen and Kamensky. arms
tied9 Away with the ropesw
''Please calm YOURSELF said the police
captain I'VE will unite them"
Instantly the ropes were taken away.
"Water! | want a drink" reared
Antonoff. Bring water at once"
commanded the captain. Presently a
colonel of gendarmes appeared, and or
dered that each of us should be taken to
a separate cell.
Use your swords aud bayonets in
case of need" SAID the colonel to the
gendarmes.
On the next day we were transferred
to the fortress where scores Of our friends
had been pining for years, waiting for
the "quick and just trial !" which has
been solemnly promised by the Car
Alexander. Of course we were subjected
to solitary confinement. However, we
kept up lively correspondence. We
telegraphed to one another by rapping
on the wall. Occasionally we shouted
to each other in our cipher. The fort
ress authorities tried in vain to hinder us
from talking in one way or another In
A - i 4
court. As we were not allowed, though
we had the right by law, to choose our
own counsel, we decided not to take any
part whatsoever in the sham trial.
Three of our party of fifteen-Antonoff,
Brantner, and Ossinsky-werec condemned
to death, and the rest to hard labor in
the Siberian mines for fourteen years and
ten months. When the sentence of
death was announced lady prisoner
swooned. The spectators who packed
the hall were greatly excited; curiosity
prompted some to stand up on the
benches.
''What do you stare at % Numbered
Antonof with his eyes flaming ''For
shame, to make spectacle of this
thingl" The people fell back and turned
to the exit.
After the trial we condemned prison
ers-thoSe who were to die and those
destined for Siberia-were allowed to
pass part of every day together. 1t is
impossible to describe our feelings. On
the eve of the execution of our three
friends we babe them the last good-by
must say that on that momentous even
ing the three who were about to die
tried their best to cheer the rest of u.s.
Antonoff was anxious about only one
thing-that his proper name would not
be discovered. He loved his mother
dearly, and wished that she might re-
main ignorant of his fate. 1t is hardly
necessary to say that the three died
bravely.
Soon after that we were sent to Eastern
Siberia. The two of us who did not be-
long to the nobility were sent on foot,
ike the rest of the unprivileged crlmi-
mails. Their heads were half shaved. and
heavy chains were put on their feet.
According TO the law. the noblemen do
not lose their privileges until they reach |
their destination in Siberia, and so some
of US drove in rude wagons. Our heads
were not shaved, and we were free from
chains. All, however, were dressed alike
We had caftans of a coarse gray cloth,
with two diamond shaped yellow patches
on our backs to signify that we were
sentenced to hard labor The Siberian
exiles proper wore only an ace of dia-
monds. From Kieff We went by railroad
in special prison car, accompanied by
gendarmes Thus we passed Orel. Mos