Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-03-21


halted near mound which did not differ in
appearance from many other mounds that
they had passed A skillfully contrived
path in the mound, which was completely
concealed from view by bushes and trees, led
to spacious room or cave which communi-
Gated with other and smaller apartments. A
large pile of logs burned brightly in the
center, and all around were piles Of goods,
ornaments, aud provisions, while guns,
swords, daggers and axes hung against the
walls. Into this place Evghenia was dragged
Several men of the gang bound her hands and
feet Then the robbers sat down around the
fire and began to talk over their ad-
ventures, seasoning their stories with copious
draughts from barrel of vodka The laugh
ter becme boisterousand the talk more san
culinary and fiercer as they recounted their
bloody deeds
Suddenly peculiar signal was heard out
side, and all started. The signal was re-
peated, and robbers sprang TO their arms.
The watchers had seen a rich caravan APP
preaching. The robbers rushed out, SEEM
ingly forgetting their captive.
About five minutes after their departure
Evghenia heard gentle voice and saw an old
man looking kindly at her.
Il, like you, am captive here he said
"They captured me as was travelling through
the forest with some merchandise, and were
going 10 murder me- but as / begged hard for
my life they changed their minds and de
cided to make me their Waterman. But I'll
try to do whatever can for you and help
you to escape. Here, take this knife, and cut
the ropes that bind you" The old man
kicked toward her a knife which, with much
effort, she managed to get hold of and cut the
cords
run for your life, Matlshka little mother
the old man implored: do not stop; here
death is certain Run wherever you can and
as far as you car. You may yet escape and
if you get to place of safety pray for my
soul, for these robbers may yet kill me before
long
Evghenia made her way out as well as she
yould and ran. Every minute she would
stumble over log or stump, and now thorns
would tear her clothing and scratch her face
and body. Weary and footsore and bleeding
she kept on and on. Then she heard faint
sounds in the distance and the baying of
bloodhounds Nearer and nearer came the
sounds.
AT last she came up with moujik who was
driving a CARLOAD of hay. She told him her
story and begged him to take her along. Tho
moujik looked grave. II the robbers found
her with him they would surely kill him, he
said They were the terror of all that part of
the county. However he added, Il can
not leave you thus: Ill take the risk Then,
hastily dismounting, he threw down a num-
Der Of bales of hay and told her TO get in and
lie down. She did so and then the moujik
piled up the other bundles over her and, after
tying them down, he again mounted his seat,
lighted pipe, and drove along as though
nothing had happened. In about an hour he
was overtaken 10y half dozen rough-looking
men, who ordered him to halt. He recog-
nized them as robbers and Immediately reined
i'm his horses.
"Where is that woman who passed along
here'7 asked one of the men.
God he with YOU replied the moujik,
feigning intense establishment; this is no
place for women. You will not find any wo-
men within twenty versts."
Stop up. your throat" cried the first
speaker; you have got her in that hay and
we are going to search"
The moujk thought that his last hour had
come, but did not lose his presence of mind.
If you are going TO throw this hay all over
the road you will please help me TO load 1t up
again and not let = moor man do all the work
himself y he said
Even the robbers smiled Mt the reu,est ms
they began pullinp down the bay. Bunlle
after bnndle was thrown down. the monii k
calmly percbed ON his seat end remarking Ibid
I NOT tell Won that there Is no woman here ~
One barge bundle covered Evpba,io and the
robbers lecane impatient. and ealI,,d ont ia
the driver. Here little father. pet down
and on. back your hay we have no time
and they hurried away
The mouiik npt bacl the hay and drova ON
rIe drove sInviv so "a M, 10 ranch nj. vilIsoe
before niobtfoIl for be d;d NOT want any one
tn tnoxv that ba had brorobt in n fu1itiye
from the robbers He entered his cottage
fjrst ami warned his fa,bily not 10 tell anv
one a. the Young lady,s arrival. for he was
afraid of the revenge Of the robbers When
all wa. prepared he led Eygbenia in, and the
good housewife soon prepared her a comfort
able sumner
The arrangements for taking her home were
soon completed. In due time they arrived at
Eyghenia's native village and drove no 20 the
Sokoloy mansion. They entered with some
wares, and after half an hour the moujik
come out alone. After calling at several
other houses ne continued on his travels.
Two months passed but no one in the vii
lage had heard Of Evghenia's return. Sew
eral strangers called and made many in
a,rries about the bayar and his family, and
tben Mai Noroy was saan DRIVING nm IN ,ba