The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-12-20

What fugitive ever is SOL A horrible
thought haunted me. I remembered the
fate Of our poor Colonel Wysocki, who, after
having been delayed for night in the forest
by his guide, was delivered in the morning
to the gendarmes. Was I to be so treated
and grasped my poniard. Vain fears
Unjust suspicionsl Ny peasant drove me
to an inn, where I drank some tea and
changed horses. In this way drove on all
through that day and far into the night.
where, at my last hating place, the village
OF Soldatskaia, I was, while drinking tea in
crowded cabaret, robbed Of forty rubles in
paper (about eighty francs) and of the en-
velope in which they were contained, which,
alasl also contained list Of the villages
through which had to pass on my journey
to Archangel, and also my passport.
One thing sustained mo in tho face Of this
terrible loss, and that was the utter i'm
possibility of doing any thing but go on. l
continued my journey, therefore and on the
third day Of my flight found myself ut the
gates of Irbit, and thousand kilometres
from Ekaterininski-Z ovod. 'Halt! and
at the city gate. Fortunately for mo, he
added in whisper: Give me ten kopeks,
and be of with you"
u,
and soon after found myself in crowded
inn OF the poorest class and among a swarm
OF peasants from all parts of Siberia. an
nounced that had left my passport with
the authorities, and the next morning after
breakfast slipped out, avowedly to get it
and show it to the landlord, but really for
the purpose of leaving Irbit, which did at
once, and unchallenged, by the northern
gate. During the night, while apparently
asleep, had reviewed my resources, and
had come to the conclusion that could no
longer proceed in sledgcs nor sleep in even
the poorest inns, but must husband to the
utmost the 125 francs which remained. /
walked therefore all through the day, from
time to time munching the frozen bread and
dried fish which carried in my bag, and
Quenching my thirst at the holes cut by the
peasants in the ice for the purpose of water
ing their cattle. When night began TO
draw in, resolved to prepare an Ostiak
burrow to sleep in.
Where the snow is deep and dry it is not
by any means impossible to sleep warmly in
the very boart of a forest, provided always
that one knows how to prepare an Ostiak
burrow. This is done by following sort
of horizontal cave in the snow. Into this
the Ostiaks creep, and after piiing up the
snow at the entrance of the burrow, 50 as to
exclude the cold air, they lie down and sleep
in perfect security and warmth. succeeded
perfectly in preparing my Ostiak bed, but l
was imprudent enough to cover myself with
the furred side Of my pelisse turned inward,
and slept so warmly in consequence that the
snow melted at the door Of my burrow and
let in the cold air, so that woke ut day
break with my feet almost frozen, and had
to rise and begin my journey at once. 1t was
terrible day. The work of toiling through
the snow was hard enough, but toward noon
rose the terrible icy wind of Siberia, which
drove in my face with binding force, and
whirled masses of dry light snow before it.
Still, toiled on. The short day was closing
in when had to confess to myself that !
must rest or die. Fortunately was near a
small solitary hut, and I knocked at the
door. 1t was at once opened by a young
woman, who motioned me to enter saluted
her and her mother in the Russian fashion,
and in reply to the usual inquiry where
was going, and ''where the good God was
leading me-" answered that was work
man from the government of Tobolsk, and
was going northward to the iron fouuderies
of Bohotsk. The woman gave mea hot sup.
per, and had the infinite relief of being able
to take of and dry my clothes. then
stretched myself on a bench and fell asleep,
with an indescribable sensation of relief
and contentment thought that had neg.
lected no precaution, nevertheless the wo.
men began to suspect me. had four shirts
too great luxury for Siberian. was
sinking into deep sleep when was awak-
ened by q rude grasp on my shoulder, and
saw myself surrounded by four peasants,
who demanded my passport.
And what right have you to demand my
passport7' exclaimed in feigned anger.
us one Of you government officer?"
''None Of us, it is true, but we arc al
home"
rs that truel" l asked, turning to an old
peasant woman.
Eyes; they are from this village.''
"Well, then" I replied, II will tell you
that NY name is Lavrenti Kouzmine, from
the government of Tobolsk and that l an
going to Bohotsk to seek work.
"Forgive us, little father" responded the
peasants. 1--WE are excusable, you see, TO,
there are often escaped convicts about"
The rest of the night passed comfortably
and quietly, but the next morning l break
sasted and babe farewell to the women, with
the melancholy certainty Of passing my
nights in future in the heart Of the forest
Aue ueulahu IOV u passport l2O SHOWN me
low dangerous it was for me to frequent
the haunts of men. For many night after
ward, therefore, the Ostiak burrow was my
sole refuge, and l became so accustomed tc
1t that at close of day I entered the forest AZ
II it were well known hosiery.
From the 18th or 10th of February to tbs
first week in April iourneyed northward
only thrice venturing to seek shelter in 6
house. I suffered much. The absence o.
all civilized comforts, and especially of he'
food, privation more difficult to bear thar
any other on such long cold journey
almost brought me to the grave Then, too
had constantly to struggle against that dis
position to sleep which Is death in such
case - mine. ....----
/ 1t was 1t Paouda, high mp in the Oura
Mountains, that slept in house for TIL
second time after leaving Irhit, was pass
lug late ct night through: . village, when
voice from ono Of theisbas (huts) called out
'Who goes tharol'
"A traveller" ...
HAHA x,Ass SnalnA %aSAN