Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-05
GANG OF MURDERERS.
AN ADVENTURE IN THE CASPIAN SEA
ON A STEAMER.
Russian Criminols-A Handsome MUIR
derer-A Devil with ON
Angels Face.
fCourisr.Journal.l

fCourier-Journall
There are few more dismal places on
the whole western shore of the Caspian
Sea than the little Russian port OF Pc
trovsk, where--after scurrying night and
day across the whole breadth of the eau
casus 10 catch the one weekly steamer
for Astrakhsn-I found on arrival that
there WAS no steamer to catch, for 1t bad
not come in vet. This was owing to the
fact that his Majesty the Shah OF Persia
there on visit 10 the Car had been
praciouslv pleased 10 go northward in
four or five steamers at once, completely
deraneing all local communications for
the time being.
This was doubly provoking, for the
Russian expedition against hhlva was
then in progress, and / was making all
haste 10 reach the seat of war More
over, this delay might give time for my
presence to become known 70 the Rus
sian authorities, who had strictly for
hidden all correspondents to cross the
Asiatic frontier, and had already stopped
and sent back several who were attempt
ing 10 pass. In fact, the only two CORE
spondents who idfnally succeed in get
ting into Central Asia were myself and
poor McGahan, Of the New York Hrrdld,
who probably owed TO the multiplied
hardships of That terrible campaign his
premature death in Turkey.
For four mortal days did / "kick my
| heels" in this delightful place, sleeping
/ Mt night on a bench in the dirty little
| cabin that served as postlng-house,
which was haunted 10y countless 60 in
| digenons creepers" not classified by
| botanistis, while during the whole day
I had nothing TO do but to swim, TO eat
black bread and goats milk cheese. and
TO pass restlessly up and down the stone
| break-water Of the little harbor, watch
ing in vain through my glass for any
sign of the delayed boat. On the third
afternoon of my vigil Russian peasant,
/ who was also waiting to 90 10y her, came
ND to me and said with great cagerness
/ evidently in perfect good falth) that
/ "the steamer ought to be Mt Lenkoran
/ by this time, and he wished would turn
my glass that way and try if [ could see
/ her, "-Lenkoran being at least one
| hundred miles distant.
However, the long-eXpectcd steamer
came st last. and away we went toward
| the northwestern corner OF the great
/ land-locked sea. toward the mouth OF the
Volga and Astrakhan.
/ Having been on short commons Tor
several DAYS past | was naturally pretty
hungry. and looked forward with no
small eacerness to the excellent tea
and appetizing dishes of the evening
meal. More than once as paced rest
lesslv to and fro along the upper deck a
clinking sound from below, as If plates
and tea-cups were being set ont brought
me hastily down TO the saloon. only to
find the table still bare and not II sign OIL
| food anywhere visible.
But lust as | was turning disconso-
lately to go up again after the third OF
these disappointments, | caught sight OF
A group Of about a dozen men on the
main deck, Just beyond the line which
marked off the first-class from the
second class passengers Six of them
displayed the olive green jacket and gray
freize oyercoat Of Russian grenadlers OF
/ the line. while the rest wore the high
sheepskin cap. white tunic embroidered
across the breast, and smart velvet
trousers. of Georgian or ClrcasHan
monntaincers. Two Of the latter were
living asleep On the deck, while the other
] four were playing cards with four OF the
soldiers. As they moved their feet the
mysterious clinkiug sound, which had so
often puzzled me already, was heard
again louder than before; and l nov
perceived that it proceeded from the
chains with which their limbs were
linked together at the ankles
OF the four whom ! WAS able to OBJ
serve-for the two sleepers had their
faces hidden-three were formidable
looking fellows, whose fierce, brlgaud-
like visagcs bore ample traces III then
scowhng brows and fiery eyes OF that
savage, unreasoning fury which dehes
ail restraints and ignores sill conse-
ouenccs. But the cOuntenance OF
the fourth. who sat facing me
as / stood, was even more appalling Ill
its own peculiar way. The features them
selves we're mild and almost handsome,
but there was a dreadful blaukness about
them-an absolute want of any express
sion Whatever which WAS uuutterabiy
CHASTITY. 1t was the face not OF an IDIOT
but of al animnl-not OF being IN
whom reason and conscience had be-
come extinct, but of one in whom they
had never existed.
just then mp came one Of the two I'M
occupied soldiers, sturdy veteran OF the
bohemian war whose strong, upright
FIGURE. and bold, sunburned face almost
contadicted the evidence OF his gflzzled
hair.
"Are you looking at orr birds
father? You needn't be afraid Of them
they're quiet enough in their cage, as you
see"
"I'm not afraid, brother" answered
/. GIVE seen plenty OF such fellows IL
ms time. and there's 10 fear OF then
breaking loose with good soldier like
YOU to look after them"
"Weu. father" said the 'Old nous
tache, evidently pleased with the com
phment. - dare say can take charge
Of them as well as anybody else. Lu'
for all that" he added, lowering hi'
voice mysteriously, Il shall be very
glad to get rid of them
"Why so 2" asked, startled by the
mans voice and manner more than
bv his words. You must surely be
well used to mounting guard over muir
derers by this time. y .,
Ave, ordinary murderers; but there
one man here who's enough to sink the
ship all by himself, IT We get safe to
land with linn on board it'll be by the
mercy OF God" (here he crossed himself
devoutlyl
(Which is he?" inquired, awed il
spite Of myself 10y the undlsguised ter
ror Of this IRON man, whose Scared lace
showed that be had seen many n battle
field, and had probably taken more than
one lie with his own hand.
Before the Russian could answer one
of the two sleeping prisoners suddenly
awoke and raised himself slowly iron
the deck, showing me as be did so The
Lapdsomest face that | had ever seen IL
NY life.
Beautiful as an Apollo, slim and grace
ful rs deer-Lound, with "a bright boyisl
look on his fresh young face that wouiC
have won any heert at the first glance