San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-16

IheSe failures were, however, OF use 10 me,
since in consequence of them was induced
TO try the route which proved the way to
freedom. The choice of route is of the
greatest consequence to a fugitive when be-
ginning his perilous journey. The high road
from Siberia to the center of Russia is the one
oftenest taken, because the most direct and
the easiest. But for this very reason it is in
comparably the most dangerous. The sur
veillance there exercised by the government
is one of unceasing vigilance, and it is ably
seconded by the inhabitants, whose zeal and
rapacity are continually on the alert. The
Tartars have a saying with regard to the fu-
gitives from Siberia, "If you kill a squirrel
you have but his single skin, but if you kill
q 'carnak IA term of contempt applied to
prisoners, ''you have three-his clothes, his
shirt and himself" the reward for giving up
the man to justice). Five other roads re
manned, all less dangerous than the one above
alluded to, but far more difficult and weari-
some | decided to go northward, across the
Oural mountains and the steppes of Petchara
and Archangel to Archangel, a route which
was not only the least used but had also the
immense advantage of being the shortest,
for, once at Archangel, | hoped TO be able to
escape in one of the many foreign ships al
ways to be found in that port.
had for many months been accommodating
one by one, with great secrecy and no small
difficulty, the articles Indispensable to my
flight.
First among these was passport. The ST.
berian peasant is fond of travelling, and the
law requires him to be provided with two
passports, one for small distances, that is,
from village to village, and another, sealed
with the imperial arms, and bearing the gov
eminent stamp.
/ succeeded in fabricating the one and the
other. also procured a Siberian wig, that
is to say, the hood called wig worn by all
peasants in Siberia. 1t is made of sleeps
hide, the wool turned inward, and covers the
forehead down to the eyes, and comes well
forward over the cheeks making-fOr any
one not in the habit of wearing it-a disguise
almost as complete as a mask and domino.
| had also succeeded in procuring PEASANTS
costume, and had accumulated the sum of
$50 rubes about 200 francs)-a small sum for
such a long journey, and destined to be
diminished still further by fatal accident.
On the night of the Sth of February, 1916,
crept out of the hut while my companions
were sleeping. My enterprise was desper-
ate one at any time, and had selected this
month because of the great yearly fair at
Irbit, which attracted vast crowd of people
from all parts of Siberia, among whom
hoped to pass unperceived. | wore three
shirts; the outer one hung over my heavy
pantaloons of Russian cloth, and my PEASANTS
waistcoat and "armiak' Ia short burnoose of
sheepskin soaked in tallow) were bound
round my waist with red, black and white
wooden sash. Long boots of tarred rawhide
met the edge of the 'armial," and on my
wig wore the round cap of red velvet, Dor
dered with fur, which every Siberian peasant
sports on fete days. An enormous furred
pelisse, the collar Of which was turned up
and tied round my neck with handkerchief,
fuITed gloves and a heavy stick completed
my accouterment. In the leg of my right
boot had a poniard, my money was in my
waistcoat, and carried bag containing a
pair of pantaloons of blue linen, a shirt and
a pair of boots, as well as some bread and
dried fish.
/ slipped noiselessly out of the hut and
crept round O crosSway in order not to gain
the high road Immediately.
1t was freezing hard and bitter cold; the
bright moonlight giittered on the snow.
soon crossed the frozen lrtisch, and walked
at rapid pace along the high road, reflect
ing that the nights in Siberia were long, and
calculating how far | could go before day
light, when my flight must inevitably be dis
covered. Suddenly heard far behind me the
noise Of Sledge advancing at full speed.
shuLdered, but nevertheless resolved to hail
it when it passed Il. ! was saved that
trouble
"Where are you going" said the peasant
who drove the SlGtge, coming to dead halt
beside IIe,
ITO Tara"
"And where do you come FRONT"
From the village of Zalininia."
"Give me 60 kopeks" 40 cents, ''and will
take you to Tara, where l am going myself"
mo, it is too dear; fifty kopeks" Is cents,
'if you like"
Very well; get in, quick"
did so and the horses set off at a tearing
gallop. The road was smooth as polished
floor, the cold singing; in half an hour we
were at Tara. The peasant left me in the
street and drove off. approached the win
dow of the inn, and shouted in loud voice,
after the Russian fashion:
Are there horsesF'
"Where to goT' responded sleepy voice
from the interior.
''To the fair at Irbit."
There are horses"
"a pairF'
eyes, pair"
"How much the verst"
Eight kopeks"
81 cannot give so much six kopeks!"
''Too little-but-you can have them"
In few minutes the horses were ready
and harnesSed to the sledge
'Where do you come from" said the land
lord, as | took my place in the sedge.
"FrOm TOmsk: | am the clerk of the