Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-05

ment he made every effort to make up for
the time already lost, and drove with light
ming speed. But was not satisfied. What
fugitive ever is soi A horrible thought
haunted me- l remembered the fate of our
poor Col. WysoclSi, who, after having been
delayed for night in the forest by his guide,
was delivered in the morning to the gen.
darmes. Was | to be so treateda and
grasped my poniard. Vain fears unjust
suspicious! My peasant drove me to an inn,
where 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,
was, while drinking tea in q crowded cabaret,
robbed of forty rubles in paper about eighty
francs and of the envelope in which they
were contained which, alas! also contained
list of the villages through which had to
pass on my journey to Archangel, and also
my passport.
One thing sustained me in the face of this
terrible loss, and that was the utter impossi-
oility OF doing anything but go on. l con-
tinued my journey, therefore, and on the
third day OF my flight found myself at the
gates of Irbit, and thousand kilometers
from observation-disclosures. Halt! and show
your passport" exclaimed the guard at the
NAoJ save tltt, De duueu III
a whisper, Give me ten kopeks, and be off
with YOU
l FASTENED TO comply with his demand,
| and soon after found myself in a crowded
inn of the poorest class and among a swarm
of peasants from all parts of Siberia. an
nounced that l had left my passport with
the authorities, and the next morning after
breakfast slipped out, avowedly TO get II
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 l could no longer
proceed in sledges 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 tc
time munchiug the frozen bread and dried
fish which carried i'll my bag, and quench-
ing my thirst at the holes cut by the peasants
In the ice for the purpose of watering their
cattle. When night began to draw in re-
solved 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 heart OF a forest, provided AWAY.
that one knows how to prepare an Ostiak
iurrow. This is done by following a sort of
horizontal cave in the snow Into this the
Ostiaks creep, and after piling up the snow
at the entrance of the burrow, so as to ex-
clude the cold air, they lie down and sleep in
perfect security and warmth succeeded per.
fectly in preparing my Ostiak led, but 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 l awoke at davbreak
with my feet almost frozen, and had to rise
and begin my journey at once. 1t was a ter
rible 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 l toiled on. The short day was closing
in when l had to confess to myself that |
must rest or die. Fortunately was near a
small solitary hut, and l knocked at the door.
1t was ut once opened by young woman,
who motioned me TO enter. l saluted her
and her mother in the Russian fashion and
in reply TO the usual inquiry where l was
going, and ''where the good God was leading
me-" answered that was a workman from
the government of Tobolsk, and was going
north to the iron foundries of Bohotsk. The
woman gave ME hot supper, and had the
infinite relief of being able to take off and
dry my clothes. l then stretched myself on
| a bench and fell asleep, with an indescrib-
| able sensation of relief and contentment. /
thought that l had neglected no precaution,
nevertheless the women began to suspect me.
| had four shirts-too great luxury for a
Siberian. l was sinking into deep sleep
when was awakened by a rude grasp on
my shoulder. and saw myself surrounded by
four peasants, who demanded my passport.
And what right have you to demand my
passport" | exclaimed, i'll feigned anger. lis
| one of you government ofiicerF'
"None OF us, it is true, but we are at home. "
'ls that true9' l asked, turning to the old
peasant woman.
"Yes; they are from this village
"Well, then" l replied II will tell Won
that my name is Lavrenti Kouzmine, from
the government of Tobolsk, and that am
| going to Bohotsk to seek work.
Forgive us, little father, responded the
peasants. I'VE are excusable, you see, for
there are often escaped convicts about"
The rest OF the night passed comfortably
and quietly, but the next morning break
tasted and babe farewell to the women, with
the melancholy certainty of passing my
| nights in future in the heart of the forest.
| The demand for passport had shown NE
| how dangerous it vas for me to frequent the
| naunts of men. For many night after.
| ward, therefore, the Ostiak burrow was my
| sole refuge, and / became so accustomed to il
that at close of day l entered the forest as il
it were well known hostelry.
| From the 18th or 10th of February to the
first week in April l journeyed northward
on.y thrice venturing to seek shelter in @
| house. i suffered much. The absence of al
civilized comforts, and especially of hot food
a privation more difficult to bear than any
other on such long, cold journey, almost
brought me TO the grave. Then, too, had
constantly to struggle against that DISPOSE
tion to sleep which is death in such a case ai
mine.
1t was at Paouda, high up in the Oural
| mountains, that l slept in a house for the
second time after leaving Irbit. was pass
ing late at night through village, when q
voice from one of the izbas (huts) called out
who goes thereF'
"a traveller"
"Are you going far"
"Oh, very far"
"Well, if you choose, come in and sleep in
| our house"
MAY the good God reward your ex
claimed as l entered the door But shall
not be a trouble to your
"How should you trouble usl We are no,
yet in bed Come in'
My two good, kind hosts--an old peasant
and his wife-gave me a meager supper,
| which was to me feast In the morning
oreakfasted with them, and for my food and
bed they refused any recompense. AS pre-
pared to leave them the old man said: "a
little beyond Paoudo you will find a corps de
garde, who will look ut your papers and give
you all information about your journey"