The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-11

Wnat was wanted OF MIN. WlJnOuJ announcer
word, the woman disappeared.
When reporting this test to his comrades,
Castanos added, with coarse laugh; you
see, was right In believing him TO be Rus
sian, for were he French he would surely
have betrayed himself to woman. Give
him something to eat, saddle his horse and
send him on his way"
Unfortunately for the prisoner, the gen.
erals authority over his volunteer corps was
not absolute; his order was therefore obeyed
only in part. Supper was served, but Lack
insky remained in his cell.
The following morning Castanos, who had
his own reasons for wishing to be fayorably
reported to the Russian government, visited
his prisoner and told him not TO be discour-
aged, adding an assurance that his detention
would soon end. AT the same time, taking
the youth kindly by the hand, he assured
him, with smile, that there was nothing
further to fear.
Though inwardly rejoicing, as he listened
to the encouraging words, Lacklnsky appear
ed to comprehend nothing but the gentle tone
and the friendly pressure of the hand
Later he was led TO a spot where ten French
prisoners of war had just been shot. There,
In the presence OF me CHASTITY, bleeding
Prison was a relief compared with such a
cruel spectacle; yet, in spite of the generals
reassuring remarks. he could not obtain the
repose of which he was by this time sorely in
need. The fate of his companions in arms,
him continually, until sleep overcame him
after several hours of weary watching and
tossing on his hard bed of straw.
AS before, woman gently aroused him
and spoke in the same low tone in French:
Come quickly | will save you; your horse
Is saddled.; everything is ready; follow me
softly, SOFTLY"
The young leutenant's senses were imme-
diately on the alert his suspicion was fully
aroused. and be was not to be taken unawares.
ygQ q col ha f.Afl lvrA -.
German. Il did not understand. Can you
not speak to me in my native tongue?" The
woman Immediately vanished.
On hearing Of this incident Castanos again
spoke in behalf of his prisoner; but the asser-
ton made so confidently by the peasant had
worked upon the minds of the guerrillas to
such degree that they refused to be con-
vinced until they had made one more trial.
II was therefore agreed that Lackinsky
should remain in captivity another night
Five guerrillas entered the vault on the
following morning, uttering furious threats
against the French, accompanied by maledic-
lions on the head of Napoleon. They spoke
In Spanish, of which Lackinsky understood
quite enough to know what they were saying
but he assumed an air of unconcern, and
looked from one to another as though won
derlng what could be the cause of their ex-
citement. After being informed that he was
to have another trial.. he was led
TO the chapel where, ranged along the steps
OF the altar, he beheld a dozen guerrilla
chiefs who had constituted themselves a
council of war. With show of suddenly un-
Outstanding that he was to undergo an ex-
animation. the young lieutenant demanded
an interpreter.
A soldier who spoke German was sent for
and the trial proceeded.
What is the object of your journey from
Madrid to Lisbon?" was the first question.
Being an officer Of the cars guard" an
swered Lackinsky. II have been intrusted
with important dispatches from Baron Stro-
gan0ff to Admiral Siniarin"
ASK him II he is friend of Spain," said
one OF the judges to the interpreter.
indeed amV' replied the Pole. when the
and esteem the Spanish nation, and would be
delighted If they would consent to form an
alliance with my country
Turning toward the council the interpreter
said In French: "The prisoner declares that
he is a Russian, and he adds that his sover
elgn Is firm friend and ally of Napoleon.
He also says that he despises Spain and that
he considers her soldiers band of robbers
and cutthroats who ought to be wiped from
the face of the EARTH"
This was the most terrible ordeal the
young man had yet undergone, but he did
not Detray, by the movement of muscle.
that he understood what was said. He
seemed merely to be wondering what could
SO suddenly have aroused the council, who
watched him narrowly while giving vent to
angry threats. They knew that nothing
would be so likely to put the prisoner off his
guard as the apparent treachery of the in
terpreter.
Comrades said Castanos, who entered
the chapel at the conclusion Of the inter
prefers remarks, ''are you convinced at last
and Will you now permit this dispatch bearer
to proceed?"
The guerrillas answered with one voice.
and so eager were they to make amends for
what they considered their error, that within
one hour Lackinsky's horse, papers and
weapons were restored, and he was far on
the road to Lisbon rejoicing at his escape.