San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-08
THE EXILES.
RUSSIAN STORY.
CHAPTER THE INSULT IN THE MINE.

1t is terrible augmentation of punish
ment for exiles in Siberia to be sent to the
mines of Nertehinsk H.
On cold October morning, several years
ago, a small vehicle deposited q young Rus
sian about twenty-five in front Of the wood
en- house of the inspector of one of these
mines-that of Oukboul.
The condemned man. who was pale and
weak, seemed worn out by the journey from
Kieff to Nertchinsk, which had been made,
without stopping, in an open kibitka. For
more than two months, he had worn outside
of his boots the iron rings of his chain rivet-
ed to his ankles. U#
The gendarme in blue blouse and brass
helmet, who had accompanied him, entered
the inspectors Office to deliver into his
hands the papers concerning the exile con-
fided to his care.
On the threshold he ran against and was
almost overthrown by demonstrating
man with swollen face, who came out with
his hands tied behind his back, and was with
great difficulty managed by the gendarme
in charge Of him.
He was convict who had attempted to
escape from the shipyards of Okhotsk, and
had been brought long distance to be i'm
prisoned in the mysterious fortress Of Aka
touia, situated on the outskirts of Merit
chinsk. The very name Of this fortress in
spires unspeakable terror throughout all
Siberia. The wretched being had effaced
with sulphuric acid the word vor (thief)
which had been branded upon his forehead
and cheeks.
II am thirsty" cried he, in a choking
voice. "Give me drink, somebody! l am
dying of fever!"
The gendarme paid no attention to his
words, but fastened him to the heavy wheel
of cart under the shed belonging to the in
spector's house.
From the interior Of the mansion escaped
the sharp sounds of a little violin upon which
some one was gayly playing the Belle He
lene" quadrille. A lively voice was giving
out the figures and movements to the dan
GERS, whose resounding steps were accom-
panied with fresh and youthful laughter.
ga drop of understanding to drink !"
yelled the convict kneeling in the mud and
rolling his wicked eyes, while his mouth
foamed with rage.
The new conner turned away from this re-
pulsive spectacle, and surveyed the spot
where he was to undergo his punishment.
Before him were scattered hundred cab
ms and yourtes, shelters of the toilers of
the mine, above which rose here and there
wooden edifces tenanted by the clerks, the
captain, the priest, and the physician. He
also saw the barracks of the guards, the
chapel and the. hospital. Everything had
the most miserable aspect.
Beyond, bounding the perspective, were
the Sablono Mountains, whose snowy sum-
70 thn fo,
the eye could reach.
In a ravine breach in the perpendicular
walls rising to height of more than two
Thousand feet, was the shaft of the mine.
Upon the blood red rock, the cold had al
ready CONCEALED the water produced by the
melting of the snow, and the hydraulic
wheel, which liquid sheet set in motion in
| the summer, was still, rising huge and black
like an instrument of punishment
The icy wind from the ravine brought with
it sharp needles of frost which pricked the
eXiles face.
He lifted towards heaven a look of sad
resignation, but quick as lightning youth
and right asserted themselves; his black
eyes flashed and his body Strengthened with
a movement of pride, which ennobled the
convict's gray cloak and the hideous little
hat which concealed the absence of the
brown locks shorn off by the prison scissors.
He scanned the horizon as if searching for
some way of escape.
At this moment, the bound convict gave
vent to a series of hollow bowls. The music
| ceased. Two young girls thrust their taxen
heads curiOusly out of the half-open door,
and their dancing master, gently putting
them aside, emerged, holding his little pOck-
ct violin in his hand.
He WAS over folty. His bearing was de-
cidc3 ana rs air ,oyial, but there was some.
thing Of tie Gre ,~Un III his appearance.
He looked l.-,r .,......u native nor Sla-
woman.
He approached the convict and asked
him in bad Russian, but in a tone of inter.
est, what he was complaining about so Bit
terly.
These dogs are allowing me to be con-
sumed with thirstr' cried the wretch. at
is like red-hot iron in there !" added he, open
ing to its full extent mouth, the lips Of
which were disfigured by the corrosive &C
ton of sulphuric acid.
The man of the violin had an inspiration.
He drew small empty flask from his fur
trimmed vest and returned to his pupils to
ask them to fill it with water. Then, he
once more made his way to the convict and
poured the contents of the flask drop by
drop, into his burning and swollen mouth.
The sufferer assumed the look of a CRATE
full animal.
'Thank you'll" said he.
"You allowed yourself to be recaptured
eh!" said the man of the violin. did you
not know what awaited youl"
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