The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-18
/ THE EXILES.
A7RUSSIAN STORY
CHAPTER xIv.-ARREsTED.

the charms attached to YegOr'S watch
chain: the compass with which the latter
had provided himself had been lost during
the burning of the forest, together with the
map of the comparatively unknown districts
to be traversed by the fugitives; but this
map was photographed, so to speak, upor
the exile's brain, in consequence OF the
thorough study he had made of it during the
long hours he had devoted to planning his
escape.
The severe cold necessitated the adoption
of every available means of Drawing the
rigors of the season, at the very commence
ment of the journey.
The nartas went at the average speed OF
eight miles an hour. In the first, driven by
Tekel were Yegor, Nadege, and Ladislas.
The chief of police and M. Lafleur occupied
the second.
An interminable plain presented itself &c
the sight, not with distant prospecting
light was too faint for that-but with such
uniformity in the sheet of whiteness, Oh
which the nartas seemed always to occupy
the centre, that without the patter OF the
hoofs of the reindeer in the snow, without
the scraping sound proGNced by the run
ners Of the sledges, the travellers might
have believed their vehicles mOtionless.
I1GV CrOSSGQ several IIOACH ldhCo. L LII
camp, after the first day, was even estab'
lished on one Of those marshes which remain
eternally frozen beneath the surface, and
which are called trundras.
The second day dawned amid an intense
cold that promised well for the progress OF
the fugitives They resumed their journey,
carefully Stunned some inhabited points
where posts of C0ssackS were located, and
where it would have been difficult to furnish
satisfactory explanation of the object OF
this trip between the Indiguirka and the
Kolima in such rough weather.
Suddenly, a Cossaclf driving very light
little sledge drawn by numerous dogs, shot
by the nartas like an arrow.
This Cossack had dgoll look, with his
lance slung across his back and his fur hood
pulled down over his eyes. One might have
thought him astraddle of an overturned iron
chair and being drawn along, despite him.
self, by dozen dogs.
It was courier despatched by the com.
mander of a post established to the north of
the plain which the fugitives were crossing,
parallel to the Stanoyoi-Grebete chain, in
which rise the Indiguirl1a, the Kolima, and
the OmOlOn rivers.
The Cossacl1, after having passed the two
nartas, turned his team about and started
to oyertalze them; Yegor and NJ. Lafleur
therefore, ordered their drivers to put the
reindeer to the top of their speed.
They had 50 much the air of fight that
the CossaclZ's curiosity was stimulated. He
wished to take nearer look at these travel.
ers who were in such haste and who, Goa.
trary to the custom of the country, Stunned
speaking with the people whom good luck
threw i'll their way.
In less than five minutes he rejoined the
nartas, and Yegor and his companions were
forced to stop and enter into conversation
with him.
81 wish you safe journey, Messieurs,'
said the CossaclI. "And here is a piece OF
advice for you-go little to the left, if yor
would not miss the ostrog of Verkne-Ko
limsk"
The OstrOg was the post from whence the
Cossack had been despatched.
''.They are not going to the ostrog," said
Ycrmac.
''Where are they going, then?" asked the
Csssack, more puzzled than ever, for he
could not understand how they could dis
dain making halt at this post, deemed 6
precious refuge by those obliged to cross
these vast solitudes. care your passports ir
proper shape!" demanded he of Yegor, who
having quilted his sledge, had advanced te
talk with him.
''Our passports are in proper shape" an
swered the young man. eff you were
charged with verifying them, would show
them to you with pleasure. But what good
would that do, since you are only an ignor
ant fellow?"
''Not so ignorant, after all! [ am cOur
Ter to the neighboring posts the bearer OF
information relative to some vernaks es-
capped from YakOutsk! There are-(and
the Cossack counted the travelers)-there
are four of them Che, however, saw five per.
sons), and you answer so well to The de-
scriptions that [ shall be compelled to ask
you to go pay your respects to our EsaouIe!
The Cossack thought, perhaps, that he
had made fine capture, He had no com.
junction or false sensibility about the mat
ter, for the contempt for exiles is so great
that the natives repeat this popular saying
BY killing a squirrel one gets only one skin.
but by killing a vernak one gets three-the
mans coat, shirt and hide!
Yermac was about to speak, but the Paris.
ian was too quick for him.
''We do not refuse said he, to the Cos.
sack; ''and, if you will lead the way, we
will follow you willingly. For my part, ]
should greatly relish something warm to
eat. Do they cook well at the ostrog? I dc
not believe that my companions would have
anything to say against some good pemmi.
can (extract of meat broth and a venlson
pate"
NJ. L9feur said this in pleasant tone, at
the same time endeavoring to make Yegor
comprehend by signs that it was impossible
to get clear of the plain invitation of the
Cossack
Yegor then resumed his place, first ques-
tioning, with a look the countenance of the
chief of police. The latter seemed absorbed
in deep meditation, the subject of which
the exile OWNED. Had Yermac not been
present Yegor certainly would have given
the Cossack some trouble. But an attempt
of that kind, with the chief of police against
him, could not have been made without run.
ming the greatest risks.
Nadege was much alarmed at the inter.
vention of this soldier and Ladislas already
had tears in his ewes. Yegor reaSsured them