The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

throw hdfOOI OH Tue tfldi, I've BdNo Oul tudl ITO
was going to return TO Fort Yukon by the usual
route, bur after one days march he divided his
escort into two parties insiructing one 10 follow
the usual trail. while he. accompanied by the In
dams, who were armed, struck into another path.
Brave as they were experienced, the Russian
traveller and his faithful Ivan neither trenbled
at thought of an encounter with the terrible
harnol, nor yet neglected any precauilon which
might give that desperate an advantage over
them. BY day their march was conducted with
such skill aud vigilance AS TO render surprise
impossible while their biyOuacs were made IN
localities chosen with all the knowledge OF the
trained soldier, such as Wassiliowitch was.
AS the little party made ready 10 pass their
last night in The wilderness. Count Sergius began
TO congratulate himself upon having outwrted
karnof The Terrible, the SeouTge OF The
Yukon" as he was often called. But Ivan shook
his head as he took up his car0lne and made
ready TO go on guard.
Thou shalt not watch again tonight lVan,'
said Count Sergius, deliberately; "iet me take
thy place. l had a good sleep last night linen
again, think we shall reach Fort Y ukon WIN
out falling in with brother harnot"
Ivan would not listen 10 his masters remon-
STRANGE and soon disappeared among the gigantic
pines, his pistol in his belt and his carblne rest
Wassiliowitch had stretched himself upon
bed Of pine TUFTS, but for meditation rather than
sleep. HIS thoughts were busy with hayette's
dark eyes ana voice of velvety sOftness. This
delightful child OF nature had glided luto Count
SergiuS' heart so gertly aud so mysteriously that
she was there before he had time 10 ask himself
whether he ought to let her III OF not.
A low whistle, thrice repeated, suddenly
reached his ear. 1t was pTeconceIted signal Of
danger from Ivan. In an instant Count Sergtus
aroused the sleeping Indians by vigorous kicks,
right and LETT, and every man sprang behind
tree 10 silence. Ivan fitted from pine 10 pine
until he stood beside his master.
" How many" whispered Sergins.
" About our number"
" Have they discovered usY
81 think not" was VANS answer.
In lew hurried whispers Count SeTglus now
Instructed his men TO hold their fire until he
should command. intending, so long as karnof
and his band Kept themselves at long range 10
waste no shots upon them.
The outlaw was not slow In discovering that he
had come upon foe as wary as lie was brave,
for neither SergiuS nor Ivan permitted their fife
10 be drawn by the display OF caps upon sticks or
coats held out from behind the pine trees. In
spite OF The warnings uttered by their leader
easily audible by the RuSsans-twO OF KarnoP5
men now attempted TO dart across a clearing,
and thus secure nearer position TO the enemy.
The sharp crack OF the two caibines leyeled by
Sergus and Ivan, both skilled markSmen,
echoed through the forest One OF the men fell
to the ground like stone; the other staggered
back 10 the shelter OF the pines. karnoI was
maddened by the sight and uttered threats OF
fearful vengeance.
Could Count SeIgius have continued to hold
his II Sic band in the same state OF perfect ODE
dience all would have been WE'LL but at this mo
ment one of the indians incautiousy exposed
himself aud a bali from KarnoPs rife stretched
him dead on the ground. but not until lie had
uttered a Wild shrek OF terror.
The outlaw knew only TOO well that the sight
OF their dead companion would so drmoraliZe the
Indians as 10 necu uut one Oh his QtIDOnldC yeilS
TO put them 10 flight. He was not slow in CIV
Ing II.
the natives abandoned The Russians to their
fate. The outlaw and his halI-dozen men
dashed brayely forward: Two of them again
caught the hire OF The Russian marksmen and
pitched heavily TO the ground.
Not nifty feet now separated Count Sergius
from the escaped convict OF the Siberian mines.
Ii was one of those conflicts so deadly as TO call
for words. Ii meant death for neatly every
very b ST. A barshy bTeathed "Ah -
told Sergius that his faithful Ivan had been
struck, but the brave man, although lie dropped
his caIbiue, drew pistol and laid hts rash as
sailant dead at his feet. Hopeless as the con
test now seemed, neither Count Sergus Ivan
seemed 10 have thought Of crying out Tor
mercy.
Surrender, brave Wassiliowitch," roared The
outlaw; 1--WE want your money, mo- your lives"
But Count SeTgius lett lnstinctiyely that the
sight of his Slain Comrades would madden
KarnoT TO desperation. y glance at Ivan showed
his master that Tie brave mans right arm was
broken. For an instant aSsORitcl'S heart
frightened, but tie mad cileS of The desperadOes
now asSaed his ears. One of them went down
before his still steady ann, but The next moment
tie brave Ivan staggered back and fell with
grOan al his feet
Karuof had leveled a pistol at the Russians
breast when tall 1.-The, graceful form flashed
before The outlaw and lie felt his arm pushed
aside.
Fire and Kayette's curse viii be upon thee ~
cried the Indian maiden.
With wave OF his hand karnoi held his men
in check.
LET Kayeite be obeyed," he growled i'm i'll
concealed rage, then tuning 10 the gill lie
added: I'VE only want their money, kayelte;
but The Russian deserves death III our hands Tor
his stubborn resistance"
Taking up her stand beside Count Sergius Ka-
yelte watched the desperadOes In silence as they
stripped tue dead and the living of their store of
gold.
"Brother Wassiliow,ch, you're a brave man."
muttered the rObber chief. but dead men tell no
tales" and the outlaws dagger CLEANED In the
air.
In spite OF the animal-lIke quickness with
which the Indian maiden threw herself upon
harnOf, the blade struck The Russians breast
and he sank TO the ground breathing heavily.
Monster Beast Villain % shrieked the
girl as she advanced upon the outlaw with
wildly flashing eyes.
'iSilence, Kayette This is no place for you;
come with Us !" crizd karnof, laying hold OF her
arm.
The next instant a rife shot rang out from
close at hand
"The guard the guard 7" whispered harnoIs
men, as they darled out OF sight, followed by
their leader.
kayette turned, and throwing herself upon her
knees, lifted the wounded mans head IN her
arms, and made the forest ring with cries for
help
a man of about so, broad-shouldered and
athletic in build, followed by several younger
ones, all clad IN trappers' eaIb was soon by lie
IN Tie French language 10 Count Sergius, who
could only whisper a response.
"OuT house on wheels Is bur short distance
from here" said the stalwarI Frenchman IN a
deep and sympathetic voice. "Once there we
may be able to save your life" and with these
words he made a motion to the young men 10
help him Lift the wounded man.