San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-14
THE EXILES.
RUSSIAN STORY.

Grou Ieet. Iaey passed along the cages OF
deep abysses,
They pushed slowly through gloomy de-
file in which the wind ragged. On emerging
from it. M. Lafeur advised Yegor to put the
cart in an elbow formed by the rocks, which
would enable Nadege and little Ladislas to
rest for few instants sheltered from the
blast and to gather a fresh supply Of
strength. This advice was adopted and the
party halted. The horses were tied to huge
trees.
While the young girl and her brother took
some provisions from the sacks, Yegor, M.
Lafeur, and the Yakoute Tekel scaled the
sides Of the mountain to make observations.
Stones loosened by their feet rolled down
behind them.
They reached a narrow platform which
the whistling wind swept over. Behind
them, the side Of the mountain inclined
menacingly. Thick clouds floated above
their heads and a torrent, the noise Of which
was brought to them at intervals by the
blast, roared near at hand.
From this eliminating point, they saw, as
it were behind a suddenly raised curtain,
the imposing chain of mountains stretching
IS far as the eye could reach, its axis run
uing towards its frozen pole, amid vast soil
tudes that could readily be imagined. 1t
was as if the gigantic waves of an ocean
dashed by tempest had been suddenly
petriied and the vertigo of troubled
gaze had all at once put them again in mo-
ton.
The aspect Of these massive portions Of
tremendous frame, black with northern
trees, with their lofty submits loaded down
with snow, their crystal glaciers packed be-
tween high slopes, their sombre defiles
often torn by the lightning, and their steep,
inaccessible walls-all this saddened the
| heart, froze the senses and troubled the
mind.
And beneath the dark sky stretching to
| nfinity, the parallel chains and their lateral
| extensions with their few grassy plains, the
| Qualifications of desolate valleys dimly seen
| through narrow gorges, the unfathomable
| ravines, the gaps from which assembled in
oluish vapor the foam of waterfalls, the i'm
measurable circular basins, the blanched
elevations and the sharp peaks.
The spot was lugubrious, desolate and
sad-more than sad-sinister. 1t seemed
chosen for the accomplishment of crime.
Suddenly, from this post of observation,
The Yakoute discovered upon the western
| side of the mountain over which the travel
| srs had passed, a man on horseback, ad-
| yancing with difficulty and struggling obsti-
| lately against the wind which poured fur
ously from the ravine. He described him
o the two Europeans.
"Mon Dieu!" cried NJ. Lafeur. 1T is the
:hief of policew
| 'sThank heavenl" Yegor could not he<
excl3iming, for he felt himself released
| from heavy load.
Thank heayenl eh2 That's very charit.
| able |" muttered NJ. Lafleur. But he is GO
| ing straight towards Mile. Davidoff. Per.
haps, he has even seen US. What does the
man want2"
ALAS the wretch has not been touched
by our adversely; he feels no pity for our
misery!" murmured Yegor. He wants
| my life and those of the poor children
am striving to save from oppression and in.
| famy!"
The chief of police was constrained by the
force of the wind to continue his journey on
foot. He drew his gray horse along by the
bride.
"What are you going to do, my poor
friendl" asked the Partisan.
What would you do in my place" said
the young man, full of the strongest anxi-
| ETY..
NJ Lafleur seemed to have made decis.
ion,
Ma foi!n said he, in o tone void of all
hesitation, 81 should not make two bites Of
the cherry. should say: Since this mad
man persists in trying to undo me-since one
| or the other of us must perish-let him be
the victim!"
But 1 suffered so much, NJ. Lafeur,
when believed had killed him!"
Another reason-he is your debtori"
While speaking, the dancing master made
sign to Tekel. He pointed out to him an
enormous mass Of rock suspended on the
verge of the platform; a vigorous shake
could easily detach it and hurl it down.
The Yakoute Immediately comprehended
that an enemy was to be got rid of. The
man and the horse would pass over the
very spot threatened with the fall of the
rock.
'Ohl you will not do thati" cried Yegor,
guessing the Parisian's intention.
~ certainly will not do tiff 1 have not
sufficient strength-but will do it, if can
obtain the aid of Tekel's strength and yours
which you will not refuse, Yegor"
"Ah! to what extremity do you wish to
reduce me9"
do you prefer the knoutl" said NJ. Laf.
leur.
And he used as lever his long ascension
pole.
For his part, the Yakoute, bending over
outside by removing the fragments which