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


the lateral extensions of the chain of noun
tains; the thick forest which covered ii
and was at least six or seven miles long
made it like the centre of an impregnable
fortress.
Yegor, who had profited by short halt to
explore the spot and study its position in
the double point of view Of fight and de-
fence, held council and expressed the
opinion that the place was suitable one
In which to await the winter, the speedy
arrival of which was announced in various
ways.
While they were encamped in the forest,
the Yakoute Tekel could go on foot TO Zach
iversk, little town situated on the right
bank Of the Indiguirka, to procure two
siedges drawn by reindeer. These sledges
were indispensable to continue the journey
In winter, over the marshes and rivers lev
eled by the snow which falls in abundance
In these regions.
Tekel would bring back with him second
sledge driver and the party would start i'm
mediately for the country of the Tchouht-
CHS, nominally under the control of Russia,
from where it would be possible to reach the
Gulf Of Anadyr in the spring.
that an opportunity for him to return t
Yakoutsk might present itself. Yermao
dead, from whence could trouble arise
for him! There had been only one witness
of his complicity-the chief Of police him.
self!
The trees of the forest Of Ostrovoye were
too close together to permit the cart to b.
taken with them. But they could not aban.
don it. Yegor, aided by Tekel, demolished
it, and the provisions as well as the baggage
were carried to the place selected for the
encampment. The horses were loaded with
the coverings and tents and led with much
difficulty into the midst Of the forest, where
the trunks of the pines and larches formed
kind of palisade.
When the fugitives believed themselves
in security, they remembered that they had
not eaten since the previous day. They
were dying with hunger, having walked all
night.
The Yakoute cut some dry branches and
kindled fire, over which was prepared
solid repast, thanks to the provisions brought
from Yakoutsk in the cart Then, withou,
loss of time, the encampmeut was begun.
Yegor, armed with his Ratchet, commenced
to plant the stakes for Nadege's cabin
Little Ladislas brought branches, and Yegor
interlaced them and strengthened the walls
with earth and turf, after the fashion of the
Yakoute yourtes. M. Lafeur, always gal
liant, arranged quantity of skins to serve
as beds for Nadege and Ladislas.
Yegor and NJ. Laf1eur built hut for
themselves in common, under a colossal
larch, which stretched out its thick boughs
like protecting roof
The next day, at dawn, Yegor gave his
instructions to the Yakoute, together with
small bundle of paper roubles, which he had
carefully kept in reserve, ever since his de.
parture from Kieff, hidden in the lining OF
his boots.
Tekel departed for Zachiversk bearing
with him all the hopes of the fugitives. On
his return depended the success of the es
cape which had already presented so many
difficulties.
Yegor accompanied the native as far as
the border of the torrent, which had hol.
lowed out for itself, at the extremity Of the
valley, tortuous bed through the thicketS
thorns, and stones. He made with his
Ratchet which he now constantly carried
together with his carabine and two revol-
yers, few notches on the poplars on the
verge of the stream.
'They will enable YOU" said he to the
native, Ito tell where you are. The torrent
will be frozen in two weeks. Call out and
we will answer"
In two weeks shall be back" said Te-
KEEL, and, crossing the torrent by leaping
from stone to stone, he waved his hand to
Yegor in token of farewell and vanished In
the forest.
The exile returned towards the camp; his
dog preceded him, running among the bushes
and joyously wagging IDS tail.
Suddenly the animal stopped, as II it had
seen or heard something.
Yegor stopped also, and, grasping his
Ratchet in both hands, stood motionless.
Around him nothing stirred there was not
q sound, not even the cry Of bird.
The dog disappeared in a tangled thicket;
Il soon returned, barking as if to summon
help, and, by its agitation and excited
movements, seemed to invite its master to
follow it.
The latter penetrated into vast labyrinth
of briars which, in spots, obstructed. invad
ed and filled the forest. More than once he
was obliged to get down on the ground and
crawl like wild beast, in order to pass be-
meath the myrtle bushes with tart berries
which formed arches of dark verdure, inter
lacing and twisting their branches.
He reached place where thin and flexible
reeds resembling huge arrows betrayed the
presence Of a pond or stream,
1t was pool fed by hidden spring, In
which grew an abundance Of aquatic grass
and plants.
u,bo 5oc, OF opa bound cnran0 hehind n