Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-02
CHAPTER XyI.-A STRATAGEM.

On the day succeeding this perilous ad-
venture, might have been seen in one of
those yourtes, styled yourtes of refuge,
erected at intervals upon the roads of ST.
beria-the Cars highway, this time, fol-
lowed for entire day-a joyous COM
pany established around huge. BRIGHT fire
The smoke escaped from the YOurt1 through
an opening in the centre of the conical roof
Out-of-dOors, dogs were cured up beside
two nartaS, well embedded III the snow to
keep warm, their tails folded on their muz-
zles us long IS the muzzle of o wolf
Two horses tied to a post were devouring
a slim ration of feed.
In kettle, placed over the fire of the
yourte, the food for the dogs was being
cooked.
The merry-mal1er in chief of the company
was M. L2fieur-the inexhaustible M. Laf-
leur He ii was who, after having done the
cooking and laid the cloth-fguratively
speahing-had urged each person to partici-
patio in an excellent repast placed upon a
fat stone serving as a table and of which a
quarter Of wild mutton, admirably roasted,
formed the principal dish.
The foreseeing Partisan had provided with
himself this abundant aud savory meat on
quitting the ostrog, which had come so near
being the end of the fugitive's journey.
Huge slices Of smoked salmon had already
made their appearance before the mutton,
aud this salmon had but one defect, that
of producing tremendous thirst. OF this
defect the fugitives were about to make use
The guests egor, Nadege, and Yermac
seated on the ground had the place of hon
OF; chem came the two Cossaclzs, who had
magnificent appetites, and finally, NJ Laf-
leur the little Pole and, modestly keeping
somewhat in the background. the faithful
Yakoutes Tebel and Chort.
There was no limit, that ey> nj 2, to the
liOerality Of M. Lafeur, who uncorzed with
out regret q third bottle of brandy, prodi-
gaLty concerted. for that matter, with Yegor
Scmonoff. There must have been powerful
reasons for treating the two Cossacks well
to warrant making such large breach in
the supply Of provisions brought from Zach
ivorsk by Tel1cl. Did they wish to make
frien is of them?-tO detach them at need
from Yermac!-to bargain with them? All
that would seem hazardous difficult, and
even extremely perilous.
Negor, aided by NJ Lafeur, was working
to attain a simpler and surer end-to intoxi-
cate the two CossacES and get rid of them by
leaving them behind
ct has been many day, if we except
yesterday at the ostrog," said NJ. Lafeur,
''since we have had such a substantial re-
past. Unfortunately, this sailed fish has
made me precious thirsty-and the others
also!"
And he poured out fresh bumper for
each of the two Coss lcks, who smiled
spontaneously, displaying their white
teeth. They seemed to protest by their air
against the words of their generous cup
bearer
Well" said NJ. Lafleur, Il see you like
sailed and smoked salmon" He added sd-
dressing one of the Cossaclls: What is
your name contradict"
''Nicolai," answered the man.
And yours?" said he to the other.
mine! Ardalion."
''Weu, Nicolai ana Ardalion, I have an
idea. 1t is that you prefer vodki to salmon.
This was so much in accordance with the
Cossacks thoughts that they burst out
laughing. When their cultural hi his hao
somewhat abated, Yermac, VINO had grown
uneasy and had ceased to eat, spoke to the
dancing master.
Monsieur Lafeur, you are giving THESE
men too much to drink" observed he.
All l know it very WE'LL" answered the
Partisan. 1.-THE rascals are making famous
hole in our supplies"
Happily" said Yegor, 1--WE are not very
far from our destination"
Hermac cast upon Yegor a severe lool
which was almost equivalent to giving hin
the lie. Yegor understood it thus and turn
ed away his eyes.
II tell you that you are giving them too
much to drink" resumed the chief of police
''And really. Monsieur-Toumanoff," addet
he with emphasis, when one is charged
with conducting well brought up youns
person like Mademoselle, one should b.
careful to keep from her people who's
words"
''Oh" said Nadege. 81 have neither tn
right nor the leisure to be very particular. u
"He wishes to stop US from drinking, tina
fellow" said one of the Cossaclzs, pushin
his companions elbow.
AT the very moment we are being re
called " said the other What can the Pc
ish priest be thinking of"
"a dominican of Samogitia," murrlure
M. Lafeur in the ear of the Cossack VIII
tad first spoken.