The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04

'sI thank you, Messieurs, said Yermac,
getting upon his feet II am in better con-
dition than I thought. So we are quits,
Monsieur Semenoff. Now, you can no
longer deny that you are in full fight,
you and she whom you call your bctrothed,
as well as her brother! I arrest you all
three!n
Yegor made movement, Nadege grew
pale, and little Ladislas burst into tears;
but M. Laf1eur said, with a sheer:
ssYou are joking, my poor Yermac! Why,
you can scarcely stand, you are alone,
wounded, and far from all help-yet you
talk as if you had a squad of Cossacks at
your bacll DON'T get angry; we shall quiet
Iy proceed on our Way-and if you are not
satisfied, another time we will let the
bears Of Siberia devour the agente of au-
thority."
''You have strength on your side, Mes
sieurs, but represent the law" said the
chief of police, with dignity.
Con the faith Of q Partisan, what singuF
lar pretension I" cried M Lafeur.
Strength should remain with the law, re-
sumed Yermac.
''Well, if you have the strength, show it =
Yegor interposed:
''Do you know why you have not the
strength, Yermac? Because your demand
is not founded on justice. You have before
you innocent victims-I pass over the tragic
incidents of your pursuit. We are martyrs
of oppression, and you cannot make the
least impression on us by appealing to our
consciences; that is why you are weak, with
out prestige and really disarmed."
eve shall see, Messieurs. You are going
towards the east I shall return towards
the west. May each one Of us keep his con-
fdence"
M. Lafeur made sign to Yegor. They
consulted together hastily, while Yermac
was looking at the roads, uncertain as tc
the direction he ought to take.
''You are in our power" said Yegor, to
him.
''There are several of you and am alone
The game is not equal. I submit, answered
Yermac, whose visage, impenetrable as
granite, betrayed not the least emotion
''Your submission is not enough for u.s.
said Yegor. eve may meet patrols, or
stumble on some post Of CossacEs. What
would you do in that case?"
my duty"
''You would denounce us?"
eyes"
Yegor was silent for an instant, admirine
the chiefs firmness and courage, and think
ing how he could secure his silence without
staining himself with q crime.
eve could cause your death" said he, at
length, Shy fastening you to tree; you
would be devoured by the bears. But
wish you no harm. You have done your
duty Free, you were an obstacle in our
path-that is why we wished to suppress
you. Now that you are in our hands, now
that fate has made you our prisoner, will
you give US your word that you will not seek
to escape from us?"
EMO"
What q strange nature was that of Yer
mac, who discharged his policeman's func
lions without the least passion, with the
absence Of every interest. Duty and law!-
these two words summed up for him life,
the world and society. His conscience
pure, sincere, just and free from every Sc
cret end, had made him an austere, impassi
BILE and impenetrable man. lie looked his
adversaries in the face as the lion looks at
its foes. Disguised at hiding himself, at
crouching in a corner to await the passage
of his prey and hurl himself upon it unex
-pectedly, he acted openly, Loyalty, even
with those who were in insurrection against
the law.
monsieur, the chief of police Of Yak
outsk," said M LaAeur, 1--WE cannot see
things in the same light as you; you will re-
main with us, if you please, until we Judge
you retreat Indifferent to our safety; you
are our prisoner!"
"But am wounded!"
'tAnother reason for remaining with u.s.
T oil Oh
'eYou!-a dancing-master!- ia maker of
womens hats "a manufacturer of cham
pagnew
IT began life as an herbalist, Monsieur
But have you no weapons?"
II had gun and pistols, :" said the chief of
police, looking in the direction of the field
of strife,
AS he finished speaking, Ladislas advanc-
ed, bearing slung across his back the very
gun and showing in his belt the very pistols
in question.
"Keep those arms, my child" said M. LAT
leur to him.
$50 you disarm me. However, my safety
demands"
eve will protect you Monsieur~ said the
dancingmaster.
IA moment will come, Monsieur Yermac, :
added Yegor, when I will return to you
even the governor generals gun, begging
you to restore it to him with my compli-
ments Well, Nessieurs, suppose we pitch
our tents and prepare our camp for the
night"
Meanwhile, the evening had arrived, and,
In the distance, the last fires of the con-
sumed forest were dying out.
10 be continued.)