Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-04
N hear but seals on the rocks of Diomeds


see them now. The rocks are alive with them.
Thousands upon ten thousands Will they not
swarm down upon US and do us some INJURY!
Possibly. my dear Miss Virginie," replied
Col. Rivers, lit were better for you to retire
70 the studio. We may observe the strange
sight Of these thickly inhabited cliffs from the
balcony. At times the patriarchs Of the herd
are inclined to dispute mans passage through
their dominions," and taking virginie's hand
the gallant colonel led her back to the little
upon the balcony.
The moment the cliffs had been reached a
halt was made and the driver began his pre-
parations to shelter his horses and provide
them with provender. The travellers had no
sooner drawn up under the sheltering cliffs Of
Diomede Isle than the omincus cracking
sounds became louder and louder until they
burst upon the car like the discharge of fire.
arms; but although the vast ice fields threat
ened every moment 10 so to pieces still the
final catastrophe was slow in arriving that
the party took heart again.
Meantime Col Rivers and the beautiful Viz
ginie, stationed upon the balcony of the studio,
were busily engaged in watching the wat
herds of seals each under the guidance Of its
patriarch. At times they would surge down
IN the direction of the travellers and stare with
their large. soft and almost human ewes upon
the strangers encamped upon their territory
Now and then one more adventurous than the
others would draw near to sniff the Cossack
ponies and invariably catch the flavor of their
heels for his curiosity.
But Col. Rivers was taking only a slight in
terest IN the seals and their movements save
ill SO far as they justified his lingering by Vir-
ginie's side. The long-wished-for moment had
apparently arrived. The swirling and eddyinR
snow fakes and the hoarse barking of the seals
were hardly tit accompaniment Tor a tender
declaration of love. Aud yet such another
hooved him to bestir himself now, for a live
Russian prince was most dangerous rival
even for an American colonel.
just at that moment patriarch seal of
colossal size made a mad plunge toward the
Cossnck ponies, scattering their provender and
causing their driver to make free use Of his
club to drive the intruder back. With an IN
voluntary scream Virginie threw herself back
into the coloners arms. He clasped the fair
maiden even more tightly than seemed Alto
gether called for, and as she in her sudden
alarm forgot to disengage herself from his
arms he deemed the moment heaven-favored
one and acted accordingly.
.'My dear Miss Virginie, have long"
That was one OF the larges: seals ever
saw! cried some one at the colonels elbow. 1t
was Pechkoff.
''Iho Russian police will get that man yetr'
grumbled Rivers TO himself as he withdrew his
arm from Eirgnie's waist.
supper was announced by Madame
Girard. and in spite Of the cracking of the dis
tant ice fields, the barking of the seals and the
moaning of the winds. the little circle of
friends was animated with a delightful spirit of
mirth and gayety. Cesar Girard called upon
Prince Narkine to relate the story of his escape
from the mines of Siberia. and SO deeply
touched did Virginie seem to be by this tale Of
sorrow and suffering that the gallant colonel
became very FESTIVE and his vivid Imagination
saw another Othello In this mysterious person
age so noble in bearing and 80 sympathetic in
voice.
Rivers deemed himself called upon to make
counter demonstration, and as he was the
owner OF full and resonant barytone voice, he
proposed music. Virginie had learned many
OF the popular songs of the day during her
residence in the United States, and in u few
moments their voices were blended in most
pleasing harmony.
Prince Louk Loukitch Narkine and COL Scion
Rivers, late of the United States army, in their
condolences OF later days discovered that at that
moment, as the beautiful French girl sat in
front of them drumming her guitar, each was
meditatlng how he might abandon his rival to
the tender mercles oil the white bears, several
OF which had been seen traversing the ice
1elds near Diomede Isle.
A sudden outcry from the driver ACCOMPANIED
by the loud neighinS of the Cossack ponies
and the hoGrse barking of the stampedel herds
OF seals, caused the two men to check the fierce
tide OF hatred surging up within their breasts
and think only of the safety OF the woman SO
dear to each of them.
The bears are upon u.s." shouted the driver
at the door of the little house on runners.
In an instant Col Rivers had thrus: a pair of
pistols into his belt. and seizing a repeating
rifle, sprung through the doorway. The ba,irs,
three of which were in sight. had doubtless
scented the Cossack ponies aud were intent
upon making a meal Of them. Girard and
PcchkCh row presented themselves fully armed
and awaiting the word OF command from the
American. whom they instinCtively felt to be
the best qualified to lead thom to victory
IF we were Gully certain that there are but
three, came from Rivers, lit would be well to
decoy them away from the studio by turning
the ponies loose: then we could follow them up
and pick them of without difficulty"
The bears were now advancing with raised
muZZies eagerly shifting the air. There was
no time to be lost.
With few hastily spoken words Rivers as
signed positions to Glrard AMI Pechkoff, while
he himself advanced 10 face the largest of the
three animals. Pechkoff's rifle missed fire,
while Rivers had the satisfaction of seeing the
huge beast lie had aimed at roll over dead at
his feet. Girard had only succeeded in wound
ing his bear which, however came to q halt,
! and raising himself on his launches sent forth
| terrific howl OF rage and pain.
Pechkoff was retreating before his enemy
pausing every now and then to make another
effort to discharge his piece. Suddenly his
right foot sank into hole which the snow had
| concealed and he fell heavily to the ground.
With blood streaming from his wide-opened
| jaws the bear WAS advancing upon him. ter
| rible thought flashed through Rivers mind
| But it was II thought and thought only, for
| the next instant the colonePs hunting knife
| sank deep into the animals neck, and az he
| reared himself and turned to face this unex-
pected foe a rifle shot stretched him dead on
| the ice field second shot from Girard rifle
had failed to stop the advance of the wounded
| bear, which now mady charged, throwing the
Frenchman with terrible force full length on
the ice. With a hghtning-like movement
! Rivers turned to save his friends life. He was
\ too late however, for VirGinie was by her
| fathers side aud the loud crack of her rifle
| mingled with cry Of terror from Madame
| Girards lips.
| The shot was just in time to save Girard
| murderous blow from the bears claws and the
animal was still making an effort to reach his
PROSTATE enemy when ball from the coloners
| revolver at close range put an end to his life
| Girard was assisted to his feet and save a few
bruises was found to be uninjured
Where's my brave grip" he called out look
| ing about for Virginie.
| She had hastened to minister unto her
mother. who had fallen into swoon upon
| uttering the shrek of terror. Some little time
| elapsed before the various emotions of the diff
| ferent members Of the party gave place TO suf-
| tcient calmness to permit them to put their
| gratitude to and admiration of each other into
words. BY unanimous vote, however, Virginie
| was named the heroine of the battle. and. as
| the two men Rivers and Pechkoff closed their
| eyes after partaking Of some refreshment, each
| in his own mind determined to ask the hand of
! the brave French girl i'll marriage the very
moment he set foot on terra frma.