The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

Toward the end OF June Count SeTgius and
his faithful Ivan arrived at Fort Yukon, a trad
Ing post. Here he enjoyed the first fruits Of his
long and arduous journey, for several OF the
-tyhis' or chiefs assured him that they TecOl-
lected lis brothers passing through their coun-
try aud one IN particular asserted his ability 10
conduct Count oeTgius 10 the very village, about
n5tS leagues further up The Yukon, where the
brave explorer had lost his life. Count Sergius
1usis ed upon settling out that very day and was
WltB 0lmcuity Qlssuaded ION so doing by the
representations OF The agents at the fort that
ksrnof and his band had been securing the
country Of late, not Insulating even at murder
and fraud IN order TO eXIOrt treasure.
hanoi, commonly known among tie natives
. OF this region as -'Karnof the Terrible" was an
escaped Siberian convict, man OF almost super
human strength and 1eroelty. UnluSuy con-
-demned, as he claimed to lifelong serVlIude in
1.-The siberian mines, lie had escaped and taken
refuge in ills distant land, making his boast that
There W-re not Russian soldiers enough in Alaska
to Tecapture him. Though built like Hercules,
and Wild and ferocious enough in aspect 10 merit
his name OF The Terrible" yet karnot in Ian,
guaSe and bearing gave evidence that lie might
. easily be- as he asserted he was, of noble BIRTH.
lie sent word &c Count SergiUs that lie hoped TO
haye the pleasure OF ciasping countryman and
brother noble by the hand.
- In few days Count Sergius set out from Fort
Yukon. with an escort OF natives. aud pursued
lis way eastward. Although the Yukon Is over
1000 miles In length II ceases 10 be naFigable
after passing this point, aud rapidly becomes
harrow, swift aud turbulent. The grandeur OF
the mountain scenery, the immensely OF the fields
Of Zee the terrific sweep OF the mountain torrents
impressed Count Sergius deeply, and with
thoughts of his dead brother ever present II his
mind. II seemed TO him as II he were approach
ing sacred shrine where he was 10 witness
the happening OF something preteInaural. And
such, IN truth, was the case; for here in this H.
dian village at the far end OF The world, Count
Sergius found, almost as lie had left them, in
siTumenIs, note books, and even the clothes OF
Lis lost brother for moth and insects are IN
known in this land OF brief summer.
H. laYished gold uDOn the chief who had thus
crowned long and unpromising journey with
complete success and employed him to transport
these sacred relics to Fort Yukon. AS the burial
custom Of the land required The burning of the
dead there were no remains to be carried back
10 Russia, bur the daughter OF the tyhl pointed
out 10 him sEall leathern bag. hanging In one
Of the houses, which, she assured him on the faith
Of representations made to her by her mother,
contained the ashes OF " white medicine man. %
who had been Killed while attempting to
guell a brawl in the village many years ago.
Faith strong enough TO remove mountains
may rest upon the slenderest reed, and
Count Sergius took with reverent hand this
bag from the cedar post on which II had hung so
long. Until this service bad been rendered MIN by
the ehieiianS daughter, the Russian Traveller
had done no more than glance at The Indian
maiden whose unusual grace and beauty had
somewhat attracted him. In this almost un-
known land woman's position Is little better than
actual slavery the men even forcing them to fish
and hunt, Inc widow TOO. must perform partial
suit e, that is, remain upon her husband s
funeral pyre until her hair Is burnt of and carry
his ashes In a leather bag around her neck for a
whole year 10 prove her devotion.
TO NassiliOwiich's not slight surprise Kayeste
such was the Indian maiden's uame-was
woman-llke, she had not been slow to take ad-
vantage OF It, but Invariably used her authority
on The side of justice and mercy.
Explain 10 me this strange exception In
Rayelte's favor" said Count Sefgius 10 tie lyhi.
karnof loves her," whispered the chief
Count Sergus WAssiliowilch was brave man,
lips as he recOected that be had taken the
comedy Indian maiden by the hand ard after the
fashion OF hts country even kissed her upon the
forehead.
"I.isIen master 7" cried KayeIte to Seraius, as
the blush OF indignation set rich bloom on her
dark cheek, 1.-THE chief Il deceiyiug you, else
why should he Whisper Karnois hands are
red with the blood Of my people ~
As Count Sergius lay upon his bed OF skins
that night be was awakened by some one gently
claSptng his feet in token OF submission. II
/" Master" said the Indian girl, "the preacher
from your land who lives at Fort Yukon has
10 tree aud speared In the side, whose blood
has bealed all The world. want to live among
his people. Take me with YOU let me be your
slave |"
KayeIte." replied Count Sergius. there are
no slaves In ms land. Women have the same
rights as the men,"
But some one must toll" she urged, " some
one must fish aud weave and sew"
Ay," answered the Russian, a. the women do
their patt"
Then let ME go with you" cried Kayette
beseeehingly, let me do as The other women
do"
And desert your peopie?" queried sergius.
'Ihey VIII net miss me-" was the answer.
zone woman is as good as another. There are
too many here now. A little gold will make them
glad TO give me up"
The day was breaking. Wassli owitch drew the
Indian maiden toward Lin, passed his arm
arodnd her neck, and, pushing back her tangled
hair, looked long and steadily at her.
lier dark lustrous eyes showed no signs OF
craft. They returned his gaze gently but un-
nineningly.
Master, l love you'll"
WasslliOwitch trembIed. for the chiefs words
rang in bis ears. She Is the bride Of karnof the
Terrible !" thought Count Sergius 10 himself.
kayetie seemed TO divine the thoughts OF the
man whose arm encircied her neck.
=" Master, fear nothing" she Inurmured, IRE.
tnrB 10: Fort Yukon; no one will think that
hayette intends To follow you. / know the for
est path better than The men do. Await me there.
Once on the great river we shall be safe from
Aarnof May go with you. master?"
Had haInof the Terrible stood over him with
upliited hand Count SeIgus would have made
the same reply. IL was:
Yes hayette, you may 60 with me- and may
The Great Spirit keep you safe from dangers
which my hands are powerless 10 avert"
Master, love you 20 Was tile Indian maid
ems simple and touching reply.
"Be very cautious. Kayette" whispered the
Russian. mo doubt karnof has spies within
the village. Everything you say and do Will be
reported TO him."
"My father. was an eagle. my mother was a
wolf r. replied Eayetie, alluding 10 The symbols
Of her family. I'm as swift as the one and as
wise as the other"
Now, that his search for Information concern
been so successful, and also for the reason that
he was anxious to remove Kayette, this gentle
and sympathetic child OF nature. from the dam
gers which surrounded her, Count Sergius made