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

bush, they fired a shower Of balls at the au-
dacious man who had the courage to await
their coming.
Soon Yermac was hemnled in on all sides
and entirely at the discretion of his ag-
gressors. The latter took position-they
utilized everything trees, rocks, and in
CAPABILITIES Of the ground--and, slowly, giving
themselves time to take steady aim, they
made Yermac tar -er.
The chief of pc, Z. not lose his pres
ence of mind AMI II ely sustained this dis
loyal attack. II.ra3 times he reloaded his
gun; he fired five shots at one of his adyer-
saries, the one most advanced on his left,
then, wheeling rapidly about discharged his
weapon to the right at a second, who, sur
prised as he was passing from one tree to
another to advance a few yards, was hit full
in the breast.
To the howl uttered by the latter as he
fell, his companions roars of anger re-
sponded The band OF gold-robbers, who
had terrified the country, had lost their
chief
In an instant, Yermac was flooded with
proiectiles.
He would infallibly &c forced to succumb,
for, besides the fact that flight was repug-
nant to him, he well knew that to turn his
back would be but an Indifferent means CT
ameliorating his perilous situation.
Suddenly, one of the assailants uttered a
cry It was an invitation to his compan-
ions to stop the attack; and Yermac was
much surprised to see come towards him
unarmed the adversary of the left agalns
whom most of his efforts had been directed.
He was a very young man, beardlcss, with
black eyes anG the dull complexion Of q
Slavonian, and clad in the skin garments OF
the Yakoutes.
What was Yermac's stupefaction on re-
cognizing in this brigand of the steppes, seen
in the rudy light of the glowing confagra-
ton, his son Dinitri
''Father," cried the latter, lit is T."
'eWretch!" exclaimed Yermac. ''Youl
You-with them with the goid-robbers!"
'sHave no further fear" said Dimitri,
and he signed to his companions to with
draw.
49, robber and assassin, you were on
the point of becoming a panioile!" observed
the unfortunate father a prey to genuine
despair.
''Father" said Dinitri, timidly, II have
never boon an assassin-never, [ swear it,"
APar1icide, you became ore," pursued
Yermac, ''when in depriving NE Of honor
you took from me more than life! DO you
know what 7 was compelled to DO to oc7piate
your crimes2 Did you doubt my voluntary
humiliation when I abandoned my position
as Ipravsnik? Have you thought of the
contempt and affronts I was forced to en-
dure while a convict-gunl:"
''F'ather the iniquities of which you have
been the victim, this odious censure and
this exile which you did not deserve have
troubled my mind. I have suffered greatly
in seeing you suffer. I rose in instruction
against that blind and criminal society OF
which you had so much to complain; WISH
cd to avenge your
Zone obtains vengeance by rehabiltating
himself in the eyes of those who believe him
guilty. or who disbelieving his guilt affirm
it. y said Yermac, sternly. "injustice must
be made to bend And now"
s.And now, what DO you wish should
become Of me?" interrupted Dimitri. 81
cannot return among honest roople-that is
certain. Abandon me to my fate! will
live despised by all and myself"
No; you can die'
'sWhat?"
'I say that you can expiate your crimes,
wipe out your shame and restore me the
honor of my name"
''How?"
''By DEATH"
"You wish me to die?" said Dimitri, with
a sad smile. II have thought Of death many
times. for life is burden to me, and the
hours when I feel ready to deliver myself
from it are growing more and more frequent.
Patience, father; soon, perhaps, you will
hear no more of your son!"
''That is not what I wish Jutsice de-
mands q less voluntary and !, orc immediate
expiation having the value AMI force of pun
ishment An ignominious death is requir-
ed, and you are going to receive it at my
hands !"
ga father kill his son!"
t"There is here neither father nor sonl
There is, Oh the other hand, far from every
tribunal, man whom the law has conse-
Grated Judge, who has never laid aside
that character despite his unwonted forfeit
ure, and who should pronounce your death
sentence! That sentence [ will execute.
Follow me-"
He dragged him behind some rocks which
hid both of them from the sight Of Dimltrls
COnDdulOuS. Liz ldUlSI oCC4A1ON W AA>S' -
OWNED a stormy explanation between the
father and son, and held themselves IN
readiness to fly to the assistance OF their
comrade
Dimitri, livid, regarded his father with
that fixed glance which a criminal fastens
on his executioner at the moment of exc
cution, for the young man felt that he was
about to receive his death at his fathers
hands.
Father, your will be done!" murmured
he.
There are words which should not be
profaned," said Yermac, in a stern voice
! ''Give me your belt!"
For what purpose"
''To tie you to a tree"
''Tt is useless; you shall see that know
how to die. When I am dead, you will have
to push me to make me fall"
''Obey; this binding is a humiliation tx
/ which you should submit"
eli so, consent to it. Do as you will"
Dimitri took off and handed him his long
woollen belt His father, pushing hin
against larch, passed it around his bod!
hoy