The morning call., 1890-06-29
XXNI.

For nearly six days now Vladimir had been
among the Iebels aud yet lie had only once been
able 10 see their leader, and Then Miller had de-
| clined to answer bis questions. In spite of the
| great danger 10 which lie close neighborhoOd OF
| IskulsK exposed The rebels they did not will
| draw INTO the interior.
Vladimir considered himself one OF them, as
| owed bis freedom 10 them. and longed 10 cross
| the frontier. But those among the eXes to
| whom lie cODfded his wishes always replied that
| this did not depend on them. and that lie must
| walt for their leader. Lanin became very i'm.
patient 10 meet lller but IN vain; the latter had
continually 10 inspeci tie Outrosts or 10 perform
! some other duty. The rebels were now en-
| canned on a bill some thiffy-hve versts from
| lrSUtsk, which IOse between Tie Augara and a
| small tributary. Gu the summit Uf this hill,
| whence the whole surrounding country could
| easily be overlooked, ladimir, Ivan and some
OF lie higher officers were assembled. The great
post road followed the edge OF the forest and Tie
station on The banks of The Angara shOue Ike a
| bright, White point. Tie rebels were impatiently
| waiting foI MleI's return, as they easily saw
| how danger Gus their position was. especially
| now that summer at come aud nothing impeded
| the communication
AT last our leader is comugi" exclaimed
| Ivan, the same who had accompanied Vladimir
| on his journey to Lake Baikal. lie was, this
| time, In The usual costume OF tine exies, having
| lad aside the red cloak which he occasionally
| wore. red being fayoliie color With Russians.
MILLER" called Vladimir, "when VIII you
| lead us Ou?'
THAT does not depend on myself" was the
reply. ave must wait for our brethren who
wish to join Us here. They Will arrive tonight
Ienar-kis VIII provide boats. Look around,
Vladimir Without the assistance OF Tie Tun-
guses we can do nothing We count 500 men.
We cannot use the flying ferry al The station.
Therefore we must wall for Ienar. He Will keep
his word he Is not a CIVILIZED man. aud on that
account trust him. latience, my friends. To-
night We need moi iear!"
''BuI If we should be attacked before sunset ?"
asked Ivan.
Then must defend ourselves" replied
Miller. "Notlng, however indicates an at
tack. We can control from here the whole
country for Three miles around. Our outpOsts
arr. n II u al * n
| miserable coward, aud, fortunately for us, Gen
| eial MOski is absent. Aud now, men, leave me
moment alone. l have TO speak TO Count
Lanin."
Inc exiles obeyed ana the two old friends
were alone Both sat down on the soft turf
under giant oak.
Have you forgiven me, Vladimir 2" asked
Miller.
{" Her. how can you askq You have saved
my LIE. That thought abSOTbs all others. Only
tell me what you intend to do"
THAI depends upon eli cumstances. First of
all must cross the Angara, to put the river be-
tween US and Schem. do not fear him. to be
sure, but | want 10 know you are In safety.
Look al that station; my eyes are fixed upon
that point. From thence Ienar-k is To come
with bundled boats 10 carry US across TO the
other bank. Then we are safe %
And then we surely 60 to China Now the
whole story OF that document OF which you told
me has 10 meaning any longer. Yesterday was
inuocenij to-day am In rebellion. Even II Jana
has been successful shall have 10 remain in ex-
lie. want, on that account. TO get across the
frontier as soon as possible, and forever bid
adieu 10 my fatherland"
ALAS think as you do. First, however, we
must have our revenge. | shall not leave Russia
Till have made my enemies tIemble."
Miller beseech you"
." Not another word, Vladimir. / warrant
your fieedom and shall carry you across The
ironIer; then we shall never meet again. You
are not armed believer"
"Ob, no, but why should be? Beyond the
frontier l shah need no arms"
/" Who knows? We may have to fight a battle
first. WIKI whom? you ask. With the garrison
of Irkutsk."
F." hen shall also need no arms, for l do not
mean 10 fight against the Car and his soldiers"
/" Would you rather be caught and beaten 10
death ?' asked Miller, with a savage laugh.
81 shtll fee as fast and far as 1 can. but
shill never take part In a battle against the
Car"
Miller suddenly sprang up. seeing man hur-
rying up the hill on which they were sitting. 1t
was one OF the exlles who came quite out OF
breath 10 bring the evil news that the enemy
was approaching and that In an hour the battle
would probably begin.
"Then We must defend ourselves" said Miller.
81 loresaw this"
He looked around In the direction OF Irkutsk;
black line was seen closing the horizon. The
peninsula lay before ibem silent ana peaceful;
the exiles all lay concealed behind trees aud
shrubs, Suddenly Miller felt a hand touch him;
the turned round, and there was native, who
came forth from behind an oak.
ain an hour" he said, In his native tongue,
"leuar will be here with his boats"
80 much the better!" exclaimed Miller, and