Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-08-21

CHAPTER VII.-TIIE MURDEROUS ROCK.
Where is the next relay statiop2" asked
Yegor of the guide.
'.At Mioure,'' answered the latter; ''but,
before reaching it, we will find yourte in
which to pass the night"
Very good" said Yegor.
The road grew less and less marked. The
travellers were compelled to go around num-
bers of miniature lakes bordered with larch
trees which covered their steep banks.
Yegor listened from time to time to assure
himself that they were not pursued by the
chief of police Nadege no longer feared
the latter whom she believed dead; but
the manner of his death caused her to
imagine a thousand dangers in every direc-
ton.
''Are we very far from Aldanskoi?" she
asked, from hour to hour.
Courage, dearest" replied the young
man. 1.-THE guido assures me that we will
see the Aldan and the town upon it to-mor-
row"
The fugitives passed the night in the
yourte designated by the guide. While
they slept wrapped in the coverings they
had brought with them, the guide kept up
a fire which had been kind.ed in the centre
of this rude habitation of nomads.
A yourte is a hut in the form of a trun-
Gated pyramid; it consists of slight frame
covered with dry grass and bits of turf In
that occupied by the travellers were two
small windows closed in lieu of glass, by
transparent strips of fish bladder The
floor of the yourte was three feet below the
surrounding ground. Wide benches, which
might serve as beds, stretched along the
walls. The inhabitants of the yourte had,
doubtless, temporarily abandoned it to live
beneath tent.
Very early in the morning, the travellers
reached Mioure It is a basin several square
miles in extent a dried up ancient lake full
of excellent pasture fields and yet contain
ing number of ponds well stocked with
fish. They encountered there a large vii
lage formed of yourtes, over which lowered
the belfrys of two churches. It possessed
animation and life, which contrasted strong
ly with the silence Of the solitudes traversed
by the fug1t1ves. IN the village streets ran
various droves of horses. The inha 01IsHttss
devote themselves to cattle raising and
trading in furs. The relay station was at
Mioure.
The fugitives took fresh horses and new
guide A sort of soup was prepared for
them composed of fish, milk, fat, few
pinches of flour and great deal Of larch
bark grated fine, and, after having done
honor to this altogether local dish, they re-
| sumed their journey. Yegor was in haste
| to reach Aldanskoi; there only, on again
| seeing the Partisan and Nadege's brother,
he could recover a little quietude and that
confidence, now so necessary, which already
| had begun to abandon him
| The roads were wretched, and it was Of
ten requisite to shun dangerous marshes,
| At last they arrived at Aldanskoi, and the
| first thing they saw on the outskirts of the
| little town was M. Lafieur's cart. Ladislas
was watching it. The child ran joyously to
| them.
"And NJ Lafleur?" asked Nadege, anx
iously, after having warmly clasped Lads
las against her heart.
'sDo you not hearsn said Ladislas.
In a neighboring yourte, the sounds of {
little violin We're filling with Joy and motor
a half dozen young people of the district
lads and lasses. M. Laf1eur soon appeared
upon the threshold, continuing to play OF
his instrument. Between two measures, hi
grasped Yegor,s hand and CALAMITY kissed