The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-11-20
THE EXILES.
A RUSSIAN STORY


not sound troubled the profound silence
not even the cracking Of branches, SO fire.
quent in forests, and the mysterious whis-
pering of leaves, which suggests the secret
communings Of the darkness. Yegor had
many times thrown himself on the ground
and placed his ear to the soil, but nc vibra-
ton had revealed the approach of a human
being.
In this gorge, abrupt, winding, narrow,
bristling with rocks and full of larch trees
with enormous black branches spreading
out in the gloom like immense bat wings,
the obscurity was deep. Yegor was forced
to light the small dark-lantern with which
he was provided; he fastened it to the col
lar of his dog, One might say the intelli-
gent animal comprehended the Importance
of the role entrusted to it. It went forward
cautiously, with ears erect From time to
time, it turned about to assure itself that it's
master was following it.
Ladislas had fallen asleep in the cart;
Nadege walked. beside the vehicle, and M
Lafleur, plunged in world of reflections
neither fowery nor joyous, brought up the
rear, with bowed head, still carrying in his
overcoat pocket his violin which he pressed
against his heart as if to warm it.
to the dance! Alas that he who loved not
strong emotions and had created for himself
a mild and tranquil existence he who was
saving for himself a few thousand roubles
yearly that he might go as soon as possible
oplant cabbages at Chateau-Thierry, should
be obliged to flee like criminal, an assassin,
walking the roads-if they could be called
roads lin the midst of the night and pur-
sued by the gendarmes!
An assassin! He asked HIMSELF if he were
not one!
Had he not been an accOmplice! In his
immoderate generosity had he not espoused
the cause of the fugitives! Had he not
suggested to Yegor the idea Of precipitating
the rock upon Yermac? M. Lafeur said to
himself that he evidently had not known
what he was doing The strangeness of his
situation, his impulsive nature and his good
heart with its generous enthusiastic
would have preferred death to the cap
ture of his friends through his passive at
titude-such had been the moving causes
capable of impelling him to become uncon-
sciously the champion and defender Of
criminal act
All sorts Of incoherent thoughts mingled
with each other now in his brain. He stop
ped himself, at times, upon the point of re-
tracing his steps to aid Yermac. Who
knew! Perhaps the chief of police was not
yet dead? But would not that amount to
delivering himself up to justice, to ac-
cepting alone the responsibility of the
crime? No; that was impossible! Then,
doubling his pace, he breathlessly rejoined
his companions, who asked him what was
the matter or if he had heard anything.
'1go, no, it was nothing answered he.
z Imagined l heard voice"
It was the voice OF his conscience re-
preaching him for his conduct
After long and toilsome march, the fugi-
tives saw with satisfaction the end Of the
defile. The moons rays, stealing through
the interstices of the trees, changed into
columns of silver the smooth and shining
trunks of the bircheS and transformed
into beautiful velvet draperies the vines
clinging to the branches of the pines and
larches.
Leaving behind them the valley slumber-
ing amid perfect quietude, they crossed
slope beneath starry sky. The massive
elevations of the Verl1hO- Yansk Mountains
raised to the right and left their pyramids
of stone, which newly-fallen snow covered
as with a mantle of ermine.
AT daybreak the fugitives reached wood
ed plateau, which offered a sight favorable
to camping and concealment.
1t was the forest of Ostrovoye.
Overlooking ravine at the bottom OF
which flowed torrent, this plateau was
protected on it's three remaining sides by
the lateral extensions of the chain of noun
tains; the thick forest which covered it
and was at least six or seven miles long
made it like the centre of an impregnable
fortress.
Yegor, who had profited by short halt to
explore the spot and study its position in
the double point of view of fight and de-
fence, held council and expressed the
opinion that the place was a suitable one
In which to await the winter, the speedy
arrival of which was announced in various
ways.
While they were encamped in the forest
the Yalzoute Tekel could go on foot to Zach
iversl, little town situated on the right
bank of the Indiguirka, to procure two
sledges drawn by reindeer. These sledges
were indispensable to continue the journey
in winter over the marshes and rivers lev
eled by the snow which falls in abundance
in these regions.
Tekel would bring back with him second
sledge driver and the party would start i'm
mediately for the country of the Tchoukt
CHS, nominally under the control of Russia
from where it would be possible to reach the
Gulf of Anadyr in the spring.
NJ Lafleur made no opposition; he hoped
that an opportunity for him to return tc
Yal1outsk might present itself Yermae
dead, from whence could trouble arise
for him? There had been only one witness
of his complicity-the chief of police him
self!
The trees of the forest of Ostrovoye were
too close together to permit the cart to be
taken with them. But they could not aban-
don it. Yegor. aided by Telel, demolished
it, and the provisions as well as the baggage
were carried to the place selected for the
encampment The horses were loaded with
the coverings and tents and led with much
difficulty into the midst of the forest, where
the trunks of the pines and larches formed
kind of palisade.
When the fugitives believed themselves
in security, they remembered that they hao
not eaten since the previous day. They
I1-aI oil