San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-11
THE EXILES.
RUSSIAN STORY.

betrOthed.
Half an hour later, they disembarked upon
the right bank of the river. Thanks to his
passport, Yegor obtained two relay horses
kept by the Yakoutes. The journey was be-
ginning in earnest
Nadege had a superb look on horseback.
Modest like a well brought-up young girl,
she possessed that vivacity of bearing and
that special grace which are acq uired in the
active life of traveller.
Guided by Yakoute, running on foot be
fore them, they followed for a long while q
narrow path, which, turn by turn, wound
among willow bushes or crossed plains cut
up by ponds. Broad day had come. From
one of these ponds some teal arose. Yegor.
who carried, slung across his back, a CUR
'sborrowed" from the governor, killed three
Of these birds.
An instant after, on the edge Of wood
Of larch trees, the riders dismounted and
the guide kindled fire, spitted the fowls
and, in his fashion, prepared breakfast.
The travellers approached the blazing and
cracking branches, for the morning air was
keen. The roasted teal, served upon slices
of bread, which Yegor drew from a small
sack Of provisions, and washed down with
koumis made Of fermented mares milk, OBJ
tanned from the Yakoute in exchange for
some brandy, formed an excellent repast. A
kettle filled with water, drawn from neigh
boring pond, besides, permitted the making
of some cups of tea.
"Ahl if we only had our dear Ladislas
with us!" exclaimed Nadege. "He may
perhaps, be suffering from cold and hun
gerl"
"Do not torment yourself about him, dear
est" answered Yegor. IN. Lafieur is a
man full of resources, who, certainly, will
not let him want for anything. They passed
by here" added he, showing his companion
upon the humid ground the recent traces of
the wheels of the honest and brave Paris
ian's cart. &
He had scarcely finished speaking, when,
in the distance, upon the road opened by
them a short time before, appeared man
on horseback.
Nadege shivered with fright.
"Yegor," said she, "are we followedm
Yegor, who had suddenly become dis
turbed, looked in the direction of the horse
man.
''It must be traveller" said he, shut
| it is certainly not native-:that may be
seen from his prudent fashion of trotting.
1t is European, and, probably, Russian" "
The Yakoutes have keen sight. The guide
of the fugitiveS, in his turn, began to exam
| inc the man who had attracted their atten-
| ton. He described to them with precision
his costume, bearing, and face.
''If it should be the chief of police n
| murmured Yegor, grasping the barrels OF
his gun.
"What do you say, Yegor2" cried Mad
eye, alarmed. do you foresee any dan
| ger."
'What danger!" said Yegor, casting
upon his companion look supplicating her
| to hide her trouble from the eyes of the
| guide care we not going to Aldanskoi'
| Well, there will be one more of us. This
| man has no guide; he can go in our com.
pany"
~ believe that he has followed in our foot
steps thus far. How else could he have
| avoided losing his waya You know how
| frightful the roads arel"
| Several times, in fact, it has seemed to
me that heard the trot Of horse behind
us. All is now explained. In any case,
Nadege, reassure yourself. Whoever shall
dare to cause you pain shall pay dearly for
| It'll"
| Nadege approached Yegor.
| 'Yegor," whispered she, 'tif we were tc
mount our horses could we not try to es.
cape9"
''Impossiblel" he answered, also in whis
per. "Our guide would not make himself
our accomplice, and we should compromise
| everything"
''But, at least, do not expose YOURSELF"
'What are you saying, Nadegel Do you
| think that have waited so many months
| for the first day of our liberation to obey o
summons without resistancel Do you know
| what would await me-what would await
you-under such circumstances l must
either deliver up or defend both our lives =
Defend our livesl By what means, veg
orr"
"By every means!" answered the latter
He again gazed at the horseman and added
sit is Yermac lit is, indeed, the chief OF
| police He is following us. l thought he
had forgotten; but to a man Of his mould
death alone brings forgetfulness.
"How you brighten mel" murmured the
young girl, 81 no longer recognize you"
''Ah! it is because love you and they
wish to separate us!"
"Yegor, supplicate you"
81 will do all can to put what owe you
in accord with what owe honor and hu.
manity. If were a common malefactor,
would submit at the sight of a gendarme
but am an innocent man, the victim Of an
odious persecution. For myself and for yor
have the right on my side and, perhaps,
am the stronger!"
The Yakoute alone was yet eating the re-
mains of the teal. He was devOuring with