Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-29

a detachment of Cossacks surrounded two
chained prisoners. the former captain Of
gendarmes OF Irkutsk and Count vladimir
Lanin. Both were deadly pale, with this dis
tincticn, that the captain trembled like an
aspen, while Vladimir bore himself with per.
feet cslmness and resignation.
The unfortunate men were to die under the
nagaika. This fearful execution, known
elsewhere as running the gantlet, consists in
Russia in the following ceremony: The
criminal is tightly bound to two muskets at
the spot where the bayonet is bent. Two SOL
diers seize the muskets and with them push
their victim forward so that he must march
between the two rows of soldiers. Each one
of these has cane in his hand and is bound
to strike with it the bare shoulders of the
condemned as soon as he stands in front OF
him. At every step the latter thus receives
two blows Nineteen out of 20 die long be-
fore the execution is over.
Whether it was calculated cruelty or acci-
dent, but Schelm kept them waiting long
time. The execution had been ordered at 9
O'Clock; it was now 10, and the Revisor had
not appeared vet. This long delay caused
the unfortunate victims additional suffering;
the Captain was half dead already, and
vladimir also turned paler and paler. A
repulsive woman, with disheveled hair and
in ragged clothes, appeared in the draw
bridge. 1t was Caroline.
A murmur of satisfaction passed through
the crowds when at last the Revisor was seen
coming. In the city gate appeared car
riage drawn by four thoroughbred horses; a
small picket of Cossacks surrounded the
landau, in which Schelm and the Governor
of the city were seated. Palkin rode by
their side; when he reached the drawbridge
Caroline looked at him fercely, and threat
a,ad hin, with her fists
"You know very well that he suffers
death to-day, because he has served you too
well |" cried Caroline.
"Good that hear that u said Schelm to
himself 81 must inquire into that 70
Palkin had only a contemptuous smile
for the woman. The Cossacks moved side
ways, so that the carriage came to stand
close BY the soldiers A priest and physi-
clan stepped forward. Upon a sign by
Schelm the captain was tied to the muskets.
He had lost all consciousness, and could not
take step of his own will. He was pushed
like log of wood between the two rows OF
soldiers. Schelm wanted Vladimir to see
what awaited him.
We need not repeat the details of this
awful ceremony here suffice it to say that
before long the victim no longer felt pain,
and the blows fell upon lifeless BODY.
His corpse was thrown aside, and Schelm
gave a sign that the same process should be
repeated with vladimir The Revisor
leaned back comfortably to enjoy the sight.
Vladimir advanced without being pushed.
When he stood before the Pope ne said in
an audible voice:
'Father, give me your blessing; die in
nocentP'
But before the priest could answer, horse
men were suddenly heard to approach and a
great tumult arose. A man in red cos
tune rode at their head"
''Tn car of the exilesl' cried the Pope, q
monk from the Convent OF st. George. At
the same time some 500 armed men came
out of the forest and marched at double
quick upon the place of execution. All the
soldiers, except the Cossacks, were un-
armed. They we're utterly conounded and
did not know what to do. The curious null
titude fled. Schelm ordered the carriage
to return to the city, but the road was al
ready in the hands of the horsemen. The
Revisor sank, almost fsinting, back into the
Palkin alone had not lost his head. He
no sooner saw the surprise than he dis
patched Cossack to the city to summon as
sistance. The Cossacks surrounded the
carriage and advanced their long lances: the
soldiers hung their heads and made no at
tempt to defend themselves with their canes
The Pope and the physician sought assist
ance near the carriage. When Schelm
heard the clash of arms he tainted once
more. No one in the meantime seemed to
think of Vladimir, although Ivan, who
the infantry, quickly loosened
his fetters and ordered detachment to carry
the Count toward the forest.
Soon the battle became furious. The |
Cossacks, in close ranks around Schelm's |
carriage, defended themselves bravely |
against superior numbers. Palkin cut down |
many men, looking all the time anxiously |
toward the city to see if help was coming. |
One of the exiles had, however, come up |
close to him and now drove his sword deep |
into the breast OF his horse. Palkin fell. |
The exiles now surrounded the carriage. |
The Governor Of Irkutsk was determined to |
defend himself to the last breath, but Schelm |
did not regain consciousness till loud shouts |
the arrival of succor from |
own.
At that moment an iron hand slezed his |
arm. The threatening form of the so-called |
Gar of the Exiles stood before his ewes. He |
uttered a cry OF terror.
'fDo you recognize me?" cried the man to |
he contemplate coward. 81 promised YOU
'evenge, Schelm, but do not want to kill |
you. We have the proof of your knavery in |
,ur hands-your receipt of 100,0 900 roubles, |
md that is now on the way to Petersburg. |
You shall first lose your position, your o.
ice, your fortune and your honor, and then
you shall diei"
"Millerr' cried Schelm, 'I am lostp'
mot to-day, but soonl In the meantime |
-'lI leave you little keepsake, and the like |
7ou shall have every time meet your
He gave Schelm several blows with a |
znout upon his face. The blood gushed |
orth from many wounds, aud the Revisor |
lowled with pain.
"And now, children, let us feer' Miller
allied out to his followers.
The succor from town came up at a rapid |
,allop, and the first squadron was quite.
lear already. When the soldiers reached
he carriage, they found Schlem lying in it |
ainting, and the Governor in great rage,
having been disarmed in spite of his admir- |
Lble gallantry. The exiles had fled in all |
directions and it was clear that to pursue |
hem would be useless. Fifteen Copacks and |
2 exiles had paid with their lives for |
1anin's liberation.
A few yards from them two persons were
ound who held each other in firm grasp.
'alkin's hand had strangled his enemy's
hroat. The latter was dead, but the
Jolonel was still alive. His face was
nutilated in the most fearful manner; the
TRANCE wounds were evidently not caused
" an ordinary weapon; in his neck stuck
,air of scissors, such as tailors use.
Anxious to know who could have used such
weapon, the soldiers drew off the hood
hat concealed the features of the dead ad-
'ersary. 1t was a woman! Long braids of
light brown hair hung down behind. The
Voman it was who had thrust sword into
he horse and then tried to kill the rider
With her scissors. Helen had had her re-
,enra hnt at a cnstlv nrica