Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-01
CHAPTER Xxx.


About 60 versts from Irkutsk lies Lake
Bsikal, one Of the largest masses of fresh
water on earth. Russians and natives alike
call it the Holy Sea. 1t forms the natural
frontier between Russia and the Empire of
China. The line has, however, long since
ceased to mark any difference; the overflow
Of Russians has extended the Cars domin-
ion far beyond its shores. The Angara
river leaves the lake in ioaming waves and
the road to IrkutsK ruus along its shores
nearly all the wav. At the spot where the
Angara comes out of the lake some tall,
pointed rocks rise suddenly from the level
plain; they are known as the Shaman
rocks. Behind them the broad surface Of
the lake stretches out its dark water as far as
Amur Daya, with Its perpetual snow. The
Sbaman rocks are religiously revered by
the natives, and the Russians, naturally in
clined TO be superstitious, share the feeling
of the Siberians for these dismal rocks. A
legend, current in that region, says that
Christ, in q visit to these distant parts of
Asia, had assembled the largest of these
rocky points, and, after blessing the West,
had stretched out his hands toward the
North, saying; "Yonder there is nothing
morei''
Numerous islands give certain life to
the enormous lake. The largest is called
Orka A few versts beyond them group
Of similar gray rocks rise; In summer they
are inaccessible; the waves of the lake
break against them, making tremendous
surf, so that even the lightest of boats can
not approach the steep shore. The dark
and dismal rocks look like guardians watch
ing over the lake. In writer, however, the
outlook is very different. The dark, restless
waters of the lake freeze and form dark
blue, white or green crystals of the strangest
forms. At a distance one might imagine
q battlefield or a graveyard in which thou
sands of bodies had been inferred in terrible
disorder.
Light sleighs cross the lake in winter in
all directions. The ice, 10 or II feet thick,
could bear whole army with its heavy ar
tillery. But the new conner, when he first
steps on the vast frozen surface, is sure to be
taken aback by the very curious sounds
which the lake emits, sounding now like
the sweet notes of hunting horn and now
like the subdued sighs of giant. From
time to time the whole vast surface begins
to shake or tremble, as if the lake wanted to
shake off the heavy burden and see the
sweet light of the sun once more.
The largest of the rocks which surround
the island OF Orka is triangular and stands
out slightly before the others. The rock has
no name, but a kind of cave in it is known
all over Siberia as the Shaman's valley. On
the black sides of the rock the white foam
OF the waves is frozen instantly, the pointed
peaks look like SO many sentinels guarding
the entrance.
1t was night. The huge blocks of ice
were glowing like gigantic diamonds and
reflected faint light upon the frozen surface
of the lake. 1t was cold to bursting, as
shev say in Siberia.
A slaiob with threa roindaar o,ro. ~,
quickly. The reindeer seemed to know the
way; they turned to the right and to the
left within these enormous blocks of ice
without pausing an instant Two men in
furs sat in the sleigh. They did not speak,
for that is impossible for people who drive
fast in such fearful cold. A sharp wind
whistles ominously. All around reindeer
became visible. Evidently men were
present nearby. The sleigh stopped at the
entrance to the Shaman's cave. The men
jumped out and the reindeer lay down in
the snow to rest
The newcomers walked few steps and
found themselves in the Shaman's cave,
Stalactltes of all shapes and colors hung
from the ceiling. Torches illumined the |
cave, and their light was reflected from the |
ice CRYSTALS in all the hues of the rainbow,
Twenty exiles had met here to consult, |
Each one had fur robe in addition to his |
ordinary costume. 1t was so warm inside |
the cave that the new arrivals laid aside the |
masks which they had worn as a protection |
against the excessive cold.
"What? Without any precautionary |
measures?" asked Vladimir. "You have no |
sentinels? am admitted as I am, without |
any oath or question"
"The vast extent of the cave and the pre-
vailing superstition protect us against any |
danger. No Siberian, unless it be half |
mad hunter, would dare approach these |
rocks at night. The agents of the Govern |
ment care not to come out in such weather. |
But we have sentinels: First, the reindeer,
who would make a noise like seals if a !
stranger were TO approach, and these two |
friendly Tunguses, who warrant our safety. |
You are not yet accustomed to this life in |
the desert, and have heard nothing yet, I |
suPpose2"
"Well, our arrival has been announced. 1 /
am at home here. When you desired to
Join US the matter was referred TO me- be-
cause I am the head OF all the exiles in |
Irkutsk. / was security for you. Our
brethren knew that was going to bring
stranger"
"But this is a complete organization.
How could you accomplish all this under
the eyes of the authorities?''
''All that we owe to one man. Formerly
we complained, endured, and gave our
selves up to despair. That man came and
soon understood how to inspire our hearts
with hope and our minds with courage"
And who is that?"
zone moment and you shall know him.
He is not here yet, but he will come soon,
because he knows we have a new member,
and generally he receives such himself.
You will notice that of the 20 members pres
anti raOf nno h IN
This is one of our rules"
Indeed the newcomers were left standing
quite alone in the cave, while farther In a
small number of conspirators stood in ST.
lence, their hoods drawn over their faces.
81 admire your discipline" said VIadi-
mir. HE must be an exceptional man who
is at the head of this society"
sit is an old custom now for the exiles of
a district to choose a head whom the Gov
eminent acknowledges as such. He is 10
mediate between the latter and ourselves,
but in fact this title is an empty form; our
demands, our complaints never produce a
result. We are not even allowed to make
our complaints known to an inspector or
other oficisl. You Count" he added, with
some bitterness in his tone. You have en-
joyed certain privileges. we are told, and
nave not yet fathomed the depth of our suf-
ferings. The exile has no rights whatever,
not even that of complaining!'
but that is terrible!'
"And yet it Is true. The Gear is just. but
his Ministers are strict. The upper officials
are usually hard of heart, but the subor-
are monsters.
"They say the Gar is justi"
"No doubt, but the Czar has no idea of
our fate. He wants only to get rid of us,
be no doubt thinks we are pretty well of