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

fight Is discovered we have everything 70
fear"
"You are right" said the Partisan. "We
must make haste"
IN. Lafeur," said Yegor, ''your devotion
has been put to a complete enough proof.
Leave US here, and, whatever may happen,
believe me that will never forget what you
have done"
NO" replied the excellent NJ. Lafeur;
~ will quit you only when you have crossed
the Verkho-Yansk chain of mountains.
Besides, will take advantage Of the OPP
portunity to enrich my herbal-the herbal
of the collection intended for my famiy's
town, Chateau-Thierry. I will tell you
about it."
Nadege joined her entreaties to those Of
Yegor, but they could not induce the dane
ing master to reconsider his determination.
An instant afterwards, the Yakoute, to
whom M. Lafleur had given rendezvous at
Aldanskoi, was presented by him to Yegor.
His name was Tekel, and he was to accom-
pany the fugitives as long as they might
need his services. He was a man Of about
thirty, Of short stature, but solid and well
built, with a countenance denoting subtle
cunning and good nature.
He it was who, the fugitives once hidden
in the forest Of Ostrovoye, which commences
at the bottom of the Verkho- Yansk Noun
tains, was to go on foot to Zachiversk, dis
tant two hundred and fifty miles from that
forest, to bring back at the first heavy frosts
sledge-a narta-with strong team Of
reindeer.
M. Lafleur had bought the day before, on
90, nd
a smaller one for Nadege, as well as shaft
horse for the cart to be driven by Tekel and
in which Ladislas was to ride.
The relay horses and the guide, who was
literally paid were sent back.
After resting for an hour, the party set
out.
In his careful foresight, Yegor had count
ed upon the heavy frostS of September,
which alone were capable Of solidifying the
softened ground, which, two weeks sooner,
would offer insurmountable obstacles.
The country presented a succession Of
pronounced undulations. Tall trees, among
which the larch predominated, covered the
heights. The lower portions were followed
out by the action Of the rains.
It was requisite, in order to cross the Al
dan, to procure a fiat boat and have recourse
to the assistance of the natives, for the
river is not less than sixteen hundred yards
broad. This stream crossed, the travellers
erected, for the first time, square tent
made Of reindeer skin and called in the Ian
guage of the country pologue. M. Laf-
leur had purchased it at Aldanskoi. 1t
was to be transported at first rolled up In
the bottom of the cart, and afterwards in the
sledge.
Some provisions were taken from the
sacks, and the improvised repast only need
ed little gayety to render it charming, but
even NJ Lafieur, despite all his efforts to
animate his friends, could not inspire it.
The horses, set at liberty, pastured in q
neighboring meadow.
Yegor and Nadege had good reason for
being full of care.
The chief of police, as we have seen, had
escaped from Yegor, at the same time ac-
quiring convincing proof that the trip to
Aldanskoi was but the first step in an es-
cape across Siberia. Besides, the shattered
face of his cap was evidence sufficient to
convince the most incredulous that Grim
inal attempt had been made, for why should
the governors secretary have tried to take
the life of the chief of police if his presence
had not been an obstacle to his plans2 The
shots fired by the exile clearly established
what he was about
AS soon as he could safely quit his hiding
place, Yermac searched for his horse. He
heard it neighing frequently and compre-
hended that the animal had been abandoned.
He finally saw it in the distance, wandering
at will. Now it approached him, and then
it tore madly away as if under the influence
Of fear.
He stroye to overtake it, but mis- strength
failed him. On leaving Yakoutsk, he had
brought with him only few pounds Of bis
cult but even this slight supply Of provis-
ions was in the valise fastened to the horses
saddle. The recovery of the animal was,
therefore, an imperative necessity.
Happily, the horse eventually recognized
its master and ran TO him. But the fugi-
tiyes had now more than three hours start
of him. However, the chief of police re-
solved to continue his pursuit of them. Once
at Aldanskoi, he would procure, thought he,
a reliable messenger to inform the governor
of the exile's escape, and ask for squad OF
Cossacks.
Let us return to the fugitives and the
brave man who was aiding them.
After few hours rest they resumed
their travels. They found only marshes
before them; green grass and hills became
rare. The sky clouded; snow fell-the first
of the autumn-snd the thermometer sank
to two degrees below zero. When they
again erected their tent they were forced to
light fire. Afar of, in the narrow valleys
of the verkho- Yansk Mountains, they heard
torrent roaring. The next day they ford