The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-01-22

separated the sledge from the hut. His
father ran to meet him.
''Father!" said the young man, on per-
ceiving him. sgive me credit for a good
action I have brought you back the child
Yermac clasped Dimitri to his breast; but
he could not avoid making the following OBJ
servation to him:
''F'or your first good action, you have not
exactly had happy hand"
Chow is that"
''The child is the son of exiles-he is in
company with others who are escaping"
II did not know it, murmured Dimitri.
1.-THE merit Of the action is yours, all the
same" said Yermac. ''The moment I re
turn this child to them, shall feel myself
completely free from every obligation in re-
gard to them. And I shall owe this very
great satisfaction to you"
Dimitri could not and did not understand
His father saw how weak he was and ask.
ed him the reason.
Dimitri answered:
cit happened when I wished to quit my
companions. / was already far from them,
bringing the child, in the night, when they
fired upon US. They comprehended that
had abandoned them. I was hit by a ball
below the left shoulder. could not stop tc
care for myself-and that is the reason l am
in this sad state"
unfortunate man! You exposed your
self to an aggravation of your conditions"
cried Yermac.
''Then you no longer wish to see me die,
father!" said the young man, with sad
smile. Sat least, have seen you again be-
fore drawing my final BREATH" added he,
'and you will, perhaps, pardon me for all
hills, the snowy peaks and the CLASSY sea.
The vast silence, broken only by the howl
ing Of the dogs, filed the mind with an in
describable feeling of uneasiness and fear
as II 1t wera under the empire OF night
mare which nothing could drive away
The same thought then assailed these
three men, so far from their natal countries.
Yernac, Yegor, and good M. Lafeur
we're transported in imagination to the
lands of the sun. Who knew if they would
ever see them again. and if cold grave
would not open for them also in this region
81 the pole7
Yegor and NJ. Lafeur grasped the hand OF
Dimitris father to console him. and then
grasped each others to strengthen them
selves in their resolutions.
'Shall we, Yermac," said Yegor, "before
this tomb promise mutual assistance and
succor!"
mo, Yegor," answered the chief of po-
lice; ''you brought me into this region. l
followed you without too much resistance,
because your courage had made an i'm
preston upon me. But ask nothing further
of me-"
The Yakoutes started on their journey the
ro7slyy
called the warm wind, which had blown all
day, causing the thermometer to rise above
zero, softening the snow, and melting the
ice incrusted in the two little windows of
the hut. The moon lighted up their road,
and if the dogs held out at the rate they
commenced they would make over eight
miles an hour.
On seeing them depart with the two
nartas, Yermac, already much discouraged
by the death of his son lost all hope Of fee
ing. More taciturn than usual, he refused
all consolation, all assistance. Nadege had
tried without success to induce him to ac-
cept food at Ladislas' hands.
When the guides had gone, he seated
himself near the spot where Dimitri had
been buried. In the pale light which fell
from above, the wooden cross seemed to be
the centre of a vast cemetery.
In the distance, upon the sea, in the direc-
ton of the icebergs, the ice, broken up by
the action of the sudden heat and the dash
Of the free waters set in motion by the
wind, gave vent to resounding and con-
tinued cracl1ings, which mingled with the
noise of the waves dashed against the
promontories by the gale. The Polar Sea
had, for few hours, shaken off the yoke Of
winter.