Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-31
CHAPTER NXXN.
WE MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE


WE MEET AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
Darkness compells us to keep on the out
skirts of the forest, for within the ohscur-
ity was so impenetrable that we should
have had to grope our way from tree to
| tree, only maybe to find, when light came,
that we had been travelling in a circle
| The glow of the smoldering kcmeras at
least Indicated the direction we were not to
take, and the light of the stars was suf1i-
cient to enable us to keep a tolerably
straight course We were cheerful enough
as we plodded on. Only, as it began
to grow light, we cast apprehensive glances
behind us for pursuing Cossacks, but
not speck rose out of the great white
plain. The remains of the etape We're lost
to sight. There was no sign of habitation
or living creature between us and the dark
line of far distant forest which bounded
the horizon.
Its odd" said Gordon in a tone of per
pleXity, after looking abort on the snow
around us, its odd that there are no
marks of feet. l saw by the ticket on the
wall last night that there were GOO and odd
in the kameras, and one would think that
some of that number surely would take the
path we have chosen. There were but two
ways to go.
1t was mystery To me also, but thought
il an advantage, for the majority of the
conviCts we had passed on the road were
/ horrible looking villains, the number of
unshackled prisoners-men eNiled for po-
litical ofTcnses-being very small indeed
Besides this, it seemed to me that the fewer
footprints there were in the snow the less
likelihood there was of pursuit being made
in our direction, as there would certainly
be better chance of making captives in the
other. When it grew lighter, we also struck
into the forest and sat down under a canopy
If frozen snow spread over the meeting
bouGhs of the great pines.
We were not cold for there was no wind,
and exercise had thoroughly warmed our
blood, but we were tired, and already
munger was suggesting the question, What
are we to eat?''
But VIC said nothing the subject for
some time, fearing to oetray our own mis-
givings At length Gordon. after looking
round him in silence, said:
"Awfully quiet in here, isn't it,"
| nodded, looking around me also. In
deed the stiffness was, in the true sense of
the word. awful.
Il can't see living thing anywhere, he
continued, and Yet there must be, YOU
know"
"Taras told me there were wolves in the
forests. Are they good TO eat
We'll, I've nevertricd EN-, he answered
evasively. concealing whatever disagreeable
reflections this question may have suggest
cd, but one thing is certain, they wouldn't
exist if there were nothing for them to eat
II could knock over a rabbit now, or
even an old crow, we could soon make a
fire to cook him, and then we should be as
right as rain"
He had mechanically filled his pipe and
was now about to light it, HeStopped, and
saw him ruefully counting the small
number of vestaS that remained in his box.
When they were gone. there would be nc
more smoking.
Il say, do you think you could smoke a
cigarette?" he asked hopefully. 'Baccy' )
a wonderful comfort at all times, but when
you're a bit piuched, you know
He pulled out his tobacco pouch tempt
iugly. told him would rather not try
it yet awhile.
Il think shall enjoy it more presently"
said he, putting his pipe in his pocket.
Then l noticed by the limpness of his
pouch as he put that away that his tobacco
was nearly all gone.
When we began to feel chilly, we walked
ON again, keeping under the trees with the
hope of finding some animal that might
serve US for food, the snowdrift that edged
the wood being our guide.
Gordon had provided himself with a
stout stick, but we saw no sign of living
creature the whole day, and the only thing
we found to eat was some frozen moss and
leathery kind of lichen. On and or
we went, skirting the edge of the plain
, through the interminable forest, until the
: light began to fade; then we went ont and
looked beyond the drift. Tho boundless
plain, with the edging of black pines, was
all we saw-nothing else.
. I'VE must think now of making our
T selves comfortable for the night" sait
Gordon as we re-entered the forest I'VE
will have good fire at any rate"
, Fuel was not wanting The edge of TIT
. wood was strewn with broken wood-limb b:
torn from the trees by the gales that sweep
, across the plain. or broken down in former
winters by the weight of ice and snow. w
collected great heap, and having built tn
, foundation of our fire Gordon, with inf
y mite care, struck one of his precious matche
t and lit the pile of dry leaves and fir cones
h knew then why he had refrained from
: smoking all day. Our lives depended Oh
= those vestas. for if they gave out before W
could get fresh supply we must freeze t
4 death.
a As soon as the fire was well alight w
!, scraped a narrow trench, about six fee
g long, in the thick bed of fir needles facin
Il the fire, and framing a kind of roof over
n with pine branches piled a mass of twig
L and rubbish of all kinds on top so as to eN
a clude the cold air. We both worked wit
- a will, leaving off now and then to put fires
II fuel on the fire, and when it was finishe
felt very we'll satisfied with our perform
ance
, Now" said Gordon when we had pu
- the finishing touch to the roof, creep il
side, mademoiselle, and see if you can get
a few hours sleep"
y But we have got to make another shelte
for you" said l.
a No; one will serve us both-turn an
~ turn about. 1t won't do to let the fire 6
n down, you know''-it was in this way
y disguised his fear of attack by wolves
~ and promise you to take my full share
" rest as soon as you have had yours
crept into the trench, and stretchin
"A myself out at full length found that IL
~ springy fir needles made n better bed tina
the hard planks of the kameras. 1t W,
a pleasantly warm, too. with the heat throw
out by the fire.
~ Gordon seated himself at the openin
n with his heavy stick beside him, and wit
~ deep sigh of satisfaction lit the first PHI
- of the day. 1t was good to see the hapT
content in his face as he slowly smoke.
~ letting the clouds issue slowly from h
- lips, and the leaping flames of the fire b
yond him. Indeed, but for the craving
= hunger, had no reason to complain, but
- good deal to be thankful for.
- 1t was not long before dropped OFF, ar
Id l slept soundly, as it seemed to me, for
az good long while But when awoke Go
be don declared that it was not yet time
Id think about changing the watch; so, n
l unwillingly, but perhaps selfshly,
TO dropped OF again.
1t, Iawoke . second time to find him 81
he patiently sitting on guard at my feet D