Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-06-30
THE LOST MAI. BAGS

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town the moon shone dimly on the
snowclad plains and rugged slopes Of
the Sikota mountains, beyond which,
across the frozen waters Of the Amur,
stretched for thousands Of leagues the
great Siberian desert. vladivostok
might almost be called the jumping
of place" Of the world, lying as It does
on the very eastern extremity Of the
great Russian empire.
A few years ago IL was q barren spit
Of land, uninhabited and forlorn. Now
the Russian drum beats at sunrise, and
ships Of all nations float their flags in
the harbor.
On this particular evening, while in
the narrow street Of the town all was
silent save for the occasional tread Of .
Russian sentry. sounds Of mirth and
laughter foated from the brilliantly
lighted windows of the long, low garri-
son house. for the commsndant Of the
station was giving Q dinner.
IL was quite cosmopolitan gathering
that filed the long table, for among the
guests were Russian, French and Eng
lish naval officers, and two or three
Anglo-indians who had come mp from
Shanghai on the mail steamer.
The last course had been removed, and
the quickened conversation that comes
with the cigars had just commenced,
when the cornmandant was summoned
outside, and, when he returned q mo-
ment or two later, the most observant of
the guests detected faint shadow in
his face.
The assemblage broke mp at late
hour. and as the guests passed out ON
the way to their vessels young French
officer cried out to the commandant;
'.What is the matter, mon capitainei
you look sad and depressed"
Captain Shanoff laughed.
"It Is nothing, Lieutenant 0arceau, "
he replied-''nothing but the onerous
burden OF official duties. However, II
you have on board your vessel man
with iron nerves and the bravery OF an
African lion you can send him TO me-
The Frenchman. taking this in jest,
laughed and passed on with o CHEEKY
Ian revoir."
One young man, who had overheard
this brief conversation, purposely lin
gered till the last, and as the command.
ant held out his hand TO bid him good
night he said;
Captain Shanof. pardon my intru-
sion. heard your conversation with
the Frenchman. l saw, though he did
not, that you were In earnest. and now
! offer you my services"
The captain looked ut him In surprise.
.You are one Of the passengers by the
mail steamer from ShanghaiY' he said.
"You are correct, said the man. .sMy
name Is Luke Mowbray. Of the Indian
civil service"
"And what Is your object in making
this propositionY" asked the captain.
II am fond Of adventure and sport, =
replied Mowbray. Since leaving India
l have had dull time Of ii, and my
chance for excitement and change will
be doubly welcome"
The Russian captain stood in hesita-
ton for moment, and then leading the
way silently TO an apartment beyond the
dining hall he motioned Mowbray to q
seat and sat down facing him.
'sNow." said Captain Shanoff, ~ will
explain my conversation with the
Frenchman a. briefly a. possible.
Thirty miles from here, among the
Sikota mountains, there 10 Q small de-
tachment Of Russians engaged in mining
operations. Mail bags ara conveyed 10
them twice a week by q native, who
makes the return journey in two days.
A month ago the carrier left vladivo-
stok for the encampment. He has not
been heard Of since. Two weeks ago a
second carrier started, and he, too, has
completely disappeared. For more than
q month we have heard nothing OF our
companions. II is q profound mystery.
Tonight learn that no one can be found
who will undertake 10 carry the mail
bag. The natives here are towards,
and what few men ! have, while they
are good soldiers, are not the men TO un-
ravel q mystery"
What IL your theoryr asked Now
bray, .Robbers2 Wild beasts? Or
could they have lost their wayy''
wild animals are scarce" said the
captain. There are no robbers In this
part OF Russia, and the path, while
difficult, Is plain"
when should the mail bag gos" went
on Mowbray.
1T came by today's steamer, and
should leave early in the morning.
replied Shanosf.
swell," said Mowbray, 1.-THE ad-