Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-14
CHAPTER XXXIV.
W MAKE OUR EsCArE.

Ii was getting dark when we over
took a train OF miserable convicts
| marching with clanking chains along
| the road. About an hour later we
reached the etape, where we were to
stay for the night
had heard much OF the horrors OF
these stations and the loathsome ''ka-
meras," or sleeping places, in which the
cOnvicts were berded, and ] had seen
them ia the collections Of paintings ex-
| hiOited by Taras j was therefore as
tonished TO find the log hut In which
passed the night so decent and habita-
bic. IL was not overcrowded. There
vas rough carpet on the floor, and the
only real hardship was the absence OF
| bed and bedding, for we had to sleep on
a slopiug board and in our clothes.
was much better of than my com
panon, who was thrust into den built
70 accommodate $50 prisoners, with no
less than 7lO criminals Of all sorts, and
! the horrors OF that night were more,
believe, than he could make light OF,
for he was extremely reticent upon the
subject. All that he told me was that
he had found no room TO lie down and
had bfeathed little atmosphere Of his
own by smoking all night.
However" he said cheerfully.
that's all past, and shall make up for
sleepless night by good long snOoze
this afternoon-if we don't come 10 the
end OF our journey before"
We went on by another mail sledge,
but with the same guard who had left
ST. Petersburg with US.
These two Cossacks never left us
throughout our long journey, which
continued without any break, save the
] Is t.nfF IT,
three weeks after we had passed
through Moscow. Soon after leaving
that city behind us ! noticed a change
TO poor Gordon. His spirits seemed 10
be losing their elasticity, his gsyety 10
be little forced, his pipe more neces-
sarY.
But despite the bitter reflections that
! must have arisen 10 his mind his atti-
tnde toward me displayed no sign OF an
mostly There was no lapse lu his
geutleness aud tender consideration for
ny comfort. His Kindness was uu-
varying. our common misfortune.
which I thought would embitter our
hearts, served only as q link Of sympa-
thy 90 hold as together.
Gordon stu spoke hopefully, though
al rare and rsrer intervals, OF our be-
| ing recalled 40 81. Petersburg. but FOR
T
| Of any revolution VI our fate when an
accident occurred which gave new
turn 20 our fortunes.
one night / was awakened By a
strange cutlery of distant voices AsI
turned upon tho wooden platform that
served as my sleeping place, the woman
I next to me, who had already sprung no.
cried
"Holy God. we are on Gre"
At that cry aII OF us slipped 20 the
/ ground in @ moment, with Mingled ex-
| clamations Of dismay.
The kamcra was fuIl o. smoke--it
/ chOked usas we breathed-aud through
! the one small cascmenta dull red glow
| fell upon us. when we perceived that
| 10 was not our kamcra, but another.
/ which was in flames, we concluded that
/ 10 must be ono in which the men were
] confined, and thfiekiug the names OF
/ our friends we rushed 40 the door, vain
/ ly trying 90 burst 10 open.
/ The muGied clamor Of voices told us
! that the men we're still shut No. sud
/ denly there was q great outhurst or
voices as they forced their door, and
I the next instant they were crying Co us
/ from the outside of our nut and beat
| ing furiOusly al tue door which separ-
| ated u.s. We stood back az The heavy
\ panles creaked under the pressure OF
I sturdy shoulders. and presently o.
mighty thrust burst the lock away, and
! the door few back.
In the midst Of the wild confusion