The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-07-14
THE LOST MAIL BAGS

OF Jhphn fcnccicd tnc tWlnknnR nights
from half n dozen vessels lying snugly
ut anchor. and westward behind the
town the moon shone dimly on the
snowclad plains and rugged slopes Of
the SilSota mountains. beyond which,
across the frozen waters Of the Amur,
stretched for thousands Of leagues tho
great Siberian desert Vladivostok
might almost be called the jumping
of place" Of the world. lying as 1t does
on tho very eastern extremity of the
great Russian empire.
A few years ago II was 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 a
Russian sentry, sounds Of mirth and
laughter floated from the brilliantly
lighted windows Of the long, low garri-
son house. for the commandment of the
station was giving dinner.
IL was quite cosmopolitan gathering
that filled the long table, for among the
guests were Russian, French and Eng
lish naval officers, and two or three
Anglo-lndians who had come up from
Shanghai on the mail steamer
The last course had been removed, and
tho quickened conversation that comes
with the cigars had just commenced,
when the cOmmandant was summoned
outside. and, when he returned mo
ment or two later. the most observant Of
the guests detected n faint shadow in
his face.
The assemblage broke up at late
hour, and as the guests passed out on
the way TO their vessels young French
officer cried out to the coinmandant:
What is the matter. mon capitaine?
You look sad and depressed"
Captain Shanoff laughed.
1T Is nothing, Lieutenant Garceau,"
he nothing but tho onerous
burden of official duties. However. If
you have on board your vessel man
with iron nerves and the bravery Of an
African lion you can send him to me-"
Tho Frenchman. taking this in Jest,
laughed and passed on with a CHEEKY
Eau 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. saw. though he did
not, that you We're in earnest, and now
! offer you my services"
The captain looked at him in surprise.
you are one Of the passengers by the
mail steamer from Shanghai" he said.
"Nou are correct, said the man. "My
name is Luke Mowbray, of the Indian
civil service.
And what is your object in making
this proposition asked the captain.
81 am fond of adventure and sport,
replied Mowbray. "Snce leaving India
| have had duh time of il. 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 a
seat and sat down facing him.
Now, said Captain Shanoff, IL will
explain my conversation with the
Frenchman as briefly as possible
Thirty miles from here, among the
Sikota mountains, there is small de-
tachment Of Russians engaged in mining
operations. Mail bags are conveyed to
them twice a week by native. who
makes the return journey in two DAYS.
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
month we have heard nothing of our
companions. 1t is profound mystery.
Tonight learn that no one can be found
who will undertake TO carry the mail
bag. The natives here are towards.
and what few men | have, while they
are good soldiers, are not the men to I'M
ravel mystery"
What is your theory" asked Now
bray, Robbers? Wild beastsg Or
could they have lost their wavy9
wild animals are scarce" said the
captain. There are no robbers in this
part Of Russia. aud the path. while
difficult, is plain"
when should the mail bag gos" went
on Mowbray
1T came by today's steamer. and
shoald leave early in the morning
replied Shanoff
We'll" said -Mowbray, the ad-
venture promises we'll will undertake
TO reach the encampment with the mail
bag"
Captain Shanof at first refused to
listen TO his proposition; but Mowbrav
insisted 20 firmly that he at last gave
reluctant consent.
Although be nesitated to incur the re-
spoIsibility that would assuredly fall on
his shoulders in case anything should
oeiall the brave young fellow, he was
secretly oyerjoyed at his good fortune.
for the strange disappearance Of the two