Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1894-06-08
sT MAIL BAGS

az anchor, ana westward Denlnd tne
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,
for thousands of leagues the |
great Siberian desert. Vladivostok |
might almost be called the jumping
off place" of the world, lying as it does
on the very eastern extremity of the
great Russian empire.
A few years ago it 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 foated from the brilliantly
lighted windows Of the long, low garri-
son house, for the commandant of the
station was giving dinner.
1t was quite cosmopolitan gathering
that filled the long table, for among the
guests were Russian, French and Eng
fish naval officers, and two or three
Anglo Indians who had come up 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 commandant was summoned
outside, and. when he returned mo-
ment or two later, the most observant of
the guests detected 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 conmandant:
What is the matter, mon capitaine?
You look sad and depressed.
Captain Shanoff laughed.
ut is nothing, Lieutenant Garceau,
| he replied-.'nothing but the onerous
burden of official duties. However, if
| you have on board your vessel man
with iron nerves and the bravery of al
African lion you can send him to me-"
| The 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 Shanoff, pardon my intru
sion. | heard your conversation witt
the Frenchman. saw, though he die
not, that you were in earnest, and nov
offer you my services"
The captain looked at him in surprise
"You are one of the passengers by tn,
mail steamer from Shanghai? he said.
"You are correct" said the man. ''My
name is Luke Mowbray, of the Indian
civil service"
"And what is your object in making
this propositionT asked the captain.
81 am fond of adventure and sport,
replied Mowbray. ''Since leaving Indi;
have had dull time of it, and m,
chance for excitement and change will
be doubly welcome.
The Russian captain stood in hesita
ton for moment, and then leading tn
way silently to an apartment beyond tn
dining hall he motioned Mowbray to
seat and sat down facing him.
Now" said Captain Shanoff, 81 will
explain my conversation with tn
Frenchman as briefly as possible
Thirty miles from here, among tn
Sikota mountains, there is small de
tachment of Russians engaged in mimi!
operations. Mail bags are conveyed t.
them twice week by native, win
makes the return journey in two days
A month ago the carrier left Vladiyo
stok for the encampment. He has no
been heard of since. Two weeks ago
second carrier started, and he, too, ha
completely disappeared. For more thai
month we have heard nothing of on
companions. 1t is a profound mystery
Tonight learn that no one can be foun,
who will undertake to carry the mai
bag. The natives here are towards
and what few men l have, while the
are good soldiers, are not the men to un
ravel a mystery"
what is your theory" asked Now
bray, Robbers? Wild beasts? o
could they have lost their way?"
wild animals are scarce" said tn
captain. "There are no robbers in thi
| part VI nuSsia, anu tne pain, Will
difficult, is plain"
when should the mail bag go?" wen
on Mowbray.
1T came by today's steamer, an
should leave early in the morning,
replied Shanoff.
WELL" said Mowbray, 1.-THE at
venture promises well. Twill undertak
! to reach the encampment with the ma
bag"
Captain Shanoff at first refused I
listen to his proposition; but Mowbra
insisted so firmly that he at last gave
reluctant consent.
Although he hesitated to incur the t,
sponsibility that would assuredly fall o
his shoulders in case anything shout
befall the brave young fellow, he wa