The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-12

me weep to think that the one would
lose so excellent son and the other
the best light cavalry officer he ever had
since La Sales time. But presently /
dashed the tears from my eyes. "Cour-
age!" cried, striking myself upon the
chest. Courage, my brave boy! Is 1t
possible that one who has come safely
from Moscow without so much as
frost bite will die in a French wine Gel
lar?" At the thought | was up on my
feet, and clutching at the letter in my
tunic. for the crackle of it gave me cour-
age.
My first plan was to set fire to the
house. in the hope of escaping in the
confusion. My second to get into an
empty wine cosk. l was looking round
to see if l could find one, when sud
denly in the corner l espied little,
low door, painted of the same gray
color as the wall, so that 1t was
only man with a quick sight
who would have noticed it. l pushed
against it and at first imagined that 1t
was locked. Presently, however, 1t gave
little, and then I understood that 1t
was held by the pressure of something
upon the other side. i put my feet
against a hogshead of wine and gave
such a push that the door flew open
and l came down with a crash upon
my back, the candle flying out of my
hands, SO that / found myself in dark
ness once more. l picked myself up
and stared through the black archway
into the gloom beyond.
There was slight ray Of light COM
ing from some slit or grating. THE
dawn had broken outside and | could
dimly see the long, curving sides of
several huge casks, which made me
think that perhaps this was where the
mayor kept his reserves of wine, while
they were maturing. At any rate, it
seemed to be a safer hiding place than
the outer cellar, So gathering up my
candle, / was just closing the door be-
hind me when / suddenly saw some
thing which filled me with amazement,
and even, / confess, with the smallest
little touch of fear
/ have said that at the further end of
I the cellar there was a dim, gray fan
of light, striking downward from some
where near the roof. Well, as l peered
through the darkness, l suddenly saw
a great, tall man skip into this belt of
daylight and then out again into the
blackness at the further end. My word,
| gave such a start that my busby
nearly broke its chin strap. 1t was
but a glance, but none the less l had
time to see that the fellow had hairy
Cossack cap on his head, and that he
was a great, long legged, broad Shout
| dered brigand, with saber at his
waist. Ny faith, even Etienne Gerard
was a little staggered at being left
alone with such a creature in the dark.
But only for monment. Courage"
/ thought. Am l not a hussar, brig
adler, too, at the age Of 81, and the
chosen messenger of the emperor"
After all, this skulker had more cause
to be afraid of me than / of him. And
then suddenly understood that he was
afraid-horribly afraid. l could read
it from his quick steps and his bent
| shoulders, as he ran among the bar
| rels, like a rat making for its hole.
| And of course, 1t must have been he
who had held. the door against me,
and not some packing case or wine
| cask, as l had imagined. He was the
pursued then, and | the pursuer. Aha,
felt my whiskers bristle as / advanced
upon him through the darkness He
would find that he had no chicken to
deal with, this robber from the north
For the moment | was magnificent.
At first | had feared to light my can.
die, lest i should make mark of my
self, but now, after cracking my shin
some canvas, l thought tho bolder
course the wiser. lit it, therefore, and
then advanced. Come out, you ras-
cal," l cried. Nothing can save you.
You will at last meet with your de-
serts."
| l held my candle high, and presently
l caught a glimpse of the mans head,
staring at me over barrel. He had
gold chevron on his black cap, and the
expression of his face told me in an in
stant that he was an officer and man
of refinement
| Monsieur" he cried, in excellent
French, Il surrender myself upon the
promise of quarter. But If l do not
have your promise / will then sell my
life as dearly as l can"
| Sir" said /, "a Frenchman knows
how to treat an unfortunate enemy.
Your life is safev' With that he handed
the sword over the top of the barrel,
and / bowed, with the candle upon my
heart. "Whom have 1 the. honor of
capturing?" / asked.
|. II am the Count Boutkine of the en-
peror's own Don Cossacks," said he.
Il came out with my troop to reconoiter
Senlis, and, as we found no sign of your
people, we determined to spend the
night here"
And would 1t be an indiscretion,"
asked, 'if I were to inquire how you
came into the back cellar?"
Nothing more simple" said he. at
was our intention to start at early
dawn. Feeling chilled after dressing,
thought that cup of wine would do me