The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-09-20

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 l have, while they
are good soldiers, are not the men to I'M
ravel a mystery"
What is your theory" asked Now
bray, Robbers? Wild beasts? Or
could they have lost their way?"
"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 go? went
on Mowbray.
at came by today's steamer, and
should leave early in the morning."
replied Shanoff.
"Well," said Mowbray, "the ad-
venture promises well. Twill undertake
to reach the encampment with the mail
bag"
Captain Shanoff at first refused TO
listen to his proposition; but Mowbray
insisted so firmly that he at last gave
reluctant consent.
Although he hesitated to incur the re-
sponsibility that would assuredly fall on
his shoulders in case anything should
befall the brave young fellow, he was
secretly overjoyed at his good fortune,
for the strange disappearance of the two
natives mad produced such an effect
upon both natives and soldiers that no
one could be found in Vladivostok who
would undertake the journey.
Moreover, the captain had a grave sus-
picion that the native carriers might
have fled into the interior with the mail
bag, for strangely enough the missing
men were brothers.
This suspicion, however, was of the
vaguest, for what possible motive could
two ignorant natives have for stealing a
lot of worthless letters and fleeing into
On almost uninhabited desert?
Before day broke on the following
morning Luke Mowbray slipped secretly
and noiselessly out of Vladivostok, and
turned westward toward the pine
crowned ridges of the Sikota range.
He rode the commentaries horse and
wore huge pair of boots the Russian
had lent him. Before him on the saddle
rested the mail bag, and in his right
hand he carried a loaded revolver
ready for instant use.
1t was broad daylight when he crossed
the plain and rode into the mountains
He had little fear of losing his way, fol
Captain Shanoff had impressed the roat
carefully upon his mind, and to furthe:
aid him the trees were marked with al
ak at short intervals.
Luke was troubled with no mlsglv
ings as his horse slowly picked his wa.
over the frozen ground. He was one
those adventurous fellows who roam tn
world over seeking out strange place
and untrodden paths, and he was keenl
enjoying this little Siberian excursion.
Captain Shanoff had truly declare
? the road to be bad. For ten miles it lie
up and down hill, over stones and falle
trees, and more than once Luke had I
> dismount and lead the horse over SON
5 unusually bad spot.
{ About noon he reached the top of TT
1 highest ridge and made brief halt II
, lunch. The valley below him WI
thickly wooded and was deep and ma
. row. The roaa led through it for SIEVE
Y or eight miles, and then, the captain hf
said, it crossed gap in the mountain
at a point only three miles distant fro
l. the mining camp.
l. 1t had suddenly grown colder, and t.
d air was keen and biting as Luke ro
slowly down the mountain side. L
/ valley was wild and desolate, and Lu
h had to admit to himself as he spurred
d his horse that it was very uncomfor
w BILE bit of country.
For the first time in his RECOLLECTION
e. strange feeling of uneasiness crept grs
10 ually over him, and he tried in vain
shake off its influence. To make m
" ters worse, fine snow began to Co
IN down and the sky grew dark and gloon
Luke was by no means superstltlo
,g but the idea now took firm possession
him that some great peril was approa
:" ing. and for moment he wished t
ia he had not volunteered for such an
nv certain piece of business. Then he 81
i'll angry with himself.
"What nonsenseW he cried half alo
la And whipping up his horse ne
he loped at swifter pace up the val
he skimming over the crusted snow,
/, a leaning over rocks and bushes until
forest dwindled to the edge OF a cl
ill ing, long, low bit of ground, ur
he lated with hillocks of drifted snow.
lie. On the very edge his horse stopped
The shifted the air uneasily. Then he das
de- forward with start, almost unsea
ing his rider.
to On the frozen ground was some
tho object, and as Luke with dime
va nulled his horse up short he saw, WI
yo. thrill of horror, that it was mail
not similar to the one he carried.
o a 1t was lying half under the snow,
has ~ he dismounted and tried to pu
nan loose he discovered dark red stain
our the frozen crest. Horror stricken
,rv stood still in amazement, forgettll