Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-08

with accompanying boxes Of shells, and
! sharp knife in sheath, while anoth
er and larger bag contained q supply o1
provisions, bread, tea and dried meat
enough for two weeks at least, Platof
declared.
In addition there were dozen can.
dies, while it remained for Maurice tc
make the most important find Of all. II
Platoff's estimation-a leathern belt,
which proved to contain 100 rubles II
silver.
"With that money" asserted the
Russian, 1--WE can purchase food along
the way, and we shall be regarded
with less suspicion. Everything Is now
in our favor. l believe that we can reach
Vladivostok in safety. Heaven bless
that noble girlr' Platoff broke OFF ab'
ruptly, and covering his face with his
hands sank to the floor overcome with
emotion.
The boys, too, lost all control Of theil
feelings. Phil sobbed aloud, and Mau-
rice, with an overfowing heart, knelt
on the rocks and uttered grateful
prayer.
At last Platof rose to his feet and
dashed the moisture from his eyes.
"We had better change our clothes, u
he said, "or we shall be i'll from that
long journey In the water" " This sug'
gestion was welcomed, and the boys
flung off their wet garments with al.
haste. Their new attire proved to be
an excellent fit, so much 30, indeed,
that Platoff's curiosity was aroused.
"If that girl knew nothing Of You,
companions" be observed shrewdly,
show did she choose such suitable gar.
ments?"
"She probably had seen both Phi
and me-" replied Maurice with 6
smile, "and know & that my THIRD
companion was to be i Russian she nat.
urally procured larger set Of clothes.
You Russians are a big race, you see. u
eyes, yes, that's it," remarked Pla-
toff, we'll satisfied with the explana.
tion.
How the brave maiden had succeed.
ed in getting the things and conveying
them to the cavern was problem none
could clearly understand. 1t had I'M.
doubtedly been accomplished with con.
siderable risk to herself, with help from
other arms. From that moment Mau.
rice felt that in spite Of his unjust treat
ment he would always have soft spot
in his heart for nation that could pro
duce such specimens Of young woman.
hood.
Sleep was impossible under the cir.
cumstances, and all remained awake
until faint gray streak shining into
the cavern announced the approach Of
dawn. Platoff crept to the entrance tt
make a reconnaissance.
"All is WE'LL" be declared on his re-
turn. "Our hiding place is perfectly
safe. The pine scrubs on the ledge hide
it completely. 1t is showing hard, and
our footprints have been destroyed Ions
ago. And besides," he added, "theJ
would never search for us here. It II
even probable that when they fail tx
discover us they will believe we have
perished under the snow and will aban
don the pursuit. We will remain her
for a week al least, probably tw'
weeks. Then it will be safe to start. I"
"What kind of country must we trav
el through" asked Maurice. "Is /
wild2"
eyes," said Platoff, "the valley o
the Amur is wild and desolate. Th
post road follows the river, Of course
with stations at long intervals, but W
must avoid that. There are wolves ant
deer in the hills and fish in the river
while in the vicinity Of Vladivostol
fierce tigers are said to abound. Blu
with our arms we need have little caus
for fear" Platof spoke more fully con
oerning the valley Of the Amur, an
swering the boys questions with
readiness that proved him to be ao
quainted with the general nature Of tn
country.
At last, after a hearty meal, thu.
went to sleep with feeling of absolute
security.
When they awoke, it was apparent!
late in the afternoon. It was still snow
ing, and 30 thickly that from the moutl
of the cavern it was impossible to se
any distance into the valley.
For several days this storm contin
ued. and the fugitives felt thankful in