San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-14


spite of their efforts the-location Of the
cave remained undiscovered. With
nervous haste they went over the
ground again and again, afraid to con-
fess their own fears.
Finally Maurice crept to the verge of
the cliff and looked down. The rock
had a sheer descent for distance of 40
or 90 feet AT its base the hill sloped
more gradually toward the valley. Four
feet below the edge was narrow plat
form on which grew few scrubby pine
shoots.
Impelled by a singular impulse,
Maurice cautiously lowered himself to
this edge, and STOPPING low was con-
fronted by hole of impenetrable black
ness.
1.-THE cave, the caveP' he cried, and
Platoff and Phil were quickly at his side
Together they crawled into the open
ing, which led downward at sharp
angle. The passage became wider and
higher, and in short time they reach.
ed level space.
II have found something" exclaim-
ed Platoff, who was ahead. CLOTHES,
firearms-yes, and Matches" he added
joyously; ga tin box of matches. 4"
The boys heard something rattle, and
then their eyes were blinded by bright
light. They were able to see clearly in
a moment, and the sight that met their
gaze was strange one. They were
standing in circular cavern 20 feet in
diameter and 6 feet or more in height.
The floor and walls were dry, and the
atmosphere was warm and pleasant.
"Here are the things which that
brave girl has provided" Said Platoff,
pointing to heap on the floor. "She
has overlooked nothing. There are even
candles. +" And taking one from box he
lit it with the burning match and
placed it in a crevice ON the floor. With
trembling hands they turned over the
articles, uttering cries of delight at ev-
cry new discovery.
There were three complete outfits of
clothes, coarse, heavy garments such as
are worn by the Russian peasants, in
| GLIDING trousers, flannel shirts and
thick warm coats. In a canvas bag
were two silver mounted reyolvers,
with accompanying boxes of shells, and
sharp knife in a sheath, while anoth-
er and larger bag contained supply of
provisions, bread, tea and dried meat,
enough for two weeks at least, Platoff
declared.
In addition there were a dozen can
dies, while it remained for Maurice to
make the most important find of all, in
Platoff's estimation-a leathern belt,
which proved to contain 100 rubles in
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 | believe that we can reach
yladivostok in safety. Heaven bless
that noble grill" Platoff broke off alb
ruptly, and covering his face with his
hands sank to the floor overcome with
emotion.
The boys, too, lost all control of their
feelings. Phil sobbed aloud, and Mau-
rice, with an overlooking heart, knelt
on the rocks and uttered grateful
prayer.
At last Platoff rose to his feet and
dashed the moisture from his eyes.
"We had better change our clothes, !"
he said, cor we shall be ill from that
long journey in the water" This sug-
gestion was welcomed, and the boys
flung off their wet garments with all
haste. Their new attire proved to be
an excellent fit, so much SO, indeed,
that Platoff's curiosity was aroused.
eff that girl knew nothing of your
companions, he observed shrewdly,
chow did she choose such suitable gar
ments?"
"She probably had seen both Phil
and me-" replied Maurice with a
smile, land knowing that my third
companion was to be Russian she nat
urally procured larger set of clothes
You Russians are big race, you see. "
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 a 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 a soft spot
in his heart for a nation that could pro-
duce such specimens of young woman
! hood
Sleep was impossible under the cir
cumstances, and all remained awake
until a faint gray streak shining into
the cavern announced the approach OF
dawn. Platoff crept to the entrance to
make a reconnaissance.
"All is we'll, +" he 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 long
ago. And BESIDES" he added, "they
would. never search for us here. 1t il
even probable that when they fail tt