San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-21

a fep strokes brought Pldtof to the half
unconscious man.
kept we'll back in the hills and had the
rare good fortune to avoid meeting any
one, though signs of human beings were
frequently encountered.
The boys endured their sufferings and
hardships with a stoicism that excited
Platoff's admiration, and their health
remained good.
As the first of April drew near they
began to hope for milder weather, but
as yet no change was visible. 1t re-
! n aimed cold, with occasional snow
storms of brief duration.
One evening, after weary march OF
30 miles or more, they discovered de-
serted cabin ON the banks of a mountain
stream. The wall was fitted with hunks,
and in the closet was found hard loaf
of bread-a welcome discovery, for food
had been very scarce during the past
week Soaked in water, this made
palatable meal, and the last crumb was
deyoured with relish
1--WE can keep warm without fire
tonight" said Platoff. II am afraid
we are near habitations.
'How far have we come" asked
Maurice, land how far do you suppose
it is to Vladivostok?"
THAT is a difficult question to an
swer," replied Platoff, "We have been
travelling in such a zigzag course that
the journey has been necessarily length
ened have tried to keep mental rec
ord, though, and can give you fair
idea of what we have done. We have
been OH the road nearly seven weeks,
and | think we have averaged nearly
100 miles a week. Taking off 100,
which is good allowance for our devil
atoms, we have marched 900 miles
down the Amur and are only 400 miles
from the ocean. Bear in mind, though,
that our most dangerous journey is
ahead, and that we may have to make
still greater circuits. "
"Then we are at least half way?"
said Maurice.
Eyes, half our journey is over, T" re-
piled Platoff. Heaven grant us equal
prosperity during the remainder.
The boys were agreeably surprised to
hear this. The whole distance covered
seemed to them very large. They did
not think of the long marches patiently
endured through nearly every day OF
these seven weeks.
"In the morning." resumed Platof,
1--WE will go down this stream toward
the river. Our rubles must now be turn
ed to some account. Food we must
have. If we continue eating this half
raw flesh, we will be i'll. F"
That was a long to be remembered
night The cabin was snugly sheltered
by the hills, and all enjoyed restful,
unbroken sleep until morning, dispens-
ing entirely with guard duty. They
were off at daybreak, after hasty
breakfast, and travelled rapidly down
the stream through thickly wooded
and rock strewn ravine. 1t was at least
four miles to the river, but little more
than an hours march brought them IN
sight of its frozen surface The hollow
was thickly wooded with pine and
spruce, and under its welcome cover
the-fugitives felt little fear.
"Ah, there is the post road, said
Platoff, and he pointed through break
in the trees to couple of tall telegraph
poles. They crept to its very edge, and
the boys looked with curiosity at the
smooth highway SCARED with recent
sled tracks A solid bridge of logs was
built across the stream, and not 20
yards off, down a slight incline, was
the Amur Not a hahitation was in
sight, only barren stretch of ice and
snow and wooded hills. Below the road