San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-21
THE : SUNDAY : LIGHT.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER q, 1897.

sun was going down redly over the
pine crowned hills to the westward,
they reached a small Siberian village,
Vastak by name, and drove into the
spacious yard of the station. Sleepy
looking peasants in gay costumes were
standing about in the street, and few
soldiers were visible. The station house
was larger than many of its kind, and
at Nicolas Poussin's request the staros-
ia gave the travellers small private
room, and presently brought in dishes
of bread, meat and cheese and steam
ing samovar. In the middle of the re-
past Russian officer entered, and with
many apologies requested their pass
ports.
He glanced them over briefly and
bowed his way out
As the door closed Nicolas Poussin
drew small map from his pocket and
spread it out ON the table.
81 will show you where we are" he
said abruptly. lyon remember that
we left the Amur some days ago and
turned up the bed of the Ussuri. Here,
you see, is the Amur running to the
northeast, while the Ussuri flows di-
rectly north. Consequently we are trav-
cling south. We have reached this
point" designating spot on the map,
land now Vladivostok is but 200 miles
away. have brought you farther than
hoped to do. You see it will be dan
gerous to continue the use of these pass
ports, for the men whose names you
bear are known to many of the officials
between here and the Pacific. For your
safety and mine We must part. will
provide you with sufficient food, and if
you are cautious you will reach the
coast in safety"
"Yes, you are right" said Platoff
with emotion. Tomorrow we will
leave you. Better that we should take
the risks of recapture than
"Stop," said Poussin. You forget.
Iwish to hear nothing. l don't know
who you are, understand, or where you
are going You saved my life. That is
all choose to remember.
A commotion was Suddenly heard out
side, and he turned to the window. The
interest depicted on his face drew his
companions to the spot. Out in the sta
ton yard Cossack surrounded by an
inquisitive crowd was mailing a big
white placard to one of the gateposts.
The distance was too great to distin-
guish its contents Maurice and Platoff
exchanged significant chances, but be-
fore they could speak the starosta flung
open the door and entered.
"a courier has arrived with procla-
nations" he said breathlessly. at
seems that the escaped convicts who
were seen near Toluar have eluded pur-
suit and cannot be found. OF course
they have not reached this neighbor-
hood yet, but the government wishes to
be on the safe side, and so they are post
ing notices from station to station"
"Ah," said Poussin coolly, eve
have heard something of that on our
way. And so they have slipped off from
the soldiers, have they? Well, they will
be caught sooner or later. Have you
one of the placards with you? 1t would
be wise for us to read the descriptions
in case we run across the fellows"
The starosta rushed out of the room
and into the yard.
keep cool, said Poussin "There is
not the slightest cause for fear. l saw
these placards a month ago."
The fellow was back in an instant,
paper in hand. Here, you read it; my
eyes are bad," said Poussin, and he
handed it to Platoff.
Maurice, to conceal his emotion, turn
ed to the samovar and drew cup of
tea, but Platoff coolly took the paper
and read aloud in firm, clear voice:
TWO THOUSAND RUBLES REWARD.
The above sum will be paid for the arrest Of
three convicts who escaped in February from
the mines at Kara; one tall and light haired,
his companions Of medium height, and dark. At
the time Of their escape two Of them wore the
prison garb; the. other was attired in a Cos
sack uniform.
They are jOurneying down the Amur valley,
and all persons are hereby warned to extend
no aid whatever under the severest penalties.
GENERAL MEJIKoFF,
Governor of the Mines of Kara.
Rather a meager description, said
Platoff, laying the paper aside.
"Ah, but their Clothes" exclaimed
the starosta "That is a sure identified.
ton. 1t is impossible that they could
z have procured others"
"Were the convicts still wearing the
prison clothes when seen near Toluar?'
asked Poussin suddenly.
at was not the men who were seen, ~
said the starosta, "only traces of them,
a trail in the snow-and hot ashes OF
fire."
Platoff darted reassuring glance at
Maurice.
swell, my good man," broke in
Poussin, depend upon it the rascals
will be captured, and serve them right,
and now be sure to have fresh relay
of horses ready at early dawn. must
reach Vladivostok before warm spell
sets in
The starosta promised obedience and
left the room.
"a good sleep will be necessary, -
said Poussin. "We shall have a hard
days journey tomorrow" He spread
his rugs on the floor and stretched him