Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-28

they dropped mechanically on the wood
en- platform.
It was difficult at first to realize the
full import Of Captain Daroman's words.
The truth dawned on them gradual.
", and their own fate was brought
more vividly to mind by the arrival OF
convict party from the mines, hag-
gard group of men, soaked to the skin,
who entered with a clanking Of chains
between a file of soldiers.
Toll and sleep, ever the same, without
rest or change-such is life at the
mines of Kara.
Platoff first fell into paro1ysm OF
anger, but it presently passed off, and
he went calmly to sleep, an example
which tbe boys, through sheer weari-
ness, were forced to initiate.
Maurice awoke first. A faint streak
of gray was shining through the dirty
window, and as be sat up rubbing his
eyes drum began to beat, and the con-
victs around him left their hard beds
without an instant's hesitation.
"Come," said Platoff, seizing Mau
rice by the shoulder; delay will insure
q speedy punishment.
Phil was up by this time, and they
Joined the crowd, who were pressing
forward toward the door. A Cossack
officer stood at the entrance, book in
hand, and at once proceeded with the
morning verification. The men answer
ed to their names as they were called
out and then scattered through the
room.
A few moments later breakfast was
served, consisting Of weak tea and black
rye bread, and as soon as this was over
the working parties were made up for
the day. Two gangs started from the
prison, each surrounded by squad of
Cossacks. Maurice and Platof were in
one of these, and Phil was in the other.
They marched past the few scattered log
buildings that surrounded the prison
and tramped for an hour or more up
the gloomy valley. The sky was dark
with clouds, and a fine snow was fall.
ing. The mining operations on the
Kara river had reached point some
distance from the settlement, thus fore
ing on the convicts the additional mis-
cry Of a long tramp through the snow
each morning and evening.
The gangs consisted Of 30 men each,
and as soon as they reached the spot
work was begun. Each party was in
structed by an officer, while the Cos
sacks, drawing complete Gordon
around the convicts, built fires to keep
themselves comfortable.
The gold bearing sands along the
banks of the Kara river lie buried un-
der a stratum of clay and gravel vary
ing in depth from 10 to 20 feet. This
is dug out by picks and carted away
until the bed of sand is exposed, and the
gold is washed out by rude hoppers
Under the watchful eyes of the over
seer the men labored INCREASINGLY. 1t
was sad sight, the grim soldiers pac-
ing through the drifting snow or group.
ed about the fires, the wretched toilers
bending to their work with aching
limbs, and in fitting harmony were the
clank of chains, the creak Of the wheel
barrows and the monotonous tap of the
picks To Maurice this unaccustomed
labor was especially severe. In short
time his back ached and his hands were
blistered. Platoff tried to encourage
him from time to time, but be as CON-
pelled more than once to stop work
from exhaustion. The overseer showed
some leniency toward those convicts
who had just arrived from Irkutsk, and
these short periods of rest were not re-
buked. At midday lunch of tea and
bread was served, and then the labor
continued without intermission until
late in the afternoon.
They marched back to the prison at
sunset, so weary that every step was
torture. The principal meal of the day
was now served, consisting of weak
soup, rye bread and a small quantity OF
meat, and then the convicts went to
sleep in rows on the bare platforms,
some with their coats rolled up for pill
lows, others without pillows at all. 10
Maurice and Phil the first week at the
mines was a period of horror, and for
the first time they began to realize the
unutterable misery Of their situation.
Platoff, with whom they were still able
to converse at night, gave them no
hope, and indeed they could see for
themselves how perilous an attempt to
escape would prove under the circum-
stances One poor fellow had made a
dash for liberty while returning from
the mines at sundown, and his bullet
riddled body was brought to the prison
on plank.
"Try to keep up your courage and
wait" said Platoff. "That is oil l can
tell you. 1t may be that harder times
are before US. Captain Daroman was
summoned away the day after we ar
rived here When he returns, we shall
feel the change. Do you wonder now
that men turn against the czar and his
government
"No," said Phil, with bitter laugh.
II am surprised at nothing, Platoff,
and 1 am Getting desperate myself.
Some day shall lose all control and
turn on these fiends.
Platoff looked at the lad grimly,