Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-18


all that day. Not daring to light a fire,
they ate their supper cold, and then,
not being able to sleep, talked for an
hour or more over the situation.
Platoff was much distressed about
Poussin.
81 fear that be will be punished Be-
verely, be said. "The government will
never overlook such thing as this,
and yet be spoke as though he would be
able to make a satisfactory explana-
tion."
eyes, he did," said Maurice. "Per-
haps he has some influence at Vladivos-
tok."
EITHER that, "replied Platoff, "or he
is a man of wealth and can bribe the
officials to overlook his indiscretion
Money is powerful agent in this part
of Siberia, 5000 miles from st. Peters
burg"
"How about the pursuit." asked
Maurice.
"Well," said Platoff, "of course they
will make an effort to scour the coun-
try, but we can readily avoid the SOL
diers. The coast will be closely watch
ed, though, and that is where we will
encounter the most difficulty. At pres
ent we have little to fear. You must
remember that our identity may not
even be suspected yet, although the dis
covery must be made sooner or later.
Don't worry over the situation, but
keep up your courage" And with this
admonition Platoff wrapped himself
tighter in his rug and went calmly to
sleep.
Maurice and Phil did not remain
long awake. The spot they had chosen
was q sheltered nook between dozen
big rocks, into which no cool wind
could penetrate, and all slept as only
weary men can, waking strengthened
and refreshed at early dawn.
Platoff slipped away'on reconnois-
sance and returned in half an hour
with the welcome news that no intrud-
ers were in the neighborhood.
81 think we can risk little fire this
morning." he said, and gathered few
pine cones and dried tips of branches.
He lit them and held tin flask Of cold
tea in the flames.
He smotbered the fire with snow, and
the warm beverage was grateful ad'
dition to the breakfast.
On that day they first journeyed two
or three miles to the westward, draw.
ing still closer to the borders of Mongo'
liza, and then headed slightly to the
southeast, where Vladivostok lay. The
same wild and barren country prevail
ed, and Platof marched with great eau
tion, keeping his revolver ready for i'm
mediate use and bidding Maurice dc
the same. This was not from any fear
of meeting the Cossacks, for danger
from this source was slight, but be-
cause they were now in a neighborbood
frequented by large and ferocious tigers,
and a casual encounter with one OF
these monarchs was not at all improb-
able.
Once huge footprints were seen in
the snow, and the boys felt their hair
beginning to rise on end.
On closer examination it was seen
that the marks had been made during
the last thaw, perhaps month before,
and were frozen solidly in the crust.
In three whole days they met neither
tigers nor other peril, but marched on
steadily to the south, sleeping at night
in crannies among the rocks. The fourth
morning the air was warm, and thin
rain was falling. The long delayed
spring had come at last.
"It's useless to travel" said Platof,
"in this slush. We could not make half
a dozen miles. We will stay right here
until the weather changes. Vladivostok
is less than 100 miles distant. Let that
be a consolation to you.
Fortunately the camping place they
had chosen the previous night was emi-
nently suitable for protracted stay. 1t
was a shallow cavern followed from
the base of a high cliff and running
back half dozen feet, its face open, of
course, and protected from wind and
rain by thick screen of young fir trees.
Thanks to PousSin's generosity it was
needless to worry about food. They had
plenty and to spare. Still it was a
dreary four days that they spent in that
rocky nook, with nothing to do but eas,
sleep and talk. 1t rained hard day and
night; the snow faded away, the ice
melted and the grass underneath be-
gan to spring up with amazing rapid
ity. In four short days winter yielded
to spring, and frozen Siberia was bios.
soming paradise.
"The ice is breaking on the rivers, ="
said Platoff, land in the harbor of Via
divostok. The ships will anchor now iu
the Golden Horn, and the flags Of all
nations will float in the breeze"
On the morning Of the fifth day the
march was resumed. The sun was shin
ing from cloudless sky, and birds
were singing sweetly in the forest.
The fugitlves pressed forward with
elastic step, snuffing the crisp, cool at
mosphere and bathing their faces in
the warm sunlight that penetrated the
foliage.
At noon they halted beside spring
Of ice water. They ate hearty meal,
and then, slightly fatigued by the brisk
tI l.