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

matter 10 conceal tier feelings under
the waichful eyes Of the overseers, but
they managed TO pass through the or
deal remarkably well, and nothing on-
CURED to arouse the sEspicions Of their
companions or Of tie guards. They as
sumed a dull, istless expression at Wort;
and deyou:cd their lunch with an APP
parent greed which they were far from
feeling.
AS for Platoff, he Kept purposely
away from them all day and joined the
other gang ON the return march at night
The evening yeriiicatiCn was another
dreaded ordeal, but II passed without
, incident, and five minutes later Maui
rice and his six companions were eating
supper in their cell. The chosen time
was at hand.
The dishes were taken away by one
of the guards, and the door was bolted
on the outside. Platoff waited until all
were stretched ON the platform, and
then he blew out the candle, leaving the
room III apparent darkness. 1t was not
entirely so, however, for dim glare
shone through the window from the
fires in the courtyard, which the guards
had built to warm themselves, and
when their eyes became accustomed tn
it the boys could see plainly every OBJ
ject In the room.
They remained quietly on their backs
until IL became evident that their fell
low prisoners were asleep. Platoff gave
the signal for action by rising cautious.
ly and moFing on tiptoe to the end of
the platform Satisfied with the inspec-
ton, he came back and whispered to the
boys, ''Lie very still and DOM make
sound.
Then crossing the room, he took the
bottle from its hiding place in the wall
and approached the sleeping men. Mau-
rice saw him tear strip of cloth from
his coat and apply it TO the bottle-two
or three tiIles, and Immediately Pc
culiar odor was perceptible in the room.
Platoff rapidly and cleverly applied
the chlOrofoIm to three of the sleeping
men and then turned to the fourth,
tall, repulsive rNffian of the name of
Jocka, who was lying ON his side with
his arms Oyer his face.
The saturated rag was within three
inches Of lis nose, when he suddenly
rose to an upright position, and, facing
Platoff, said in loud whisper: "Not so
fast, my friend! l thought something
was up, and have kept an eye on your
movements. If you are going to leave,
/ intend tc go with you. Oh, don't gee
angryl You can't help yourself, you see,
Be reasonable or / shall call in the
guard. How would you like that?"
The boys, trembling with fear at this
unexpected Interruption, awaited Pla-
tot answer. They were little prepared
for what followed. For brief moment
Platoff faced the ruffian, who was smil-
ing with the insolence of power, ard
then with fierce leap be clutched him
by the neck with one hand and with
the other forced the wet rag against his
nose.
For a few seconds the fellow strug-
gled furiously with arms and legs; then,
suddenly relaxing in Platoff's grasp, he
dropped Imply on the platform just as
Maurice and Phil hurried to the spot to
render assistance.
voice that showed how deeply he was
moved. "The scoundrel can't do Us any
harm now. 1t would have ruined our
plans to have had to take him along
hope the noise of the scuffle was net
heard in the CORRIDOR
"Listenl What's that?"
sit must be the guard" Whispered |
Maurice. "We are lost''
"Yes, you are right, said Platoff.
"The footsteps are coming this way. 1t |
is too late for concealment. He will |
smell the chloroform. Get behind the !
door there, quickl Such a chance of
escape is worth great odds, and I'm 60
ing to take them"
He had no time to say more. AS
Maurice and Phil darted to one side the
door creaked and opened A bar of
light shone in from lamp in the cor
ridor and was followed by sturdy Co.'S
sack, who entered in a stealthy man !
ner. His suspicious were well founded,
as he must have realized a moment
ldl6T. L olLho Ado-
tened on his throat, and he was pressed
bodily to the floor, unable to utter
sound.
1.-THE chloroform-quickp Whispered
Platoff.
Maurice seized the rag from the
platform and at his bidding held it to
the soldiers face.
"There, that will do" said Platoff,
md he laid bis burden quietly down.
He turned TO Maurice, his face white
,ud CHASTITY in the lamplight. eff they
discover Us now, we will be shot" he
TEAR off your clothes, quick
Don't lose-a secondl There is but one
llanCe left 10 Us. We must Try it. >"
''What DR. you niean?" demanded
Maurice in bewilderment.
W.