The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-04

"Whut are your UufpcSl' nc uSkeU VcTCcty.
attack OH the czar's storehouse? Did
you think to escape the penalty of those
misdeeds? Justice does not sleep in
Russia. You were tried and convicted
without your knowledge. Sentence was
given-you say you did not know it2
Very well, / have the decree Of SEN
tence here. 1t is enough for you to
know that you are condemned to work
out your time at hard labor in the mines
instead of idling in political prison.
In me you will have no lenient task
master. / shall exact the fullest obedi-
ence. know how to deal with fellows
like you. Now go and be prepared in
the morning to handle your picks in
the czar's gold mines"
Captain Daroman turned haughtily
away, and the crowd pressed forward,
dragging Maurice and his companions
with them.
Dazed by what they had just heard,
they dropped mechanically on the wood
en- platform.
It was difficult at first to realize the
full import of Captain Daroman' 8 words.
The truth dawned ON them gradual
", and their own fate was brought
more wildly to mind by the arrival OF
a convict party from the mines, a hag-
gard group of men, soaked to the skin,
who entered with a clanking of chains
between 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 paroxysm Of
anger, but it presently passed off, and
ne went calmly to sleep, an example
which the 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 he 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 Maui
rice by the shoulder; delay will insure
a 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
4 Cossacks. Maurice and Platoff 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 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 long tramp through the snow
each morning and evening.
The gangs consisted of 20 men each,
and as soon as they reached the spot
work was begun. Each party was IN
structed by an officer, while the Co.'S
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 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. II
was n sad sight, the grim soldiers pac'