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

the water, penetrating deeper and deep
er into the forest.
The weather was slightly milder, but
the snow was still covered with firm
crust, and their feet made no impress
Sion on it as they turned aside from the
stream and assembled the hill.
The country was wild and rugged, |
more so than it had been at any time |
The forest was gloomy and dim, and |
the hills were gaunt and rocky, full of |
precipices and dark chasms.
"We are very near the Chinese bor-
der" said Platoff. "That is why the
scenery is SO wild and lonely. The
country is uninhabited.
Fortified by their long rest, the fugi-
tives travelled all that day at a rapid
pace. covering at least 20 miles, and
when twilight came on they halted
among heap of loose stones and made
themselves comfortable with the rugs
that Poussin had given them, and
which they had carried on their backs
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.
~ fear that he will be punished Sc
verely," he said. "The government will
never overlook such thing as this,
and yet he spoke as though he would be
able to make satisfactory explana-
| tion.''
"Yes, he did," said Maurice. Per
haps he has some influence at Vladivos-
tok."
EITHER that, "replied Platoff, cor he
is a man of wealth and can bride 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 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 a reconnois-
sance and returned in half an hour
with the welcome news that no intrud
ers were in the neighborhood.
~ think we can risk a little fire this
morning." he said, and gathered few
, pine cones and dried tips of branches
, | He lit them and held tin flask OF colo
! tea in the flames.
He smothered the fire with snow, ant
the warm beverage was grateful ad
J dition to the breakfast.
On that day they first journeyed TIVE
or three miles to the westward, draw
| ing still closer to the borders of Mongo
{ liza, and then headed slightly to tn
| southeast, where Vladivostok lay. In
. same wild and barren country prevail
5 ed, and Platoff marched with great eau
ton, keeping his revolver ready for i'm
Q mediate use and bidding Maurice q
Q the same. This was not from any fea
0 of meeting the Cossacks, for DANCE
| from this source was slight, but be
! cause they were now in neighborhoo
: freauented by large and ferocious tigers
and a casual encounter with one Q
these monarchs was not at all improt
! able.
Once huge footprints were seen ]
q the snow, and the boys felt their hal
IS beginning to rise on end.
On closer examination it was see
v that the marks had been made durin
, the last thaw, perhaps month before
n and were frozen solidly in the crust.
o In three whole days they met neitht
d tigers nor other peril, but marched Q
IS steadily to the south, sleeping at nigl
70 in crannies among the rocks. The fourt
" morning the air was warm, and TIL
( rain was falling. The long delayt
u spring had come at last.
4 "It's useless to travel, said Platof
"in this slush. We could not make ha
dozen miles. We will stay right he
g until the weather changes. Vladivostt
|. is less than 100 miles distant. Let tn
@ be a consolation to you.
40 Fortunately the camping place TIT
m had chosen the previous night was EN-
n nently suitable for protracted stay.
I'd was a shallow cavern followed fro
e.! the base of a high cliff and runnil
ne back half dozen feet, its face open,
s- course, and protected from wind al
he rain by thick screen of young fir tree
Thanks to Poussin's generosity 1t W
va needless to worry about food. They hi
m plenty and to spare. Still it was
We dreary four days that they spent in tn
Id rocky nook, with nothing to do but Ell
sleep and talk. 1t rained hard day a
II night; the snow faded away, the !
II. melted and the grass underneath
| NTH wing ranl