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


crimson-a rosy mist beneath which
the morning sun was creeping upward.
The atmosphere was clear and radiant,
revealing every tree and rock for miles
around. Still the horses sped on untir-
ingly, their nostrils white with foam,
their glossy fanks damp and steaming.
Platoff and Poussin were on the front
seat, Maurice and Phil behind. All
were grave and silent, scanning the
landscape intently, straining their ears
to catch the slightest sound.
It vas Maurice who sounded the
alarm. His sharp cry echoed on the
frosty air. His arm pointed straight to
the northward, and, turning quickly, all
saw on the rolling crest of distant hill
single black streak moving in SER
pentine course down the slope.
"Cossacksl' calculated Platof. "a
whole company at least. They are com.
ing at full speed.'
"Be calm," said Poussin. "They are
fully two miles distant. The time has
come to part
He touched up the horses, and they
dashed at furious gallop over the lev
ell ground. His companions, turning in
their seats, watched the approaching
soldiers until they gained the plain and
vanished behind the gentle undulations
of the road. A moment later the sledge
swept over a ridge, and Poussin drew
up the painting horses in the hollow Of
wooded ravine. A bubbling mountain
stream poured down from the hills and
emptied into the Ussum, some yards
distant
"There is no time to lose," said Pous-
sin as the fugitives sprang to the ground.
"Take these provisions, take a rug
apiece, strike back into the heart of the
hills and wade up the bed of the stream
until the road is out of sight. Make a
wide detour to reach Vladivostok. God
be with you and help you to escape!
There will be plenty of vessels in the
harbor at this time of year. Vladivos-
tok is now but ITO miles away by the
road. Do you need anything else?"
NO" exclaimed Platoff. "We have
everything. Heaven grant that no harm
comes to you! l have known many brave
men in my time, but none that would
have dared to do what you have done"-
"Go!" said Poussin huskily. Don't
delay. Remember must lead your pur-
suers far off the track that you may
have time to escape.
One at time they clasped the brave
merchants hand fervently and with
tears in their eyes.
"Goodby, goodbyr they called out
chokingly.
"Farewell!'' said Poussin. "God be
with you" And, bringing down the
whip on his restless horses, he swept up
the ravine and vanished from sight over
the pine crowned ridge.
The halt had been of less than two
minutes duration. The Cossacks were
still two miles in the rear, and the
chances of escape were good.
The fugitives had climbed out Of the
sledge on some loose stones that border
ed the stream.
Platoff led the way carefully down to
the waters edge, and, stepping fearless
ly in, they waded briskly up the shallow
channel, thus leaving no trace behind
to show that the sledge had been re-
lieved of its load at that point.
For fully a mile they remained in
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 ascended 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 rapid
pace, covering at least % miles, and
when twilight came on they halted
among heap of loose stones and made