San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-28


not?''
Eyes, " said Daroman coolly. 81 shot
the foremost fellow In the head. He
fell back, and his comrade carried him
off down the hill. They did not look
for such warm reception. They have
been lurking in the neighborhood for
several days. They discovered my tracks
in the snow and hoped to capture me.
They are only stragglers, but larger
bodies of troops are not far away. That
is why we must leave the locality at
once OF course you are trying to reach
the seaport"
Yes said Maurice reluctantly;
"that is our object"
"Well," said Daroman, 81 shall be
glad to accompany you. / have had
quite enough of Russia and will endeav-
or to reach some other country. ! know
something of the Pacific coast and OF
Vladivostok, and that experience is at
your benefit if you will accept it,"
''Wait until we see Platoff, Maurice
answered evasively.
The Russian might be sincere enough,
Uut lis Ddsb COuuuOt w dS dkuiIst hiLus
They turned down into the valley,
Maurice leading the way. Daroman'sl
assurance that only those two soldiers
were in the neighborhood had quieted
his fears. One of them was probably
dead, and his companion could do moth
ing single handed.
1t was nearly shutdown when the
raaphal nd IN Manrfpatc
CONSERVATION the spot was deserted.
"They have gone away" he exclaim-
ed. II must find them before night
comes :"
whats that?' said Daroman. "Lis-
TEMP
A low, clear whistle was distinctly
heard, and as Maurice whistled in re-
ply Phil and Platoff broke from the
bushes and came gladly forward.
They regarded Captain Daroman with
evident aversion, and Platoff listened
with passive, unchanging countenance
as Maurice explained his absence and
related his adventure with the tiger
and the meeting with the Russian.
Then Daroman briefly explained his
object and wishes, speaking with ap-
parent frapkness and sincerity. His
thin, careworn face and shrunken limbs
excited the boys pity, but Platof al
lowed no sentimental considerations to
influence him.
"You can accompany u.s." he said
after a short deliberation, "but bear
this in mind, at the first sign of treach-
cry will shoot you as l would dog.
l have little love for those who wear
the czar's uniform.
Daroman's face flushed.
"You forget" he replied, "that es-
cape from Siberia means as much to me
as it does to YOU"
That was the only reference he ever
made to the past. By tacit consent the
subject was avoided.
"You are sure, then, that only these
two Cossacks were in the neighbor-
hood?" resumed Platoff.
Eyes" said Daroman, THAT is all.
They were searching for me and did
not know of your presence.
"They passed here not half an hour
ago." said Platoff. "That is why we
hid in the bushes. The one you shot
was living across the saddle, dead,
have no doubt, and his companion, also
mounted, was leading the other horse.
This offense only makes things worse.
We must be many miles from here be-
fore morning"
Daroman assented to this and urged
! an immediate start.
Platoff's suggestion to strike still
deeper into the country toward Mongo-
liza was discussed and approved. They
ate hearty meal, which Daroman de-
youred with ravenous greed, and just
AS twilight dimmed the forest the jour-
ney was begun.
1t was uncertain travelling in the
dark, for hills and ravines had to be
crossed, but Platoff led the way with
unerring sagacity, and when morning
dawned they were many miles from
the valley where Maurice had met with
such startling adventure.
All that day they pressed forward
and not until darkness came agar
would Platoff permit halt Then they
stopped in a thick forest, and after {
| suUstdutldl luSaA pAOpaiOu WAehooe ~,
they slept alternately, Platoff or one OF
the boys staying constantly on guard.
In the morning they were off again,
and thus for three days they Travelled
steadily forward, meeting neither man
nor beast and stopping for rest at night
It is true that tigers and wolves were
often heard in the forest, but they re-
1 90 l;ctanoo
The tedium of the march was be-
guiled by Captain Daroman, who en-
tertained his companions with the mar
ration of his own wonderful escape and
tourney. If what he said was true, his
sufferings had been frightful indeed,
and the boys realized all the more how
great was the cause for gratitude on
their part.
The captain, no doubt; expected like
return of confidence, but If so he was
disappointed, for Platoff was very reti-
cent and guarded about what he said,
and, moreover, cautioned the boys