San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-21

uneasiness, glanclhg from time to time
toward the road and anxiously feeling
his wet clothes, which were drying
over the fire.
II beg your pardon, he said DELHI
erately, "but. the horses must be driven
hard if you would avoid any ill effects
Of their cold plunge. The ice is form
ing on them already. would advise
You to lose no time in starting for the
next posting station
"What will you dor" asked the
stranger quietly.
Platoff's face flushed, and in visible
embarrassment he attempted to frame a
reply.
Maurice, who was watching him
closely, saw his eyes fash and antioi-
pated trouble.
Hold on" said the stranger. Keep
COOL have something to say. My
name is Nicolas Poussin, and am a
merchant of Vladivostok. have been
to Irkutsk ON business and am ON my
way home. Two friends accompanied
me as far as Toluar, town 30 miles
behind. In their haste they left their
passports in my possession, and have
them now Beyond Toluar met many
Cossacks, and I was informed that
three 'politicals' who escaped some
time ago from Kara had been seen in
the vicinity, and he soldiers were on
their track" He paused and looked
his hearers full in the face.
Platoff, with a livid countenance,
leaned over and drew Maurice's revolv
er from his belt. He cooked it and laid
it ON his knee. Now, what next?" he
said. go ON with your story"
"Well," resumed Nicolas Poussin,
without the least show Of fear, lone
good turn deserves another. My sledge
is roomy, and my horses are strong. If
you have any desire to journey toward
the Pacific. will take you with me for
some distance. The extra passports that
l have will serve for two Of you. The
third can be hidden in the bed of the
sledge. l prefer that you should give
me no information. I don't want to
know who you are, you understand"
"God bless you," exclaimed Platoff,
embracing the worthy mans hand.
Forgive my suspicious. But you are
assuming a risk-a terrible risk"
Never mind about that" replied
Poussin. "All / ask is caution. OF
course I dare not take you clear to
Vladivostok. That is understood. But
let us waste no more time. Our clothes
are dry, and we can start.
The boys could barely realize at first
the full measure of their good fortune.
A moment before the tidings that the
Cossacks were on their track had filled
their hearts with despair. Now merci-
full hand was stretched out to save
them. Platoff's heroism had brought
its own reward.
It was impossible to doubt Nicolas
Poussin's sincerity. His frank, open
face, his honest, gray eyes. were truth
| itself
Quickly the dry clothes were donned,
the fire was smothered with wet snow,
and they climbed into the big sledge.
| Under its front seat was an empty
space Just big enough for Phil, and he
was snugly tucked in place with rugs.
"Wear these" said Nicolas Poussin,
handing Platoff a pair Of green goggles
and Maurice huge mr cap and tippet.
"Sit there" And he motioned to the
rear seat under the leather hood.
Remember, he added, your names
are now Louis Miroff and Serge Lyapin.
Don't forget"
He climbed up in front and seized
the lines. The horses dashed away on a
gallop, jingling their bells, and the
sledge scraped merrily over the frozen
crust-toward the Pacific.