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

doubtless was curious to know what
was going ON.
Poussin deliberately made an inspec-
ton of the food he had bought to see
that erything was there, and, finally
climbing to his seat, he roughly ordered
the station attendants out Of the road
and chirruped to the horses
They trotted through the yard, and,
turning the angle at the gate, under
the very eyes of dozen Cossacks, dash
ed off down the frozen, deserted street.
The low houses, dim and gloomy, shot
past like streaks, and, Swimming over a
slight riGge, the darkness was relieved
by bar of light shining from the mill
tary outpost small wooden structure
by the roadside.
81 forgot all about that" muttered
Poussin as he pulled up his horses in
obedience to the stern command to halt.
Two or three soldiers were lounging
inside, and the officer who came for
ward with lantern was the same man
that examined their passports that
morning. He held up the light and
scrutinized their faces.
"Ah, yes" he said, 81 remember
you. You just came last evening""
Eyes," replied Poussin. ''We have
been turned out of our beds" And he
related in good humored tones how the
expected arrival of the government in
spector had deprived them of their room
and started them off few hours ahead
of their usual time
"Then you are not connected with
his excellency's party?" asked the Off
Ger.
"Why, no." said Poussin, thrown
off his guard by the question.
''But your companions are, said the
officer, and, pulling a document from
his pocket, he hastily unfolded it.
81 find both your names here, he
said, looking at Platoff, "Louis Miroff
and Serge Lyapin. This is a list of the
inspectors party brought to me an hour
ago by the captain of his excellency's
advance guard in order that might
copy it for my monthly report. Seeing
your names upon it, supposed you had
preceded the inspector. May ask why
you are leaving again before his ar
rival?"
Platoff's courage rose to meet this
trying emergency. "We belong to his
excellency's party" he answered in a
firm voice, "my companion and 1. We
are travelling incognito for reasons that
must remain secret"
Then, seeing that the officer hesitated,
he added: "You saw the passports prop
erly made out in our names. Surely
that is sufficient.
Perhaps there was an i'll suppressed
touch of eagerness in Platoff's voice.
The officers suspicious were plainly
aroused.
Without replying he held his lantern
to Platoff's face and then turned it on
Poussin, who sat white and miserable
ON the front seat. That woebegone
countenance confirmed the officers
doubts.
81 must put you to the inconvenience
of brief delay" he said. "No doubt
all will lie explained, but dare not as
sumo any risks. will dispatch man
at once to bring the captain of the Cos
sack guard He will know you, of
course"
The officer moved quietly forward
and caught the horses lines, while three
soldiers with rifles in their hands came
out IF fhe station and stood near the
sledge.
YES" said Platoff. "He will know
us. Oh, yes, the captain will know us. J"
His lips trembled, and he caught Maui
rice's wrist in a convulsive grasp.
Poussin never turned his head. He
was trembling like leaf. Ten seconds
-twenty-half minute
No one moved or spoke.
Suddenly Platoff Strengthened up.
With one quick, marvellous leap he
sprang behind Poussin and snatched
the lines and the whip from the nerve
less fingers. He shouted fiercely and
brought down the lash with singing
severity on the spirited horses. They
reared in the air, tore madly from the
officers OBTAINING grasp, and before the
amazed soldiers could realize what had
taken place the sIedge was dashing like
a meteor into the gloom.
"DownI' Platoff shouted to Maurice.
And, sweeping Poussin into the bottom
of the sledge with one arm, he tighten
ed his grip on the lines and dropped
low himself.
Crack! crack! crackl crackl-for two
or three minutes the rifles popped con-
tinuously on the frosty air, and the bull
lets tore through the leather hood and
splintered the woodwork ON all sides.
Then the last shot echoed and died
away, and the flashes of red fire van
ished, leaving the night darker than
before by contrast.
CHAPTER XIII.