San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-28
CHAPTER XVII.
AN OLD FRIEND.

That night the storm passed away
and the sun rose on perfect morning.
The blue Pacific was still beating the
sandy coast with whitecapped pillows,
it is true, but the sky was clear and Sc
rene, and the sun shone brightly on the
town and harbor of Vladivostok.
What frightful mockery all this
glorious beauty seemed to the three
prisoners as they passed for a moment
through the cottage yard and entered
the closed carriage that had just arrived
from the town. Their wan, haggard
faces, from which every vestige of hope
had fed, seemed to draw sympathy
from even the stern and pitiless Cos
sacks.
The commanding officer took his seat
in the carriage and gave the order to
start. He had deferred the departure
until now, purpOsely, no doubt, that
his triumph might be seen of men, and
to add dignity to the occasion the car
riage was surrounded on all four sides
by troops of mounted Cossacks.
They rode briskly out of the wooded
valley and turned down the sandy
beach, entering the town by its main
thoroughfare-a long, narrow street,
lined for the most part with wooden
houses of peculiar construction. The
sidewalks were filled with people, and
Maurice looked with curiosity at the
odd types of characteristic queerly
dressed Russians, the pigtailed Chi
nese and the dark featured Koreans.
The triumphant procession-for so it
was clearly regarded by the inhabitants
continued ON past the government Of
fees, the admiralty with its yellow
dome and waving flag, the imposing,
carved facade of the Naval club, and
passing through the Chinese bazaar and
the market place swept along the wharf,
tantalizing the wretched prisoners with
a brief glimpse of the shipping anchor
ed in the harbOr-the flags of all ma
tions that fluttered ia the morning
breeze.
Then low, gloomy building came in
view, frownlng with cannon, pierced
with embrasures, and the carriage drew
up before the fortress.
A brief sigh escaped Platoff's lips.
No one spoke, for strict silence had
been enjoined.
Another carriage was standing on
one side Of the massive entrance-an
imposing vehicle glistening with new
paint and gilded trimmings. A dozen
soldiers of huge stature were guarding
it, and one of them seemed strangely
familiar tc Maurice
The prisoners got out of the carriage
before the gateway which was open tC
receive them and marched slowly for.
ward, each between two soldiers.
Just at this time a connection wal
heard within, and a sentry ON the step'
called aloud: 1.-THE inspector is coming
Make room for his excellency."
The officer in charge flushed Will
pride and Strengthened himself an incl
or two "Haltp' he cried sharply
fright about Forward Haltw Ant
the prisoners, drawn up beside the shor
flight of stone steps, awaited the ar
rival of the inspector.
Maurice fixed his eyes on the archet
doorway. He was curious to see thi
government official who had travele,
across Siberia inspecting the czar'
prisons and penal settlements. A mo
ment later he appeared-a tall, richl,
uniformed gentleman, preceded by
young Cossack officer-and at sight o
that noble face, the wavy, yellow mus
tache and beard and clear blue eye
Maurice was thrilled by such a stron
emotion that L. staggered back an
would have v cut for the guard
firm grasp am. The dizzines
passed Of y, and he straighten
ed up, treIc and flushed with eS
element.
His excellency halted ON the topmos
step for parting word with the com
mandant of the fortress, who followe
him to the door Then he came quickl
down between the presented arms of tn
sentries, and as his feet touched tb
bottom Maurice, with a supreme ei
fort, tore from his guards and fun
himself before the amazed official, CRY
ing loudly: Colonel Jaroslavl Colone
Jaroslavl Help me, help mer'
All was wild excitement in an il