Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-25
EZILED TO SIBERIA,
BY WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.
Copyright, 1897, by the woolfall Publishing cH
CHAPTER XIV.
A STRANGE MEETING.

Ih0 f1Q6 6DOG SOareQ Gue tlSeI. nodI-
ing with pain, he dashed up tne edge
of the valley and disappeared.
For a moment all was silent, and
Maurice in his hiding place forgot his
fear in astonishment at what had hap
pened. Several minutes passed, and he
was thinking of creeping out and max
ing a dash for the forest when two or
three fragments of stone ratified down
to the ground not dozen yards away.
A moment later man dropped nim-
bly, from an overhanging rock-a tall,
slim fellow in a torn and faded Cossack
uniform, with a rife in his hand.
Knowing that this stranger must he
aware Of his presence, Maurice hastily
brawled out Of his hole and stood up
right. As be did so the stranger turned,
revealing the baggard features of Cap
tain Daroman.
Maurice leveled the revolver straight
at the mans head.
"Don't attempt to use your rifle or
I'll put bullet through you," he said
quickly.
The Russians face expressed the ut
most surprise as he saw who it was that
confronted him.
Then, advancing step, he said: Put
up your weapon. I mean you no harm.
We are now companions in misfortune.
And SO it was you the tiger was after!
would have driven the brute off long
ago, but knowing that the Cossacks
were in the neighborhood ] dared not
fire.
Something in the Russians face con-
vinced Maurice that he meant no harm.
he lowered his weapon and restored 1T
to his belt
"Quickl Let us get away from this, I"
exclaimed the captain. "There may be
other soldiers in the neighborhood.
There is no time to lose if we would es-
cape"
He started off rapidly along the base
of the cliff, and Maurice followed close
behind, wondering at the strange fate
that had brought about this meeting
with his old enemy.
Suddenly he remembered that he was
travelling directly away from his friends,
and his heart sickened at the thought
that they were probably even now in
custody of the soldiers
"Stopl'' he cried to Daroman. II
must 60 back. My companions are up
the valley mile from here. "
"Your compartment" exclaimed the
al
"No," replied Maurice, and he brief
ly explained who was with him. "But
what became of those two Cossacks?" be
added anxiously. "You hit one, did you
not?"
"Yes," said Daroman coolly. II shot
the foremost fellow in the head. He
fell back, and his comrade carried him
off down the hill. They Gid 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, II shall be
glad to accompany you. I have had
quite enough of Russia and will endeav-
or to reach some other country. I 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,
but his past conduct was against him.
They turned down into the valley,
Maurice leading the way. Daroman's
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 sundown when the
spring was reached, and to Maurice's
CONSERVATION the spot was deserted.
"They have gone away" he exclaim-
ed. II must find them before night
comes"
"What's that?" said Daroman. "Lis-
tenp'
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 bis
object and wishes, speaking with ap-
parent frankness and sincerity. His
thin, careworn face and shrunken limbs
excited the boys pity, but Platoff al
lowed no sentimental considerations to
influence him.
"You can accompany u.s." he said
after short delberation, "but bear
this in mind, at the first sign of treach-
cry will shoot you as would dog.
I have little love for those who wear
the czar's uniform.
Daroman's face flushed.