The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11

"Who eoas shoottng2" demanded Phil.
to explain now. What have done for
you was only debt. You saved my
life. l hope have saved yours. Re-
member your identity is unknown to
me- 1t is even possible that the authori-
ties will not discover for some time who
my strange passengers were. Your dis
guise is effective, and the fact that
third man was concealed in the sledee
will never be known"
In spite of Platoff's continued en-
treaties, Poussin remained firm.
Holding the horses with skilled
hand, he urged them on unsparingly,
and the sledge SKINNED over the frozen
ground at a speed which made the land
scape on each side one dizzy blend.
Hour after hour passed on. The dark
sky paled gradually, and a gray light
stole over the frozen plain until the dis
| tant hills were dimly seen. Morning
was close at hand, and yet no trace OF
the pursuit was visible. Eastward the
rugged hill tops were hecked with pale
crimson-a rosy mist beneath which
the morning sun was creeping upward.
The atmosphere was clear and radiant,
revealing every tree and rock for miles
around. Still the horses sped on untlr-
ingly. thsir nostrils white with foam,
their glossy TANKS damp and steaming.
Platoff and Poussin were on the front
seat, Maurice and Phil behind. All
were grave and silent, scanning the
landscape intently, straining their ears
to catch the slightest sound.
1t was Maurice who sounded the
alarm. His sharp cry echoed on the
frosty air. His arm pointed stralght &c
the northward, and, turning quickly, al
saw ON the rolling crest of distant hill
a single black streak moving IN ser
pentine course down the slope
"Cossacks!'' calculated Platof.
whole company at least. They are com
ting at full speed.
"Be calm" said Poussin. "They' arr
fully two miles distant. The time ma
come to part
He touched up the horses, and the.
dashed at furious gallop over the lev
Il ground His companions, turning II
their seats, watched the approaching
soldiers until they gained the plain AM
vanished behind the gentle undulation
of the road. A moment later the siedg
swept over ridge, and Poussin dreN
} mn the painting horses in the hollow {
a wooded ravine. A bubbling mcrn't
, stream poured down from the III az
emntied into the Ussum, son,e ar
distant.
ssTbere is no t:ne to lose, sac -'tr'
sin as the fugitives sprang to the gfouL
"Take these provisions, take !"
: aniece. strike back into the heart or Ia
} hills and wade up the bed OF the streai
until the road is out of sight. Make
, wide detour to reach Vladivostok. Go
be with you and help you to escape
{ There will be plenty of vessels In IL
harbor at this time OF year. ViauiVo
tok is now but 40 miles away py u
road. Do you need anything elser
3 mo" exclaimed Platoff. I'VE nay
everything Heaven grant that no harl
f. comes to you! have known many bray
! men in my time, but none that won
4 have dared to do what you have done :
"Gol" said Poussin huskily. don
delay. Remember ] must lead your pu
Q suers far off the track that you mt
3 have time to escape.
One at a time they clasped the pra
, merchants hand fervently and WI
tears in their eyes.
/. "Goodby, goodbyw they called o
Z chokingly. o,
G "Farewellp said Poussin. "God
with you'll And. bringing down {
q whip on his restless horses, ne swept
!. the ravine and vanished from sight ov
Il the pine crowned ridge.
r The halt had been OF less than "
d minutes duration. The Cossacks we
still two miles in the rear, and {
o chances Of escape were good.
o The fugitives had climbed ous OF =
10 sledge on some loose stones that ooro'