Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-25

That was the only reference he ever
made to the past By tacit consent the
subject was avoided.
"You are sure, then. that only these
two Cossacks were in the neighbor-
hood?" resumed Platoff.
eyes" said Daroman, THAT is all.
They were searching for me and did
not know Of your presence.
"They passed here not half an hour
ago." said Platoff. "That .is why we
hid in the bushes. The one you shot
was lying across the saddle, dead, I
have no doubt, and his companion, also
mounted, was leading the other horse.
This offense only makes things worse.
We must be many miles from here be-
fore morning."
Daroman assented to this and urged
an immediate start. -
Platoff's suggestion to strike still
deeper into the country toward Mongo.
liza was discussed and approved. They
ate hearty meal, which Daroman de-
voured with ravenous greed, and just
as twilight dimmed the forest the jour-
ney was begun.
It was uncertain travelling in the
dark, for hills and ravines had to be
crossed, but Platoff led the way with
unerring sagacity, and when morning
dawned they were many miles from
the valley where Maurice had met with
such startling adventure.
All that day they pressed forward,
and not until darkness came again
woald Platoff permit halt. Then they
stopped in thick forest. and after a
substantial meal prepared without fire
they slept alternately, Platoff or one of
the boys staying constantly on guard.
In the morning they were off again,
and thus for three days they travelled
steadily forward, meeting neither man
nor beast and stopping for rest at night.
It is true that tigers and wolves were
often heard in the forest, but they re-
mained at distance.
The tedium of the march was be-
guiled by Captain Daroman, who en-
tertained his companions with the mar
ration Of his own wonderful escape and
Journey. If what he said was true, his
sufferings had been frightful indeed,
and the boys realized all the more how
great was the cause for gratitude on
their part.
The captain, no doubt, expected like
return of confidence. but if so he was
disappointed, for Platof was very reti-
cent and guarded about what he said,
and, moreover, cautioned the boys
against giving any information that
might react in the future against the
kind friends who had aided them in
their escape.
The weather remained good-very
chilly at night, but pleasant during the
day. A scarcity of food now threatened
again. The provisions supplied by Pous-
sin were about gone, and on the even
ing of the fourth day the last remaining
scraps were devoured.
"In two days. Or three at the most,
we will reach Vladivostok, said Cap
tain Daromml. "We must get along as
best we can until then. We have weap-
ons, it is true, but it would be unwise
to make use of them"
"We have money also," said Platoff,
jingling the belt Of rubles, "but it
might as we'll be go much dirt for all
the good it can do us.
"It will come of use, though, later
on, he added. "A hundred rubles will
be O strong temptation to some ship
captain in the harbor of Vladivostok. !"
Then before ii grew dark he set some
snares in the forest, though with little
hope of trapping anything. But the
morning brought with it a pleasing sur
prise. The despised snares contained
one rabbit, the other bird. A fire was
Mndled, and the game was cooked and
eagerly devoured. This afforded strength
for another days journey, and late in
the afternoon they stopped on the banks
of narrow stream.
! With some loose stones Platof con
structed rude triangular dam across a
shallow part of the channel, leaving a
narrow aperture in the center. At this
place he held q rude net made from the
lining of his coat, while Maurice and
Phil, entering the stream some yards
above, waded slowly down toward the
dam, beating the water Oh each side with
sticks. In this way dozen nice fish
were procured, sufficient for supper that
night and breakfast the following morn
ing. Poussin had given them some salt,
and Maurice had fortunately held on to
the bottle of red pepper; so, with the
aid of these condiments, the fish were
quite palatable.
They Travelled that day with increased
caution and halted when the sun was
low in a deep valley.
All were visibly excited. One more
march-less perhaps-would bring them
to Vladivostok. They forgot for the
moment what yet lay before them-per.
lis to appall the stoutest heart.
Bidding his companions remain hid
den in the bushes, Platoff climbed up
the steep hill to the eastward, hoping to
gain sight of the distant sea, but the
horizon was dimmed BY misty gray
clouds, and he returned disappointed.
"Vladivostok is not far away" said
Captain Daroman. II am sure If that.