Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-25

The boys suffered mach from the chilling
Tat1tS.
these halts the boys soon learned to re-
gard with uncomfortable horror, for
during the whole "a hours they remain.
ed shut up in the close, unhealthy sta
tion houses
Thus spring passed into summer, and
summer turned to autumn, and still the
exile party pressed wearily forward,
leaving many ef their number at differ
ent points along the route.
There were times when the boys
found it difficult to convince themselves
that the past was not all dream-that
they had ever known brighter, fairer
country than this desolate Siberia, and
then again there were occasions when
the past became all too realistic and Wv
i'd, and the remembrance of their hope
less condition and of Vladimir Saradoff' g
crime sank into their hearts like heated
iron.
The boys suffered much from the chill
ing rains and cold winds that came
with the early autumn, and many q
weary mile they marched with dripping
garments tapping about their aching
limbs.
Itwas on crisp, cool September even
ing that Irkutsk was reached, and the
sun was setting lightly OH the white
walls and golden domes Of this power
full capital of eastern Siberia when the
boys crossed the river Oh pendulum
ferrybost and entered the streets Of the
city.
The party now numbered scarcely 100.
Many had died on the way, and many
had been left at different points on the
route.
Those remaining were either political
prisoners or belonged to the most des-
perate grade of criminals.
To reach the prison the party were
compelled to cross a section of the city,
and the boys were amazed to see the
broad, well paved streets, the imposing
buildings, the shop windows filled with
articles Of luxury, and the well dressed
people who occupied the sidewalks.
"It seems like dream," observed
Maurice to his companion. II cannot
believe that we are in Siberia. How like
an American city this is, Phil, and how
long. it seems since we left home," he
added sadly. Phil made no reply. He
raised his sleeve and brushed away the
tears which were rolling down his pale
cheeks.
The mournful procession moved on
rapidly, attracting but little attention
from the people
The central portion of the city was
soon left behind, and they entered a
more squalid neighborhood. with dark,
narrow streets AID gloomy, dingy
houses. The sidewalks now appeared to
be more crowded, and from the attitude
of the people it seemed as though some
thing unusual were going on.
Multitudes of peasants in red silk
and black velvet trousers surged to and
fro, singing and shouting, either from
excitement or intoxication, probably
the latter, for on every street corner
was peddler's stall, where the fiery
vodka was being sold by the glass or
the bottle.
cts holiday of some kind, )" whis-
pered Maurice; 1.-The shops are all closed
and the people are dressed up i'll their
best.
At that moment the exiles were halt
ed in a small square, surrounded by un-
usually squalid houses, and instantly
an eager and curious crowd had hem
med them in. They were pressed against
the soldiers, who tried in vain to drive
them back on the sidewalk.
A commotion was now heard in front
and, mingled with the shouts of the peo-
pie, the boys could distinguish rude mu-
sic and hollow beating of drums. An
officer galloped along the line, shouting
f1ercely: "Drive the scoundrels from
the square. Force your way through
with swords and bayonetsr'
The Cossacks made IN immediate at
tempt to obey this order, for the column
pushed forward few yards, only to
come to dead halt again between the
surging crowds.
The boys were near the front Of the
column, and, looking over the heads Of
their companions, they could see Il gold
en- image mounted on pole and strange
looking banners jammcd in among the
people. "This is religious festival of
some kind" said Maurice, land those
stupid Cossacks have blundcred right
into it on their way to the prison."
From the crowding and pushing 60
ing OH i'll front it looked as though the
mob were disputing the passage of the
prisoners.
The outcry was loud and violent, and
the commands of the officers with diff
Guilty reached the ears of their men.
A close watch was kept on tho con-