Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-15

rescued man up and down. he was
shivering so intensely from bis cold
bath that all attempts to speak were
vain. When he saw the sledge safely
on shore, he tottered up to it and drew
from one corner big flask of vodka.
He took hearty gulp and considerate-
" passed it to Platof, who was now
shivering in his turn.
The fiery fluid put. warmth into their
bodies at once, and the stranger burst
into a profuse declaration of thanks.
Never mind" said Platoff, "it was
nothing. l could not have done less.
Build q fire quick" he added to the
boys, "a big, large one, some distance
up the ravine."
1t required but few moments to ex-
ecute this order, and the welcome blaze
was soon sending out grateful warmth.
The stranger brought from his sledge a
dozen fur robes, and, discarding their
wet garments, he and Platoff wrapped
themselves snugly in these. The horses
were standing quietly by the roadside,
looking very forlorn in their dripping
condition.
'Tbe brutes were scared a mile back
at q cowardly wolf that crossed the
road" said the stranger. "Had you
not come to the rescue should now be
at the bottom Of the Amur. fully ap-
preciate your kindness, much more than
you think possible. " And he glanced
keenly at the fugitives.
~ told you it was nothing" answer
ed Platoff coldly. "By chance we heard
your cries and came to the rescue. We
are fur hunters, and we live few miles
up this stream. "
The stranger made no reply, but kept
his keen gaze fixed on the party. He was
fine looking man, heavily built and
light bearded, while his manner OF
speech proved him to be intelligent.
Platoff endured this scrutiny with secret
uneasiness, glancing from time to time
toward the road and anxiously feeling
his wet clothes, which were drying
over the fire.
II beg your pardon, he said delib-
erately, "but the horses must be driven
hard if you would avoid any i'll effects
Of their cold plunge. The ice is form
ing on them already. Iwould advise
you to lose no time in starting for the
next posting station"
"What will you dor" asked the
stranger quietly.
Platoff's face flushed, and In visible
embarrassment he attempted to frame a
reply.
Maurice, who was watching him
closely, saw his eyes flash and antici-
pated trouble.
"Hold on" said the stranger. Keep
cool. I have something to say. My
name is Nicolas Poussin, and I am
merchant of Vladivostok. I have been
to Irkutsk on business and am on my
way home. Two friends accompanied
me as far as Toluar, town 30 miles
behind. In their haste they left their
passports in my possession, and have
them now. Beyond Toluar l met many
Cossacks, and I was informed that
three 'politicals' who escaped some
time ago from Kara had been seen in
the vicinity, and the soldiers were on
their track" He paused and looked
his hearers full in the face
Platoff, with a livid countenance,
leaned over and drew Maurice's revolv-
er from his belt. He cooked it and laid
it on his knee. Nov, what nextr' he
said "Go on with your story"
"Well," resumed Nicolas Poussin,
without the least show Of fear, lone
good turn deserves another. My sledge
is roomy, and my horses are strong. If
you have any desire to journey toward
the Pacific. will take you with me for
some distance. The extra passports that
I have will serve for two Of you. The
third can be hidden in the bed Of the
sledge 1 prefer that you should give
me no information. I don't want to
know who you are, you understand"
"God bless you," exclaimed Platoff,
embracing the worthy mans hand.
"Forgive my suspicious. But you are
assuming q risk-a terrible risk"
'Never mind about that" replied
Poussin. "All I ask is caution. Of
course I dare not take you clear to
Vladivostok. That is understood. But
let us waste no more time. Our clothes
are dry, and we can start.
The boys could barely realize at first
the full measure of their good fortune.
A moment before the tidings that the
Cossacks were OH their track had filled
their hearts with despair. Now merci-
full hand was stretched out to save
them. Platoff's heroism had brought
its own reward.
1t was impossible to doubt Nicolas
Poussin's sincerity. His frank, open
face, his honest, gray eyes, were truth
itself.
Quickly the dry clothes were donned,
the fire was smothered with wet snow,
and they climbed into the big sledge.
Under it's front scat was an empty
space just big enough for Phil, and he
was snugly tucked in place with rugs.
"Wear these" said Nicolas Poussin,
handing Platoff pair Of green goggles
and Maurice huge fur cap and tippet.
"Sit there" And he motioned to the
rear seat under the leather hood.
Remember, he added, your names
are now Louis Miroff and Serge Lyapin.
Don't forget.
He climbed up in front and seized
the lines. The horses dashed away Oh a
gallop, jingling their bells, and the
sledge scraped merrily over the frozen
crust-toward the Pacific.