Mower County transcript., 1898-01-26


selves Of these convict garments"
"But won't we be pursued?'' asked
Maurice. 'How can we hope to escape
the soldiers?''
"We must take the chances" replied
Grodno coolly. "Our escape was dis
covered long ago, of course 1t is posi-
bic that when the empty boat is found
they will believe that we are at the
bottom of the river, but it is more than
likely that the Cossacks will scour the
country. We must stay in hiding for
few days.
Grodno turned aside to converse with
Han,id, and Maurice explained to Phil
what the Russian had told him. In
spite of the discouraging outlook the
boys were now hopeful.
Everything depends on reaching St.
Petersburg without being retaken, said
Maurice, "and once there, Phil, shall
try to see this Colonel Jaroslav. If we
succeed in that, we shall be saved, and
Vladimir Saradoff shall pay dearly for
This outrage"
10 Maurice, comparatively ignorant
|of the tremendous obstacles in the way,
the chances Of reaching St. Petersburg
seemed very good. and his cheering
words frightened Phil considerably.
The conversation was cut short by
Grodno, who announced that it was
time to start.
The Russian was armed with the gun
and the sword, while Hamid was in
possession Of the revolver. They travel
ed on through the forest until long past
noon, and then, worn out by long march
ing and by hunger, they halted by a
small stream. It was impossible to pro-
ceed farther without food. A close
search revealed few stunted raspber-
ries, which were eagerly devoured.
Birds were chattering overhead in the
trees, but Grodno refused to use his
weapon, for fear the Cossacks would
hear the report and be attracted to the
spot. They succeeded in finding enough
raspberries partly to satisfy their hun
ger, and with fresh hope they struggled
on for three or four miles.
Toward sunset glad sight met their
eyes. In small clearing amid the for
est stood roughly built log hut. Grod-
no advanced boldly to the door and, aft
er two or three unanswered knocks,
flung it open and entered. He reappear-
I'd in moment, beckoning to his COM
panions, and they hurried eagerly for
ward.
''Some woodcutter's hut, "said Crod-
no. "The owner has gone away, but be
was considerate enough to leave this
behind him." and he pointed to cou-
pie of hand loaves of bread and guam
tity Of dried mushrooms. A careful
search revealed nothing else that could
be Of use save few matches, and leav-
ing the hut they pressed on through the
forest. With sunset came a chilly
breeze, but this caused the fugitives
little inconvenience with their heavy
woolen clothing, and when it became
too dark to travel they camped by the
side of big rock and pulled branches
from the birch trees to make bed.
1T was a very encouraging sign, :"
! Grodno said, THAT no trace Of pursuit
had yet come near them"
He conversed awhile with Hamid,
and then both went calmly to sleep.
Maurice and Phil remained awake
for some time, listening to the rustling
of the breeze in the tree tops and think
ing over their dreary situation. In spite
Of their WEAKNESS they were unable to
sleep.
II wish it were possible to make our
way back to Russia without our COM
panions, said Maurice. "They arc both
hard characters. am certain of that,
and they may intend to commit other
crimes. We may find ourselves in a
worse plight than we were in before" "
II agree with you there" replied
Phil, land, what is more, I have a
dreadful suspicion that it was Grodno
and Hamid who set the barge on fire. -
by Jove!' exclaimed Maurice sud-
denly. "Why didn't think Of that be-
fore? You are right, Phil; you are GER
tainly right. These two scoundrels
started that fire in order to escape and
ran the risk of burning all those poor
wretches alive. What bloodthirsty fend>
they must be! I declare I'm sorry We
left the barge at all. Why, Phil, if We
are caught now they'll probably shoot
US. We are equally guilty with these
two villains. Grodno says he can pro
cure US other clothing, and as that il
absolutely necessary we will be com
PEELED to stay with them for few days
yet, but at the very first opportunity We
will leave them and strike out for our
selves. 1t is mighty slim chance, bu
anything is preferable to keeping com
pany with such men,"
"Hush!" said Phil. II believe they
are awake"
The boys had barely time to lie dow1
and feign sleep when Grodno sat up ant
looked around him.
He fell back in a moment, and afte,
lying awake for nearly an hour longer
not daring to resume the conversation
the boys finally fell into a restless slum
Der that lasted until davbreak
| Enough food still remained to maxi
the fugitives a breakfast, and afte
hunting up small stream, where th
boys washed their faces and quenchet
their thirst. the march was resumed t
| tho westwar6