Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-12-08
CHAPTER II.

away in the storm.
CHAPTER IL.
The Saw-Min.
The Prince left the hall Immediately,
in order, l supposed, to see that word
was sent to the villagers that none of
them should give shelter TO the outlaw.
No sooner was he gone than too, left
the hall, and passing rapidly through
several rooms and corridors, reached a
postern gate in the southwestern angle
of the castle. My object was to over
take Won Mitschka before he got be-
yond the precincts. l knew that for q
man to be out all night, in such a eli
nate, aud in the midst of such a snow
storm as was now raging. meant death;
and knew, also, that the cruel orders
issued by the Prince, that no one should
shelter the stranger, would be Obeyed
to the letter. The truth was, that the
peasants dared not disobey their lords
commands, though obedience meant the
sacrifice Of hundred lives, instead Of
one.
l meant to save the mans life, if it
could be done. AS for his offenses
against the Russian government l con-
sidered that they were no business of
mine. meant to guide Won Mitschka
to rude shelter and l was afraid that
if I allowed him to get beyond the vi
cinity Of the castle would not be able
to find him in the darkness.
Luckily, the postern gate was not
locked. 1 passed through it, and, rum
ming fast, I overlook Won MitSchka as
he was coming through the great gate
that led from the Enclosure to the vii
lage.
Where do you mean to go?' painted
out, for had been running hard.
Won Mitschka stopped and peered in.
to My face without replying.
81 was in the hall when you were
talking to the Prince, and heard him
say that you would not be allowed to
stay overnight in the village. 1 am
sure the peasants will obey him. Ev-
cry door will be shut against you.
What do you mean to do?"
II shall walk to Navorsk."
"But Navorsk is more than twenty
versts away. Even if you should be
sure Of keeping to the road, the chances
are that you will never reach the place
alive, in the face Of this storm. But
you would be sure to lose your way be-
fore you covered a quarter of the dis
tance"
you may be right, but l see nothing
better to be DONE"
'Some sledges are to pass by us to-
morrow, if they are not storm-stayed,"
1 said, "and you might be able to make
a bargain with one Of the drivers to
take you to st. Petersburg
eyes; but tonight: That is the
pressing difficulty"
81 think I can find you a shelter"
said I, Though very rough one"
Won Mitschka thanked me warmly;
and, turning round, led the way to-
wards wooded hill that lay about a
quarter Of mile to the north of the
castle. There they had built the previ-
GUS summer, a saw-mill driven by
wind-power, to provide timber for the
alterat tons that were in progress at the
castle. The mill was now deserted, and
it was there that had thought Of shell
tering the stranger for the night.
The snowdrift was so thick, and the
wind so cruelty keen, that shuddered
to think of any human being trying to
make his way that night on foot to the
town Won Mitschka had spoken Of He
would certainly have been dead long
before morning.
AS we advanced, the path became
more sheltered, and the snow was
deeper and softer than it had been in
the open plain. We sank in the soft,
white drift to our knees, sometimes up
to our waists; and when at length we
arrived at the mill our feet and legs
were soaked through; we were painting
and exhausted; and, in spite Of the icy
wind, bathed in perspiratiOn.
The key was in the corner, where it
was usually kept and l soon had the
door Open We were under roof now;
but there was no stove or chimney SO
a fire was impossible. There was no
bed, no food, no change Of clothes, for
the stranger l was trying to befricnd.
The want of a bed was supplied by q
heap Of pine shavings, but 1t was ne
ccssary that Won Mitschka should
have dry clothes and food, and the only
place from which the could be pro-
cured was the castle. I set out imme-
| Won Mitschka that l would be back in
| an hour.
With some difficulty made my way
to the castle and got together something
! clothes from my own wardrobe. TO-
gcthcr with some food, and flask OF
Scotch whisky, which ] kept for cmer-
| gcnclcs like the present.
Laden with these things, ana fer
vcntly hoping that | might not encoun'
ter the Prince on the way, stole down
one of the staircnscs, and was con.
graduating myself on having success
fully made my rscnpr, when ! chnt
/ face to face with Fri Kropcnskls