Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-07

steward, an exceedingly bad one X
you can't.
The claret would have been the de-
light of a gourmet. Among these sav-
age Tartars nothing short of vitriOl--
and cheap vodki is that-deserved an
encomium. SO, though they continued
to sup at the jug perfunctorily, they
didn't cease to condemn the contents.
The irritation born of their unaccus-
toned swillings made them quarrel
hugely over their cards. They banded
accusations of cheating freely from
one to the other. The atmosphere was
thick with noisome smoke and heated
words.
A hail came from their comrades on
the deck. One of them thrust his head
below the raised skylight, summoning
them to come quickly. They reeled up
the companion and stared stupidity
round them across sea and shore. One
of the men who had been on deck
pointed to where a cleft in the ring Of
rocks showed the cliffs Of the farther
bay. About 800 yards away n man
could be seen digging methodically at
the crag foot. Beside him lay brown
object, indistinguishable at that dis
lance. The fellow was throwing up
the sand energetically and looked nei-
Their to the right hand nor the left.
There was but the one narrow slit in
the ringing rocks that gave view upon
him at all. 1t was evident he knew
nothing of the nearness of the yacht.
Yaroslaff, the corporal, snapped his
fingers in his delight. What should
man bury here?' quoth he. why,
what we're bemoaning the want Of
liquor, my boys; good liquor. I've al
ways heard this was a bay for the
smugglers. He's leaving this for the
Lapps without doubt Now shall we
both preserve the Law of the empire
and get refreshmen: fit for gentlemen
and soldiers. But quietly, you little
pigeons, quietly, and We'll see what
the old scoundrel's up to-"
They stole silently across the gang
way and wormed among the shore
rocks till in a ciic'e they stood behind
the man. Unconsciously he toiled on
at his digging, and the grins grew up
on the soldiers faces. Finally. as he
delved away, Vladimir, young re-
cruit, contained himself no longer. He
burst into a roar of laughter and strobe
forward, holding his sides, nor were
the others slow TO join In his hilarious
Rawlings. The man started up with
jerk of surprise. He faced round
upon them tremblingly, his eyes wide
and staring. He sank upon the sand
and lifted his hands to the corporal
appealingly.
Mercy, captain mercy! 1t is but q
little I store against the winter
The corporal smote his shoulder in
good humored ferocity.
"Son of dog he shouted. "As IL
l didn't know you and your ways!
Why should Stefan, the forester, store
good liquor out here? You want to
trade with the I.apps, thing strictly
forbidden, as we'll You know, you des-
perate old contra bandist! Now a great
fine will be due from you
Mercy" said old Stefan, groveling.
"Mercy, sir! 1t is n little, little barrel,
and l an; Of the poorest. AL! mine is
yours if you but forpear the reporting
of me-
This" said Yaroslaff, picking up
the barrel. sis neither yours nor mine.
1t belongs to the state. in whose name
confiscate it, But our Little Father,
the cza.. a."ays judges the laborer
worthy CO the hire. l have exhausted
myself in tracking this foul piece of
smugglery. l need a tonic Here
shall find it. Whose vodki is it, o
wicked old maa?"
Evans" ans xeyal the old lager,
trembling, Que
Evans" yelled the corporal. you
waste on filthy scum of Lapps the
divinest elixir ever distilled. OF a
surety, Stefan, you are imbecile rs
well as particularly evil. taste to see
if you lie"
, He raised the keg and took a mouth.
full. His eyes rolled. He gasped as
he set it down and slapped his chest
ecstatically.
"Ivans liquid fire, by all that's
holy" he bawled. NAY" as the 9TH
ers crowded round, demanding their
share, may, lads. This must be vast
ed in no unmethodical swillings on q
forsaken shore. Let us have it in well
ordered cups in the comfort of the
cabin. The court adjudges Stefan to
hard labor as watch on deck while we
dispose Of the spoil" And, tucking
the keg under his arm, he marched
back to the ship, while the soldiers
rained their rude attempts at wit on
/ the old forester, who followed them
submssively.
The six staggered joyously across
the gangway and descended into the
cabin. Stefan they babe with many
imprecations TO stay on deck and sum-
mon them if any one appeared. Then
shortly from the cabin came sounds
of the clink Of glass and boisterous
toasts and jestings, rising at last to
uproar as the hot liquor fumed into
their brains.
The turmoil lasted but short time.
The jests grew less frequent the
snatches Of song more maudlin. Final
ly both died away into incoherent NUT
terings. The corporals head began to
nod omnously and suddenly thudded
forward upon the table. One OF his
tipsy comrades solemnly emptied a
glass Of the spirit over it, The fellow
never even moved. The other five