Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-02-09
81 3 8 3
!: The BLACK TERROR s;
8 Il Romance of Russia. a
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BY JOHN X. LEYs.
CHAPTER Nv. (Continucd.)

Know WHAT Jne service you uelllallu VI
me is l said this with a SMILE to
show that | did not take the matter
very seriously; yet l was unwilling
that l should sail at the outset under
false colors.
Won MitSchlla took no notice OF my
speech; but l could not help seeing
that the Pole gave a perceptible start
as | spoke and regarded me for a mo-
nent or two with Il curious intentness.
Il said that you should have an in
terview with Prince Kropenski," said
the chief, land L will arrange for you
to see him tomorrow. The Prince is
quite we'll, hope?' he added, turning
to his lieutenant.
Perfectly we'll in health. but very
restless. He gives us more trouble
than any half-doZen Of the rest
THAT reminds me--What are we to
do about the new prisoners. the survi-
yors of the Novgorad:" said Won
Mitschka. 1--WE cannot house them,
and I do not see how we are to feed
them; yet we dare not allow one Of
them to return to Russia"
Sooner than do that l would shoot
them in body" said Lobeski. as
calmly as if he had been speaking OF
Strengthening a number of pigs. l sup
pose that he saw something of the alb
horrence l felt reflected in my face,
for he fastened to add
Better that q few sailors should
meet their fate a few years before
their time. than have the great work
we have been doing for Poland-and
for Russia-destroyed."
AS it happened. overheard speech
which Won Mitschka made that after
noon to the surviving officer and sea-
men of the Inflated Ncvgorod. He ex-
planned to them, not without a touch
of magnifcence that he and his
friends were at war with the Russian
government, and that they We're pris-
oners Of war. Their lives We're, there
fore safe; but, for the time being, they
must remain ON the island. Unfortun-
ately, he said, the accommodations
were not sufficient, and the food must
be, for a short period. rather monoton-
GUS in character. But the authorities
would do their utmost to have huts
erected for them. as we'll as large sup
plies of food laid in, before the sum-
mer came to an end For the present
they would be allowed as much per-
sonal liberty as was consistent With
tie safety of the settlement.
'.Are you not afraid of a rising
among the prisoners?' l asked, when |
found myself opposite Won NIitschla
at dinner that evening, after Lobieski
had left us.
mo, I can't say that I am he re
turned, "and for three reasons. In the
first place, our men are all heavily
armed, while the rebels would not
have as much as a cartridge or cut
lass among them. In the second place,
the prisoners who are to live outside
the walls will be well treated, much
better than the average sailor on board
Russian man-of-war, so that they
will have no very strong inducement
to risk their lives in an attempt to es-
cape. And, in the third place, even if
they did succeed in making themselves
masters of the island, they have no
boat. nor any tools OF materials Tor
making one, nor any knowledge OF
their whereabouts; so that IT they dld
get the upper hand. they would be ut
tie better offrthan they We're before.
There is something in that. L sup
pose it would be highly indiscreet i'll
me to ask what quarter OF the globe
we are in?'
:.My dear Health said the conspir-
ator. with a smile of real feeling, II
have such confidence in your honor
that. if it had depended solely Oh me,
YOU would have been told all our Sc
crets long ago. AS you know. | have
to consult others: but l have obtained
permission to tell you the situation OF
this island. approximately, On condi-
ton that YOU keep the matter a secret
until we give you leave to divulge IT,
81 will give the PROMISE l an
swered,, rejecting a moment. with
this proviso, that what may observe
for myself is my oWll-sub!ect' OIL
course. to thesold stipulation, that II |
decline to serve you as you desire,
must hold my tongue about the Whole
affair."
For reply Won Mitschka held out his
hand, and we shook hands.
You must know, then SAID ne
that we have been sailing about fol
the last few days with no other CD
ject than to prevent you-and not only
YOU. but the prisoners we had on po:ro
and some of the sailors-trom knowing
orr real destination. 1t may surpIis'
YOU to know that the island over 1l,''
is part of the soil Of Great Britain.
.f.rpat Rritain, ImpOsslble. DO yoa
moan to tell me. seriously, that we are
in England?" ,,.,
.In Scotland. at any rate, Whlch
comes to very nearly the same thing.
This is one of the outlying Islands OF
the Herbrides-you will excuse my
mentioning it's name at present
I was too profoundly amazed to re.
ply. Once more l was confounded al
the evidence of resources. CT cool all-
dacity displayed by the leaders OF the
new revolution.
GLOW is it possible" | asked, that
YOU should keep your prisoners here a
month without the fact being known
How to you manage to evade inquiries
10 prevent communication!
Won Mitschka interrupted me with a
hearty laugh.
my dear fellow he cried, 1.-THE SIM
ple fact is that what seems to you
next to an impossibility has proved, as
knew it would, the easiest part OF the
whole enterprise. Indeed. it has pre-
sented no difficulty worthy OF the
name. Fin up your glass and take
4 fresh cigar. and will tell you exact
Il !, 8,,<,,, xx,o ma mayed to set I'D what Is