Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-02-02
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E THE BLACK TERROR 5
e 4 Romance of Russia. x
- BY JOHN K LEYS. *
70 *
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Observation-Disclosures
4 Romance Of Russia.
BY JOHN X. LEYS.
CHAPTER XIII. tContinuedo


was surprised to hear English from
one of the men. L had supposed they
were all Russians or Firms.
"Where away?' called out Won
Mitschka, from the deck.
fright away to the south'ard," an
swered the sailor. blue mountain
tops. Can't see anything else yet
"rEat will do You can come down."
said Won Mitschka.
He took the skipper to one side and
began Il whispered conversation with
him. While l strolled over to the other
side of the quarterback, i'll apparent
uncOncern.
1t seemed to me that we must be ap-
preaching either part of the coast Of
Norway or Iceland; but l could not
famous or not. AS Il result of the con-
ference the ships course was altered
to southwest.
1t was about in the evening when
again the lookout hailed the deck.
This time it was a Russian who was
alCft. and l could not make out what
he said. But the captain, who hap
pened to be on deck at the time, hur-
richly called Won Mitschka, and him.
self went up the mast.
When he came down, Won Mitschka
was standing below it, and they i'm
mediately began to talk without mind
ing me. l was standing quite near
enough to oyerhcar what was said,
and did not think it incumbent upon
me to remove to Il greater distance.
since. after all, my safety, as we'll as
theirs. was in question.
1.-The fellow is right-a large steam
er. without doubt" said the skipper.
But what can a large steamer be
doing here:'
''rEat is just what 1 have been ask
ing myself"
A lolok passed between the two men.
from which I understood that they
feared that it was possible.
''They cannot have had information
since we sailed said Won Mitschla,
passionatcly.
The captain shook his head.
eve had better alter our course
said he.
Yes: but not to Il very great extent.
1t is possible. though not very likely,
that we have been seen already"
''I'retty certain that we have been, if
they are on the lockout for u.s." NUT
tered the skipper.
and we must not seem to be run
ming away. That would bring them
after us at once"
The ships course was altered so as
to bring her head still more to the
westward: and Won Mitschka ascend
ed the main shrouds. The captain
went forward to give some orders to
the men, who at once began to take
out some barrels from beneath the tar
paulin which covered the deck cargo.
Then he also went UP the to the cross
trees.
In about half an hour the two came
down. and noticed that their faces
were very pale. But about Won
Mitschlla's eyes there was a stern eX-
preston which made me certain that,
whatever might be in store for him. he
would not surrender without a struggle
and that of the fercest.
He went down into the cabin. and l
followed him.
May l ask what is the matter?'
said I, as our looks met
eve strongly suspect that we have
been betrayed-that yonder steamer is
a cruiser. sent to look for u.s.
He spol;e with perfect self-command.
1 confess that I did not receive the
news as coolly as he gave it. After all,
the quarrel was none of my making.
was not q Nihilist. and it seemed hard
that I should suffer death or perpetual
Imprisonment for the sins of others.
Yet knew well that could expect no
mercy if the crrliser-supposing her to
be such-took it into her head to search
the brig, and discovered the prisoners
we had on board.
I did not disturb the chief By any
further questions. 1t would have been
useless. He began to walk up and
down the cabin with long, hasty
strides. Suddenly the boom of heavy
gun reverberating over the sea. We
rushed on deck. and there. not a mile
away, was Il huge cruiser bearing
down upon us. with the Russian flag
flying at her peak.