The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-12-07

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 rec I'd up
the companion and stared stupidity
round them across sea and shore. One
of the men who had been on deck
pointed to where cleft in the ring of
rocks showed the cliffs of the farther
bay About 300 yards away man
could be seen digging methodically at
the crag foot. Beside him lay a 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 bay for the
smugglers. He's leaving this for the
Lapps without a doubt. Now shall We
both preserve the law Of the empire
and get refreshment fit for gentlemen
and soldiers. But quietly, you little
pigeons, quietly, and We'll see what
the old scoundrePs up to-
They stole silently across the gang
way and wormed among the shore
rocks till in circle 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
a 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 g
little store against the winter"
The corporal smote his shoulder il
good humored ferocity.
"Son of a dog!' he shouted. "As il
1 didn't know you and your ways
Why should Stefan, the forester, store
good liquor out here? You want tC
trade with the Lapps, a thing strictly
forbidden, as well you know, you des
perate old contrabandistl Now a grea
fine will be due from you"
"Mercyw said old Stefan, groveling
"Mercy, sir 1t is little, little barrel
and 1 am of the poorest. All mine i:
yours if you but forDear the reportinf
of me-"
"This," said Yaroslaff, picking VI
the barrel, sis neither yours nor mine
1t belongs to the state, in whose name
1 confiscate it. But our Little Father
the car, always judges the laborei
worthy of the hire. have exhausted
myself in tracking this foul piece o
smugglery. 1 need a tonic. Here
shall find it. Whose vodki is it, {
wicked old man?"
'Tvan's," answered the old jaeger
trembling, ''but''-
'Tvan'sl" yelled the corporal. 'Yol
waste on filthy scum of Lapps tn
. divinest elixir ever distilled OF ;
, surety, Stefan, you are imbecile a
well as particularly evil. L taste to SCI
if you lie.'
He raised the keg ana took mouth
full. His eyes rolled. He gasped a
he set it down and slapped his ches
! ecstatically.
"Ivans liquid fire, by all that
holyr' he bawled NAY" as the 9th