Crawford avalanche., 1899-06-29
A NIHILIsT's SACRIFICE.

ment the grim, Siberian prison be
low, throwing the low buildings int
strong relief, then leaving everything
blacker than before as another mass o.
clouds obscured its face.
Here and there around the place, /,
light fiickered feebly, showing the po
sition Of the sentries; and they, but
toned up tightly TO keep out the biting
wind, paced slowly to and fro. Insid,
the prison all seemed still, and to the
unsuspecting guards was so; but in tn,
outer block of buildings nearest the
river, a scene of silent activity was
taking place.
s.s"Have you got your cursed iron.
off?" inquired a voice, in whisper.
s."Almost, Ivan. But do not hurry
the guard will not be round for an hour
yet. What lucky thing it was you
managed to secrete these files. Now
our comrades can escape with us
Give the signal gently, Ivan"
Ivan silently went to the wall of the
cell and tapped three times, almost in
audibly. A moment later two similar
taps were heard from the other side.
"Yes, they are ready. Chakoff, and
will await our signal. What grand
night it is for the attemptr'
providence is helping us to escape
from this awful horror" said Cha
off.
"Escape-freedomr broke in Ivan.
Jure up. Back to Moscow, whether in
danger or not, to try and win wo-
man for my wife,"
"What? Then that is another tie to
bind us. Although we never met be-
fore being imprisoned here, we are
Joined by ties of friendship that moth
ing can break. Let me tell you my
story" continued Chakoff.
Five long, weary years ago, when l
was free man In Moscow, l loved a
woman who loved me in return, and
is still true to me.
"But 1 had a rival, whom l never
saw, nor even learnt his name, and he
determined to rid me from his path.
"One night, while at my society's
meeting, the police broke in and l was
arrested. From what was said, gath
cred that the information must have
come from one who could be no other
than his rival"
For a moment the men were silent:
only their heavy breathing telling of
their emotion. A strange recognition,
indeed, to take place in the darkness
Of prison cell-each to have been the
cause of the others imprisonment; to
be taken to Siberian hell to live
together for many years, and then,
just at the time they intended at
tempting escape, to suddenly discover
each others Identity.
"And you were my rival?' said
Chakoff. "And 1 told you my story,
never thinking it.
\. Clapk! clank! clank! The guard was
approaching.
''To your place-quick." he hoarsely
continued, forgetting in a moment the
exciting climax through which they
had just passed, and only thinking
of the promised liberty.
All unconscious of the danger which
threatened, the guard walked slowly
to the door, and, unlocking it, looked
into the cell. A deep groan smote his
ears.
'Shamming again. he muttered,
with a Russian oath. "A taste of my
knout will do him goodv
Stepping forward, he. was about to
carry out his brutal intention when
the figure on the floor, which the light
of the lamp he carried reveal, sudden
ly sprang up, and seized him in
terrible grip round the waist Simul-
taneously another sprang from the
darkness, and stifed the cry for help
which was rising. The lamp dropped
to the floor and went out, and rifle
luckily fell on the rough bed of straw.
To and fro the men staggered, no
sound being uttered. The emaciated
frames of the convicts, desperate as
they were, proved more than q match
for the herculean strength of the
guard, and slowly they gained the
upper hand. A few moments later he
was lying bound hand and foot on the
floor Of the cell.
80 far, so good" said Ivan, taking
the bunch of keys. "Take his great
coat, Chakofi; il may be very useful
to u.s."
Proceeding cautiously into the open
wind-swept square, Ivan arrived un-
seen at the next cell, and, selecting
a key from the bunch, he liberated
the overjoyed mon inside
A few moments served to release
about twenty. who armed themselves
with pieces Of the chains they had so
lately worn.
Suddenly q loud cry for help, in.
stantly answered by the nearest
guards, fell upon their ears, and they
realized that in some way the cap
tured man had eluded the vigilance of
Chakoff. Instantly n scene of wild
confusion began. The prisoners, some
OF them there for very little offense,
were determined to make the most of
the opportunity offered them for es-
cape, and seeing they could not leave
the precincts of the prison without
lighting the soldiers. they rushed to
meet them. "A handto-hand conflict
followed; for the soldiers dare not
use their rifles for fear of hitting one
OF themselves. This put them at a
disadvantage. and. being taken by
surprise, and also outhumbered. the
convicts made short work of them.
and at a signal from Chakoff, ran to-
wards the river. and. plunging In, all
safely reached the other bank.