Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-30
CHAPTER VIII.

I,ne saloon OF the Hendrix Hudson
would have been sore sight to the
eyes of Menzies. the Scotch steward,
II he had been there to see its terrible
dishevclment. Round the table four
dirty, sheep skinned soldiers sat and
fingered filthy pack Of cards. In each
mouth was stuck an evil smelling cl-
gar, and innumernble stains of jugs
and tumblers marked the smooth ma
hogany. The cellaret doors had been
burst open by the kicks Of lusty boots,
and books, broken crockery and heap
of little knickknacks strcwed the floor
The company had evidently feasted
where 1t slept. The dirty plates and
knives of the previous evening meal
were tossed carelessly into corner,
unwashed and sticky. The mud of
shore and forest was thick on carpets
and chairs.
One Of the men took sup from
jug beside him and cursed aloud.
ITO call this thin wash liquor" he
complained. 'I'd rather have the
scourings Of vodki cup whence all
had gone but the SMELL"
Hogs drink. cat lap" agreed an
other. "Never sup of real spirit can
I find aboarG-nothing but this watery
red filth"
Menzies would have been delighted
at this. None but he and his master
knew the hiding place of the grog-
room, by no means bad plan on
board yacht If you can trust your
steward. an exceedingly bad one II
you can't.
The claret would have been the de-
light of gourmet. Among these saw
age Tartars nothing short of vitriol-
and cheap vodki is that-deserved an
encomium. SO. though they continued
to sup e. the jug perfunctorily. they
didn't cease to condemn the contents.
The irritation born of their unaccus-
toned swillings made them quarrel
hugely over tlicir cards. They banded
accusations of cheating freely from
one 10 the other. The atmosphere was
thick with pol3ome smoke and heated
words.
hail came from their comrades on
the deck. One of them thrust his head
below the raised skylight, summoniug
them to come quickly. They reeled mp
the companion and stared stupidly
round them across sea and shore. Ono
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 800 yards away man
could be seen digging methodically at
the crag foot. Beside him lay brown
object, indistinguishable mt that dis
lance. The fellow was throwing up
the sand energetically and looked nel-
ther to the right hand nor the left.
There was but the one narrow slit In
the ringing rocks that gave view upon
him Mt all. 1t was evident he knew
nothing of the nearness of the yacht.
Yaroslatr, the corporal, snapped his
fingers in his delight. "What should
man bury herer 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
rmugglers. He's leaving this for the
Lapps without doubt. Now shall We
both preserve the law of. the empire
and get refrsshment fit for gentlemen
and soldiers. But quietly, you little
pigeons, quietly, and well see what
the old scoundrers up to-"
They stole silently across the gang
way and wormed among the shore
rocks till in circle they stood behind
tine 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.
crult, contained himself no longer. He
burst into roar Of laughter and strobe
forward, holding his sides, nor We're
the others slow 70 join In his hilarious
Rawlings. The man started up with
jerk of surprise. He faced round
upon them trcmbliIgly, his eyes wide
and staring. He sank upon the sand
and lifted his hands to the corporal
appealingly.
'Mercy, captain. mcrcy 1t is but 4
little store against the winter
The corporal smote his shoulder in
good humored fcrocity
''Son of dor he shouted. "As IL
didn't know you and your ways!
Why should Stcfin the forester, store
good liquor out hcro? You want to
trade with the Lapps, thing strictly
forbidden, ms well you know, you des-
perate old contrabandist! Now great
fine will be due from you"
"Mercyr' said old Stefan, groveling.
"Mercy, sir! 1t is little, little barrel,
and / nm of the poorest. All mine is
yours IL you but forDear the reporting
of me-" s
"This," said Yaroslaff, picking up
the barrel, sis neither yours nor mine.
1t belongs to the state, In whose name
contlscate ii. But our Little Father,
the car. always judges the labo-er
worthy of the hire. have exhausted
myself in tracking this foul piece of
smugglery. 1 need a tonic. Here
shall find 1t. Whose vodki is it, q
wicked old manT'
"Ivan's," answered the old jnger,
trembling, "but'-
'Ivans!' yelled the corporal. you
waste on filthy scum OF Lspps the
dlrlnest elixir ever distilled. or a
surety; Stefan. you are imbecle as
well ne particularly evil. taste 20 see
II yor Me-"
He raised the keg ana took mouth
full Ills eyes rolled. He gnsped ns
he set 1t down aud slapped his chest
ecstatically.
n