Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-07-05
A NIHILlsT's SACRIFICE.

Au6 Sso"AS uNiosS tHe shy, urlNeu ny IL
steadily rising wind. The moon, shin.
ing through the riffs. lit up for mo.
ment- the grim, Siberian prison be.
low, throwing the low buildings into
strong relief, then leaving everything
blacker than before as another mass of
clouds obscured its face.
Here and there around the place, a
light flickered 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. Inside
the prison all seemed still, and to the
pnsuspecting guards was so; but in tho
outer block of buildings nearest tho
river, q scene of silent activity was
taking place.
Have you got your cursed irons
OFF," inquired voice, in a whisper.
almost, Ivan. But do not hurry;
the guard will not be round for an hour
yet What n 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 We're heard from the other side.
eyes, they are ready, Chakoff. and
will await our signal. What grand
night it is for the attempt!'
providence is helping us to escape
from this awful horror" said Cha.
off.
Misrepresentation" broke in Ivan.
ooh, what thoughts does freedom con-
jure up. Back to Moscow. whether in
danger or not, to try and win n wo-
man for my wife"
"What? Then that is another tie to
bind us. Although we never met be-
fore being imprisoned here. we arc
Joined by ties of friendship that moth
ing can break. Let me tell you my
story" continued Chakoff.
give long, weary years ago, when l
was free man in Moscow, loved a
woman who loved me in return, and
is still true to me.
"But l had 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 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 n moment the men We're 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 a 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 We're my rival?" said
Chakoff. "And told you my story
never thinking it"
Clank! clank! clank! The guard was
approaching.
ITO your place-Quickw he hoarsply
continued, forgetting in n 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 gronn smote his
ears.
"Shamming again. he muttered
with Russian oath. ga taste of my
knout will do him good!"
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 Il
terrible grip round the waist. Stimuli
taneously another sprang from the
darkness, and stitled the cry for helr
which was rising. The lamp dropped
to the floor and went out, and II rife
luckily fell on the rouge bed of straw
To and fro the men staggered, nc
sound being uttered. The emaciated
frames of the convicts, desperate as
they were, proved more than mattel
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.
$50 far, so good" said Ivan, taking
the bunch of keys. "Take his great
coat, Chakoff; it may be very usefu
to u.s."
Proceeding cautiously into the oper
wind-swept square, Ivan arrived un
seen at the next cell, and. selecting
n key from the bunch. he liberated
the overjoyed men inside.
A few moments served to release
about twenty, who armed themselve.
lately worn.
Suddenly n loud cry for help, in
stantly answered by the nearest
guards. fell upon their ears, and the,
realized that in some way the cap
tured man had eluded the vigilance o.
Chakoff. Instantly scene of wild
confusion began. The prisoners, som,
of them there for very little offense
We're determined to make the most O
the opportunity offered them for es
cape, and seeing they could not leav,
the precincts of the prison witliou
fighting the soldiers. they rushed t,
meet them. A hand-to-hand conflic
followed; for the soldiers dare no
use their rifles for fear of hitting on,
Of themselves. This put them at /,
disadvantage. and, being taken b!
surprise, and also outnumbered, til
convicts made short work of them
and Mt n signal from Chakoff. ran to
wards the river. and. plunging in, al
safely reached the other bank.
The officer in command had beel
stunned by blow from the but
end of rifle in the hands of Ivan
which the latter had wrenchcd from
the clasp of wounded soldier. and
therefore, no instant chase was given
but the deputy governor was quickl
on the scene. and he taking the com
mand, strong force set out in pursui
three hours later.
A band of fifteen hu.gry and wear
men rested the night following TIL
escape in n clump of woods. Seve
men had succumbed to the horrors O
thn DAVIS march thrnii1h the hrol,e