Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-21
If they don't pay dearly for this inva
eli nP inI

render homage to it's patriotism. THANH
God, it has not as yet suffered from th'
horrors of an epidemic or famine. ant
have reason to think 1t will escape
them. But at the ramparts could no
help admiring their courage. | trus
the chief of the merchants hears my
words. and beg him to report them n!
SUCH"
Il thank your highness in the name
Of the town." answered the chief Of th'
merchants. May | dare to ask yol
when you expect at latest the arriva
Of the army Of reliefT' @a.
"In six days at most" answered thu
grand duke. "A sharp and courageous
emissary has been able to penetrate
into the town this morning, and he ha:
informed me that $4,000 Russians art
advancing by forced marches under the
orders of General kissely. They were
two days ago on the banks Of the Lena
at Kirensk. and now neither cold mol
snow will prevent their arrival. Fifty
thousand good troops. taking the Tar
tars on the flank. would soon relieve
u.s."
81 would add" said the chief Of the
merchants. "that the day on which
your highness shall order a sortie We
shall be ready to execute your orders. ,
"Very we'll. SIR" answered the grand
duke. LET us wait until the leading
columns appear on the heights. and we
will crush the Invaders"
Then. turning to General Voranzof
1--WE will visit tomorrow" said he. 1.-THE
works on the right bank. The Angara
will soon become icebound. and per-
haps the Tartars will be able to cross
it."
"Will your highness permit me tc
make an observation?" said the chief
of the merchants.
MAKE it, sir"
81 have seen the temperature fall
many a time to 80 and 40 below zero
and the river has been filled with float
ing pieces of ice without being entirely
frozen. This Is owing no doubt to the
rapidity Of the current. If, then, the
Tartars have NO other means Of cross
ing the river. l can assure your high
ness they cannot possibly cross in that
manner" The governor general con
firmed this assertion.
ut is very fortunate circumstance,
answered the grand duke. "Neverthe'
less let US be prepared for every emer'
gency."
Then. turning to the head Of the po'
lice, he asked him:
"Have you nothing TO say to me"
81 have to place before your high
ness," said the head Of the police, "a
petition which has been addressed to
you"
"By whom"
"By the exiles of Siberia, who. as
your highness knows, are to the num-
ber of 500 in this city"
The political eXiles, scattered all over
the province. had indeed been concen.
trated at Irkutsk from the commence
ment Of the invasion. They had obey
ed the order to rally at the town and
to abandon the villages where they ex.
ercised different professions. Some
were doctors, others professors, either
at the Japanese school or at the school
of navigation. From the beginning the
grand duke, like the czar, trusting to
their patriotism, had armed them, and
he had found in them brave defenders.
"What do the exiles ask for" said
the grand duke.
"They ask your highness' permits
sion," answered the head Of the police,
"to form a special corps and to lead the
sortie."
"Yes." said the grand duke, with an
emotion which lie did not seek to con-
ceal, these exiles are Russians, and 1t
Is indeed their right to fight for their
country"
81 can assure your highness," said
the governor general. that we have no
better soldiers"
But they must have leader" said
the grand duke. WHO shall he be-"
would your highness like to have
one" said the head Of the police. 'who
has distinguished himself on many oc-
casions!"
us he Russian"
"Yes. a Russian Of the Baltic prov
inces."
What Is his name?"
"Wassili Feodor."
That exile was the father Of Nadia.
Wassili Feodor, as is known. exer.
ciSed at Irkutsk the profession Of q
doctor. He was an educated and char
table man and at the same time a man
of the greatest courage and patriotism.
When he was not occupied with the
sick. he was engaged in organizing re.
sistance. 1t was he who had united his
companions in exile in common action.
The cXilcs. up to that time scattered
among the population. had borne them
selves in battle in such manner as to
draw the attention Of the grand duke.
In several sorties they had paid With
their blood their debt to holy Russia
holy indeed and adOrcd by her children
Wassili Fcotor had conducted himself
hcroic;tily On several Occasions his
name had been mentioned as the bray
est of the brave, but he had asked mel
ther for slaces nor favurS. and when
the cyilrS formed Il special corps hl
had no idea they would choose him rs
their leader. When the head Of the
police had pronounced that name be
fore the grand duke. the latter replied
that it was not unknown to him.
Indeed" answered General Noran
zuff, "Wassili Frudor is Il man of valoi
l..i .--...u...x.. III. i,hu,,niA1.L. nunI LII