Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-17

formation, made sign which was an
order for death, and the heads OF the
two prisoners would have rolled on the
ground had not Ogareff uttered few
words which arrested the sword al
ready raised.
The Russian had perceived that these
prisoners were strangers, and he Or
dered them to be brought up to him.
They were Harry Blount and Alcide
JOlivet.
On Ogareff's arrival In the camp they
had demanded to be conducted to his
presence. The soldiers had refused. In
consequence, struggle, an attempt ut
flight, shots fired which happily missed
the two correspondents, but their exc
cution would not have been long de-
layed If ii had not been for the inter-
yention Of the emir's lieutenant.
The latter observed the prisoners for
some moments, they being absolutely
unknown to him. They had been pres
ent at the scene In the posthouse at
Ichim In which Michael Strogoh had
been struck by Ogareff, but the brutal
traveller paid no attention to the per-
sons then collected In the common
room.
Blount and Jolivet, on the contrary,
recognized HIM at once, and the latter
said in a low voice: "Hello! 1t seems
that Colonel Ogareff and the rude per-
sonage of Ichim are one"
Then he added in his companions
ear:
Explain cur affair. Blount. You will
do me a service. This Russian colonel
in the midst Of Tartar camp dlsgusts
me, and although, thanks to him. my
head Is still OH my shoulders, my eyes
would exhibit my feelings were ! to
attempt to look him in the face"
So saying. Alcide Jolivet assumed
look of complete and naughty indilfer-
ence.
Whether or not Ivan Ogarelf percciv.
ed that the prisoners attitude was IN
sulting toward him, he did not let 1t
appear.
"Who are you, gentlemen!" he asked
in Russian in cold tone. but free from
its rudeness.
1.-TWO correspondents Of English and
French newspapers" replied Blount la
concally.
"You have doubtless papers which
will establish your IDENTIFY?
Here are letters which accredit US
In Russia from the English and French
chancellor's office"
Ivan Ogareff took the letters when
Blount held out to him and read them
attentively. Then said he:
"You ask the authorization to follow
our military operations in Siberia"
"We ask to BE- free; that is all, an
swered the English correspondent dry
ly.
"You are so, gentlemen" answered
Ogareff, land shall he curious to read
your articles in The Daily Telegraph
"Sir" replied Harry Blount, with the
most imperturbable coolness, "it Is six
pence a number, inclnding postage
And thereupon Blount returned to his
companion, who appeared to approve
completely Of his replies.
Ivan Ogarelf, without frownlng,
mounted his horse and, going to the
head of his escort, soon disappeared in
a cloud Of dust.
"Well, NJ. Jolivet, what do you think
of Colonel Ivan Ogareff, general IN
chief of the Tartar troopsT' asked
BlOunt.
81 think. my dear friend" replied
Alcide. smiling, that the housch-b2gui
made a very graceful gesture when he
gave the order for our heads to be cut
off,"
Whatever was the motive which led
Ogaref to act thus in regard to tue
two correspondents, they were free ana
could rove ut their pleasure over tue
scene Of war Their intention was not
TO leave it. The sort Of antipa;hy
which formerly they had entertained
for each other had given place to sin
cere friendship Circumstances having
brought them together, they no longer
thought of separating. The petty ques-
tious of rivalry were forever eXtin-
guished. Harry Blount could never
forget what he owed his companion,
who. on the other hand, never tried 10
remind him of it. This friendship, too,
assisted the reporting operations ana
was thus to the advantage OF their
readers.
"And now" asked Blount, what
shall we do with our libertyT
"Take advantage Of it, OF course
replied Alcide, land go quietly to Iomsk
to see what Is going on there.
until the time-very near, l nope
| when we may rejoin some Russian reg
iment."
"As you say, my dear Blount, 1t wont
do TO Tartarize ourselves too much.,
The best side is that Of the most civf
lized army. and it is evident that the
| neonle of central Asia will have every
thing to lose and absolutely nothing TO
gain from this invasion, while the Rus'
slams will soon repulse them. 1t is
only matter Of time"
The arrival of Ivan Ogaref, whicn
bad given Jolvet and Blount their lib
erty. WAS to Michael Strogof, on the
contrary, a serious danger. Should
chance bring the cars courier into
Opareff's presence the latter could nov
fail to recognize in him the traveller
whom he had so brutally treated at the
Ichim posthouse, and, although MI
chael had not replied to the insult as
he would have done under any othei
circumstances, attention would DC
drawn to him, and at once the accom-
plishment Of his plans would be rem
dered more difficult.
This was the unpleasant side OF the
business. A favorable result OF MS
arrival, however, was the order when
was given to raise the camp that very
dav and remove the headquarters to
TOmsk.
This was the accomplishment OF MI
chaers most fervent desire. His inten'
ton. as has been said, was to reacn
Tomsk concealed among the other pris'
oners-that is to say, without any FISK
of falling into the hands OF the SCOUTS
who swarmed about the approaches 10
this important town. However, In con.
sequence of the arrival Of Ivan Ogaren
and in the fear Of being recognized Dy
him. he questioned whether 1t would