Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-09-15

he has played with the officers in mos
American cities-went direct to the
under side. found the weak spots, and
learned at first hand. whether or no,
they tthe powers that rule) we're in
terested in really keeping the city
clean, or were only on the graft"
He first secured permit from the
governor. Then got himself arrested
and was put in Jail. At his trial, while
the policemen were explaining his of.
fcnse and how they had searched him.
and were showing the Judge what they
had found in his pockets. he coolly
went into an inner pocket and produc-
ed his permit from the governor and
handed 1t to the Judge, explaining that
1t was something his men didn't find
In the absence of an American con-
sulate, the British vice consul was
very courteous, giving much informa-
ton about the people and town. also
introducing to us many pleasant En-
glish speaking people. The large
lumber interests of Archansel are
largely in the hands of Englishmen.
We took aboard in Solombala 42S
Siberian dogs. Is horses and six ST.
berian peasants as dog-tenders and
drivers, Then We dropped down the
river to anchor near a ranch house
where arrangements had been made to
purchase hay and grain as food for the
horses. That last days anchorage in
the mouth of the river Dwina was a
day to be remembered The sweet
smelling bales of hay were stacked
on frame work above the deck; the
peasants in their long blouses laboring
and sweating and no doubt swearing
as they worked to get 1t aboard and
in place. At midday, at the command
ants order, work was knocked off
for little breathing SPELL and the
entire crowd went in bathing. The
sunshine was hot. and the river water
coming from the SOUTH, pleasantly
warm. Many of the crew were Swedes
and swimming and diving are sports
in which Swedes distinctively excel.
lowered myself easily into the water
from one of the lighters alongside,
but not not so did the Swedes. From
the ships side, from the hay pile. high
er. from the rigging, higher yet. did
the boys leap. descending into the wa
ter after curving gracefully through
the air, like birds in flight
Afterwards we gathered on the deck
under the hay and watched the la
borers working in the field. They
wore long gray blouses. their faces
were scanned and wrinkled. and they
l,t
steady rythmic motion that bespoke
lCls practice. Birds were singing all
about us. the smell of new mown hay
and fragrant flowers was carried to
us from the land; the meadow grass
grew down to the waters edge, where
"A fringe of willows turned back the
tapping tide. On board the dogs dis
played their dislike of their crowded
quarters and their longing for run
on shore. by their snarling and fight
ing, and occasional forlorn bowling.
Later in the evening | stood near
the group of six Russians while we
were getting under way. and as we
drew out to sea. Like myself, they
were already long ways from home
They had come from near Tobolsk in
far-off Siberia, caring for the dogs on
the long journey to the sea coast. Part
way by train, part way overland, part
way by river packet. They were all
young men, one being but boy of sew
enteen. They had never been far from
home. and their journey so far had
kept them interested. Now they were
bound for an adventurous voyage to
the Northland which was, in their
minds at least. of uncertain outcome,
and they were taking their last look
at the home land. ] had been saying
goodbye for long time. Hurrying
from Durango, | passed hastily
through my old home in Kansas,
caught hurried glances of cities in the
middle west; had one glimpse of New
York; watched the Statue of Liberty
fade in the distance from the deck of
the Deutschland; hurried through
England and Scotland caught the ship
at Dundee and took part in the
leave taking there. At Tromsoe |
had helped with the work of loading
on the stores, and as we steamed out
of the beautiful harbor between the
grand mountains that lock in Troms
fjiord | had stood with uncovered
head and said, as | thought. last
goodbye to a pleasant world for sea
son of trial and danger l had done
with my leave-taking, but l watched
these men with interest as they looked
one long last look at their beautiful
country land. 1t was midnight ere we
were out of sight Of shore; the sun
lay low down on the horizon to the
north; the sky. was many colored.
though the colors were mostly SOM
ber, as is the wont of the north. The
land looked warm and pleasant. There
were tears in the eyes of the Rus
SLAMS at the last and ! was glad to
see them, for they we're sacred tears
of sorrow, bespeaking kindly. home
loving hearts, and they endeared the
men to me.
Such for weay year. was our last
glimpse of summerland.
r. l.. VINYARD.
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