The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-01-01

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Yes" said the grand duke, and
render homage to it's patriotism. Thank
God, it has not as yet suffered from the
horrors Of an epidemic Or 4 famine, and
| 7 have reason to think it will escape
them. But 1T the ramparts l could not
help admiripg their courage. l trust
the chief cf the merchants hears my
words, anG beg him to report them as
such"
Il thank your highness in the name
of the town." answered the chief OF tie
merchants. May dare to ask you
when you expect at Latest the arrival
of the army Of relief"
In six days at most" answered the
grand duke. n sharp and courageous
emissary has been able to penetrate
into the town this morning, and he has
informed me that $4,000 Russians are
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 nor
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
Every 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 Foranzof'
I'VE will visit tomorrow" said he, 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 to
make an observation?" said the chief
Of the merchants.
make it, SIR
81 have seen the temperature fall
many q 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, can assure your high
ness they cannot possibly cross in that
manner" The governor general con-
frmed this assertion.
"It is very fortunate circumstance, "
answered the grand duke. 'Neverthe-
less let us be prepared for every emer2
! gency."
Then, turning to the head Of the po-
lice, he asked him:
"Have you nothing to say to me?'
"I have to place before your high
ness" said the head Of the police, "a
petition which has been addressed to
YOU
by whom"
sBy the exiles Of Siberia, who, as
your highness knows, are to the num-
Der 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 eA-
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 car, 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. -,
'sThey ask your highness' permis-
sion," answered the head Of the police,
ITO form a special corps and to lead the
sortie."
"Yes,'' said the grand duke, with an
emotion which he did not seek to cen
ceal, "these eXiles are Russians, and it
IS indeed their right to isht foc 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"
"Is he Russian?
eyes, q 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 a
J doctor. He was an educated and char
i liable man and at the same time man
Of the greatest courage and patriotism.
When he was not occupied with the
! sick, he was engaged in organizing re.
sistance. It was he who had united his
companions in exile in common action.
The exiles, 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 witt
their bloo0 tnelr debt to holy Russia
holy indeed and adored by her children.
Wassili Feodor had conducted himself
heroically. On several occasions his
name had been mentioned as the bray
est Of the brave. but he had asked nell
ther for graceS nor favors, and when
the exiles formed 4 special corps he
had no idea they would choose him as
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-
Eoff, "Wassili l'eodor is {; man Of valor
and courage His influence over his
companions has always been very
great
How long has lie been at Irkutsk:'
asked the grand duke.
1.-TWO years
! "And his conduct"
; His conduct" answered the head
Of the police, "is that Of a man wl'o