The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-01-16
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render homa &c to its patriotism. Inank
God, it has not as yet suffered from the
horrors of al epidemic or famine, and
l have reason to think it will escape
them. But at the ramparts l could not
help admic::lg their courage. trust
the chief of the merchants hears my
words. and l beg him to report them as
such"
Il thank your highness in the name
of the town." answered the chief of the
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. "a 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 Voranzoff,
eve 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."
evil your highness permit me to
make an observation" said the chief
of the merchants.
"Make it, sir"
81 have seen the temperature fall
many d 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.
cit is a 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:
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-
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 ex
ercised different professions. 90. 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.
'They ask your highness' permits
sion." answered the head Of the police,
''to form special corps and to lead the
sortie"
"Yes," said the grand duke, with an
emotion which he did not seek to con-
ceal, "these exiles are Russians, and it
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 a 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?"
els he Russian?
Eyes, 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
doctor. He was an educated and char
liable 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 eXiles, up to that time scattered
among the population, had borne them
selves in battle in such a manner as to
draw the attention of the grand duke
In several sorties they had paid with
their blsd their 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 nei-
Their for graces nor favors, and when
the exiles formed a 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.