Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-26

WNSTS u TItS UTSUSHVUf
opportunities to escape must be many.
The guard who controlled the door
of Darrells dungeon was q young Rus
sian named Kevski. Accepting for
granted the story of Sergius Bilowski
that came with the prisoner bearing
that name, he had treated Darrell with
sternness that forbade any attempt
at conversation, but they were brought
into more friendly relations by singu-
lar happening.
One evening, when Darrell was watch
Ing through his window the evolutions
of an unusually large force upon the
esplanade. he was astounded to per-
ceiye Ivan Getchikoff mounted upon q
horse and wearing the uniform OF q
brigadier. Evidently the rascal had
enjoyed recent promotion. Surrounded
by his staff, he took up position with
in fifty years of Darrell's window, and
the troops passed before him In review.
With no clear notion Of the useful
ness of the proceeding. but desiring to
make his presence known to Getchi-
koff, Darrell repeated that imitation of
the flute which had so surprised Lad
islov in the Partisan cafe. The sharp
sound reached Getchikoff's ears, and
he recognized it. Darrell had the sat-
isfaction of witnessing the nervousness
of his enemy, and he was piping Justify
when he heard the creaking Of the door
behind him. He snatched the big pen
(not, Of course. q necessary part Of the
musical performance) from his pocket
and turned to face Kevski, the guard.
"Where did you get aute" demand
ed Kevski.
81 have had 1t in my pocket all along"
said Darrell. 1T is not exactly flute.
1t is an American instrument.1aaza
--"why were you permitted 4 tain
it%
"My friend" said Darrell, who had
solved this puzzle by long study. 1T
was safer to let me carry my own prop
erty out Of Stavropol than to leave II
behind. When prisoners goods are or
dered to be destroyed. they have hab'
It of turning up again, as you are
aware. And mine would prove me an
American"
"You are not Russian; know that"
responded Kevski. "Is your name real
ly Sergius Bilowski?"
ut is not. My name, nay friend. ia
Darrell. l am an American"
Kevski seemed to be impressed.
America! All! That is the placer
he said. "They have no prisons there!'
"Oh, hold on now! They do have
prisons. We are not all angels" said
Darrell. "And prisons are necessary
in every land. But in America one
must commit a crime to be sent to
prison."
"I know, ! know" said Kevski, eager
to display his knowledge Of the distant
land of freedom. "My cousin, Andrea
Kevski, Is there. He wrote me letter
once. He is now a merchant, and bis
children 60 to school. He sits every
Sunday in a church. and no inspector
of police searches his house In his alb
sence. 1t Is a great country, that Amer.
ica."
ut is, indeed" said Darrell. II wish
It could know where ! am. | think
stavropol would be treated to sensa'
tion."
"Hush! My cousin says that In Amer
lea your people treat our people with
friendship. He says that 1t Is great
country, where railroads 60 every day,
that many of our people have large
farms, and the taxes are so light that
they can save money. Is 1t so?"
81 think so. know that there are
many Russian villages In our great
west"
$50. That Is what my cousin called
It, but I know little Of these things.
Could 1 get to American
"Well, If it was really an object and
/ got out of here. think you might
reach America"
Keyski seemed to think that the con-
versation had gone far enough in this
direction. He suddenly asked to see
the musical instrument, which he e1-
amined with childish wonder, making
laughable attempt to extort tone
from it. Then he returned it and has
tily left the cell. That evening Dar-
rell had a much better supper than
usual. On subsequent occasions the
conversation was resumed, and ut last
Kevski was led to definite statement
regarding the possibilities of escape.
at can be DONE" he said. "The Off
GERS of the prisoner trains do not care
for persons. They convey only names.
You are Sergius Bilowski. There are
in Gredskov men who have lived in the
north and whose friends are near the
Urals. One can be found to take your
name and place"
every good. That gets him to ST.
IBERIA. But what about me-"
"You and I must find u way to get
to America"
well find It," replied Darrell;
shave no fear"
The days now passed less miserably.
Kevski proved to be youth of intel
ligence, and the hours spent In telling
him about America shortened the pris-
on days for Darrell.
"Soon we shall be away from here, y