Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-01-30
ESCAPE FROM SIBERIA.
PeriIs of a Political Exile In His Escape
From Banishment.

Rurik Kowalisky, tells how he Jour-
neyed to Siberia with the express in
tention of rescuing an old student
friend, Alexis SemIonowski, who had
been exiled for life on account OF his
political views. For many weeks an
opportunity for escape is looked for,
but in vain. Then one day SemiOnOwsk1
is nearly drowned while bathing; in
fact, he is given up for lost by his
friends But be comes to the shore
and is secretly carried to his own home,
where be is hidden for some weeks in
a closet. Meanwhile permission Is Civ.
en- to his widow to return to Russia.
Semionowski is hidden in the. sledge,
covered over with furs, but just before
the frontier station is reached Co.'S
sack spy named FreOdore, who accom-
panies the party in another sledge, dis
covers the presence of the man who he
supposed to be dead. To outwit the
spy, the rescuer resorts to stratagem.
Mounting the box, where the spy sat
in sulky silence. l drove the sledge
clumsily down the incline we had now
reached. The Altai Mountains stretch
ed far away on the west and the from
tier-our goal-lay close ahead along a
rough road leading through broken
country. Suddenly l pulled the left
rein, the sledge upset and both of us
1oundered out into the snow. Before
the Cossack could rise seized him and
bound both arms with rope had in
readiness. A loaded pistol held to his
head gave additional weight to my
threats and demands, and he had no
choice but to obey my next order.
.Loosening bis arms for the pur-
pose, l made him take off his clothes
and put on others, and then l tied him
to tree, where left him, promising
him an early release if he behaved pro
perly. l left the sledge where 1t had
upset and harnessed one of the horsesto
the marta. In the meantime Alexis
came forth from his hiding place and
with my assistance-for his limbs were
so cramped thas he could hardly stand
hastily donned the Cossack's dress
and fur cap. His face had already
been stained with walnut juice SO as to
hide the paleness of his vlsage. His
emaciated figure was muff1ed in a long
fur cloak as much for disguise as for
warmth. Having completed his toilet.
the supposed Cossack mounted the box
beside me.
1--WE presently drove up to the Gus
tomhouse at Troitskaskavsk, a low,
wooden building by the roadside, about
200 yards from Chinese territory and
divided from it by the river Salenga,
which was spanned by stone bridge.
Two or three officials came out and the
weary business began. One of them
examined my pass, which was accept
ed without remarks. Meanwhile the
supposed Cossack rendered second
officer the papers connected with Nine,
Semionowski. He acted bis part cool
lily, answering questions in hoarse,
gruff voice.
"While the baggage was being search
ed the supposed Freodore advanced
and asked permission to travel witt
the party as far as Urgr, where he sai(
family affairs required his presence
For this purpose written pass had tt
be made out. Noticing that poo
Alexis was becoming chilled and fain
with such prolonged standing, calIet
to him to mount and control the horse
which were getting fidgetty at the de
lay. Meanwhile the official leisurel'
indo the remaining papers ant
calmly addressed himself to the task O
filling out pass for the supposed Cos
sack.
I'm order to hide my impatience,
looked out through a small windo'
which commanded the road which "
had just come. Heavens What di
I see? Far away down the road, rul
ming toward us. l saw the figure of
. Imam, shouting and brandishing b
Iarms as he ran. 1t was Freodore
Some peasant must have set him fire
Everything was lost, for in few M
ments the truth must transpire. Alex
what would be his fate?
"Quickly l turned, snatched Il
still wet passport from the hands of Il
astonished officer and then darted o
of the officer. l sprang to my frienc
side on the box, seized the reins an
with whip and voice, urged the hors
forward. Shouts and calls to st
came from behind us!and presently
bullet sped past us and touched o
middle horse, which, maddened wi
pain, dashed on like wildfre. A n
ment later the land of exile and bitt
bondage was left behind. The brid
had been gained and crossed we w
in Chinese territory, where the RI
slams dared not. follow US. For a ii
our perils were at an end.
"Little more now remains to be tC
except that we reached Tartar
campment in safety, staying W
these hospitable people till Alexir-,
strong enough to journey farther
Having accompanied the happy b
band and wife to place Of safet'
finally reached England, where
found that the moment a forelg
treads On British soil the bitter
mories Of past oppression and esp
age pass from him like fearful DIRE
and be stands redeemed and regene
ed by his new-found liberty"
Heads Should Never Ache.
Never endure this trouble. Us'
once the remedy that stopped it
Mrs. N. A. Webster, of Winnie,