The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-08

as the fusitives sped on through the
deepening snow. momcntarily expecting
to hear the tramp Of troops in front.
a very different sound fen on their ears
from the roar-a hoarse command 10
stop
Faster. Fas,er!" painted Donald.
We can outdistanee them
The race cant last long easped
The operator. in reply. and thea they
I plunged on side by side. every muscle
strained ana every nerve on the Ebert.
But the pursuers were coming on
behind with great strides. and sud
denly sharp report rang out and a
red fash lit up the darkness.
Crack, Crack, Two more shots we're
fred, and this zine DonaId's companion
uttered sharp cry and plunged head
ioHg in the snow.
Doaald stopped and leaned over him.
Where are you hite'' he whispered
Eoarsely Give me your rife. quick
won't desert you"
But the poor Russian neither moved
nor spoke. Donald tried 70 lift him I'D.
but he slipped Imply out II his grasp
back into the snow.
Crack, Another bullet whistled over
head and brought TO Donald a stern
sense OF his responsibility.
His duty was TO the living. NOT the
dead; and picking up the poor operators
rifle he dashed on again. with tears OF
sympathy rolling down his ebeeks. and
In mis- heart tigerish hatred OF tn.
men who had done this cruel murder
Twice he turned and fred back into
the darkness. hoping thus 70 scarce of
his pursuers. but he gained only TEN
porary advantage. and glancing over his
shoulder as he ran he saw three dim
figures slowly overhauling him.
He thought at times that he must give
up the struggle and drop. for the snow
had drifted in the road and beat fur-
lously on his face but the homes Of
thWarting the cOnvicts at the very mo
ment OF their greatest success gave him
superhuman strength. and he plunged
on, staggering from side TO side TO dodge
the bullets that whistIed by his ears
Well might Waldorf and his compan-
ions strive their best 10 overtake the
neeing figure in front OF them. for they
knew clearly what il meant If they fall
ed but shots proved futile. and in spfte
OF their -fOOtedness they gained
but slowly on the fugitive
Sooner or later they must overfaLa
him. provided-Ah, IL is TOO late,
Hank. \ dun. mufied sound echoes
through the night. is borne swiftly on
he wind Il comes nearer and grows
louder until its origin is beyond doabt
The air is shaking now with the
thunderoUs pounding OF hoofs. and
rushing like whirlwiud through the
falling snow came a squad Of Cossarks-
urging their wiry little horses to their
top speed.
Dimly Donald sees their approach and
'saiizes that he is saved
stop, Stop," he cries. and as he
-eels blindly into their very path. and
'clls hOarseIy. and waves his arms and
shoots his rife in the air The ferv
horses are Ieined back on their
and stop within q foot o. two
# the madly gesticulatiRg figure.
Breathlessly Donald tells his story.
ma there are many ordinations OF an
.er and surprise. but no word Of doubt
Nalocrt and his companions have
hrunE of intO the forest where pur-
uit is useless. so the Cossacks wheel
round, Dopaid mounted behind the
aader, and so pounding back through
he snowy night-tack az terrific speed
the lille post station by the Ansara
o rescue the Cars convoy OF gold
rom the threatening peril