The Washington times., 1903-03-29


and none other. who killed Lcontef and
threw the body into the river. have
no doubt that Barauok discovered every
thing. BY the way. is that paper still
on the body"
Donald made hasty examination and
reported that il was missing.
Il thought So" resumed the gov
ernor. Poor Leontef must have play
ed his cards badly. 1t makes my blood
boil to think how near at hand these
rumans are. There is only one course.
We must attack their stronghold, and
al once Now Will be a GOOD time, for
I judge from the existence OF this trail
leading over the hill that number Of
the scoundreIs have gone of on some
expedition or other.
Yes: l am resolved 10 make the at
tack at once il it costs me half my men.
II delay. my daughter viii be lost to
me forever, while II these dogs know
that / am at the head OF the attacking
party they will not dare 10 harm hair
Of her head"
Here the governors voice broke
down. II was evident that he had but
little faith in his own assertion.
His companions pitied him sincerely.
for they. too. realized that an attack on
the cavern might lead Baranok in his
rage to take the life Of his captive.
Donald knew well the impregnable
nature Of the place. and that it could
I only be taken at the cost OF many lives,
! II even then, but he saw that advice OF
remonstrance from him would have no
effect on the governor.
Z Sudekin and Urmanov. both brave and
sknlfuI soldiers. were inclined to favor
1 the attack. and they hurriediy began to
/ discuss plan OF action
I'D like to know what the situation
/ is in the cavern at present" said the
/ governor. The rascaIs may be all
asleep. VIII you slip ahead and recon
] noIter. ChomIay? You are the only one
that can do it
This assignment was by no means tc
DonaId-s liking. but with brief hesita-
tion he answered. Yes"
since Leontef is dead and cannot tes-
tify in my favor" he reflected. Il shall
have all the more need OF the governor
good will"
After promising TO be cautious, and tc
return as soon as possible. he set forth
on his periIous mission armed with a
1 pair OF loaded revoIvers.
The wsding part OF the journey was
accomplished without accident. for the
river was no higher than it had been OF
the previous occasion. and at slast he
drew his wet. numbed feet out on tho
first step OF the narrow ledge.
Now came the reh danger and sus-
ponse. for he was liable al any moment
10 encounter one or two Of tho convicts
in which event il would be simply q
question OF who could shoot first
step by step Donald moved along he
precarious path. now far up toward the
beetiing clih. now low down to the verge
OF the muddy. rushing torrent
At last the angle OF the passage cam,
in sight and now he redoubIed his eau.
ion. knowing that the cavern was bu
a few feet off.
Trembling and breathless he reached
the spot and thrust the tip OF his nos,
beyond the edge OF the rock. He coul'
see where the ledge terminated. an'
even bit Of beach as well. but no sen
try was in sight. and though he ltstene
long and keeniy. he could hear .nothin
but the roar OF the wafer as ll dashe
among the rocks
40 fires could be burning or the smok
would have been visible. The wind wa
blowing directly toward him
, Could the governors conjecture b.