The Washington times., 1903-04-05

on our heels. Your time has come. yon
cur, and the secret of the gold will die
with YOU"
He rose sua..enIy to his feet. and liz
ing Andre in his strong arms, swung him
to and fro. once twice. thrice, Then
he launched him far out into the air.
and with dull plunge Andre vanished
beneath the dark waters of the Angara.
He struggled o the surface few sec
onds later. and. with the instinct Of
life YET strong within him. swan feebly
toward the shore.
The cruel ice had bruised his back and
limbs. and sharp pains were darling
through his throat. but he vanquished
the current that was yearning to suck
him out into the black depths OF the
river. and gained the edge OF the sce
foe With both hands he caught it
and cIung fast, too weak to pull him
self out of the chilling water.
But Baranok lad been watching his
victim as eat watches a mouse. and
now be picked his way leisurely down
to the shore with fieDdish smile on
his face
It's no use, my friend" be said. with
mock pleasantly You must die. I
have no mercy for those who wear the
Cars uniform"
Mercy" implored Andre For
heavens sake. have mercy"
Mercy laughed Baranok There is
no such word in RUSSIA"
He stamped his heavy booted feet
down on his victims hands, and. with
gasp OF pain. Andre dropped back into
the water and was swept away By tho
angry current.
Twice he sank, twice he rose to the
surface. and as he was going under for
the third and last time he tossed up his
arms despairiugIy and clutched the rim
OF ice again.
It was but temporary Teprieve, he
knew we'll The end must come in mo-
meut OF two at furthest, for strength and
life had almost departed from his bruised
and aching body. and there was his en-
envy coming swiftly toward him, stopping
on the way to pick up short knotted
limb that had dropped from tree
With The caImness OF despair, Andre
awaited the end. riveting his eyes with
an irresistible fascination on the con-
vicgs cruel face. Closer and closer came
Baranok. toying with his club. Now he
was On the ice. ten feet away-eight feet
six feet
Your sturdy fight for life deserves
some recompense.'' he said. wrinkhns
his Scared features into a hideous smile
ct am not blind to merit even in an en-
envy. You shall have the coup de grace
He twisted the club in his supple wrist
TO get the kDotted end undeTmost. and
then raised il aloft.
Andre zrIadered and closed. his eyes.
One-two-three seconds passed In
silence.
Help, Help!" Yslbort's frightened
voice echoed down the river
Baranok's arm relaxed. and without
glance at Andre he turned and ran &
few steps up The beach
Wen might his face turn swiftly pale.
Long delayed retribution was on his
track.
AZ 1uu speed around tire rocky pro-
montory came Donald Chumleigh. and
and a file OF Coszacks-
Surrender. Surrender they cried.
We have got you this time"
For p brief second Baranok stood still,
and the expression Of his face trans
formed to canvas would have given the
painter immortal renown. All the evil
Dassions Of his nature were coucen-
trated there.
Then. as The Cossacks rushed forward,
he snarIed like a wounded panther, and.
lifting his club. sprang half way to meet
them
The story Of that conflict was told
for years alterward around Siberian
camp fires and mess tables.
The Cossacks could have shot him
down where he stood. but their orders
were 10 take him alive, and so con-
scfentiousIy did they obey that they
would not even use their dubbed rifles
Tor fear of in1icting fatal injury.
Single handed they closed around him.
and. in The proud fullness Of his strength
ana stature. he seemed like a giant
among Pysmies.
The very first blow OF his knotted
club broke one poor fellows neck as
If if had been pipe clay; The second
blow splintered an arm. and with yet
third stroke ne split open a Cossack's
skull.
Then they were upon him from all
sides. and for a brief instant he was
down and out of sight But not with
such ease was the terrible Feodor Bar
anok to be subdued-
He had in him the strength Of a dozen
men. and twice he struggled 10 his
Ene,s and then firmly to his feet. snaTI-
ing and cursing like demon, and shak-
ing off the soldiers as an old she bear.
brought 10 bay. shakes of the pack of
yelpIng ours.
again and again the Cossacks re
turned o the attack, having shut of
every avenue Of escape by placing men
with loaded rifles above and below the
shore. and when. for the fourth time,
they had forced their terrible enemy
Gown and the end seemed surely TO be
af hand he flung them to right and left
bv truly HercuIeau EFFORT. and. Selling
one Of their number, used The poor fell
low al batterins ram o beat down mis-
comrades.
80 struck right and left. ACCOMMODATING