The Washington times., 1903-03-22

station was within a stones throw. he
did not even glance in that direction.
but pushed on faster than ever
Nothing but disgrace awaits me
there" he said bitterly. Il must trace
the stolen gold before I return. II sue
coed all will be well yet. and II fat. =
he glanced at the dark waters Sowing
beside him and shuddered.
NO. never that" he muttered reso-
lutely NO man shall call me coward.
will return and face the worst Colonel
Sudekin may perhaps be lenient with
me. for. in strict justice. I am not TO
blame for the loss OF the gold"
Andres thoughts were gloomy enough
as he pursued his way up stream. but
he was slightly cheered by recognizing
the locality where the sledge had been
overturned.
at was directly opposite that needle
shaped rock" he said to himself In
the spring the chests can be recovered
by divers: that reduces the loss by one
quarter at all events"
He soon came 10 the fording place,
marked by the swift ripping Of the
water. and here he found himself in
stantly at fault There was no place
along the shore sufficiently wide for
sIedges to land. for a rugged cliff rose
almost straight from the water
Perhaps there is another fording
farther up stream. where the other
sIedges crossed" he reflected, and
this fellow who was drowned fell be
hind his companions and blundered into
the river al the wrong place
Clinging TO this fOrlorn hope Andre
pushed resolutely ahead until sunset.
toiIing over the rugged blocks OF ice
that formed a narrow passage between
the water aud the edge OF the Gle. but
without hnding the least trace OF the
lost sledges-
He pursued his quest through part
Of the night. for che moon was shining
brightly. Wolves howled mOurnfully
far of in the forest. bus the sound gave
tired TO go any farther he laid himself
down between the rocks and tried TO
sleep.
But the danger OF freezing to death
was too great, so he rose and wandered
aimlessly about until daylight
He was now quite in despair. and after
eating a portion OF the food ne had
brought along he started TO retraee his
-ssH y. IN,
tentiou OF returning to the post station
and confessing his failure
All day Thursday he followed the
winding shore. passing unconsciously
within a short distance OF the Cossacks.
who were Fastening 70 the cavern.
Night found him yet far of from the
post road. and he was now so weak and
exhausted that he despsired OF reaching
il.
He pushed on. stumbling frequently
over the Jagged cakes Of ice, and just
when he realized that he could go no
/ farther he saw a dark. narrow assure in
the cliff close ahead OF him. He CROPPED
toward II and squeezed in between the
rocks The air was warm and dry, and
underfoot was something soft. like
straw.
Andre was too weary 20 feel any GU
riosity He staggered a yard or two.
and then dropped dOwp and went in
stantly to sleep.
General Tichimiroff and his force Of
Cossacks did not attempt to follow the
river. They kept parallel with it. but at
the distance OF a mile OF so back in the
forest.
A great many valleys had 20 De ira
versed. and a great many steep hills to
be climbed. but the snow crust was firm.
and they made splendid progress.
Donald led the way and the others fol-
lowed by tvos and threes. walking as
softly as possible: talking-when at all
in low whispers. and keeping a sharp
lookout on all sides for any convict
spies who might be abroad.
BY O'Clock on Thursday afternoon
they had covered fully thirty-hve miles,
and when a thick belt Of pine woods was
reached at sunset the column halted. by
the governors orders. for a brief rest
Pine boughs were broken of for bed
ding. and in the thick shelter OF the for
est the men got couple OF hours sleep
After a hearty meal the march was
resumed by moonlight. about 10 O'Clock
in the evening-the identical hour at
which Andre. miles away. was falling
asleep In his sung cleft among the rocks
There was plenty OF time TO cover the
Intervening fifteen miles, so the troops
marched leIsureIy. rebuilding their eau
ton. however. as they drew nearer 20
the cavern
A stir OF excitement ran through the
ranks when the narrow valley which led
straight out 10 the river was reached
for its proximity 20 the hiding place OF
the eonvicts had previously been ex-
planned TO the COssacks.
| Down through the rocks and trees
they wound in a long. silent line. catch
ing an occasional distant glimpse Of the
moonllt waters of the Angara.
Halt" The low. whispered com
mand issued from Colonel Sudekin's lips.