The Washington times., 1903-03-15
CHAPTER XIII.
A STRUGGLE ON THE WATER.

That the cOnvicts had arranged be-
forehand what disposition 10 make OF
the stolen gold was quite evident from
the furious and yet confident manner in
which they drove the sIedges away from
the post station. keeping at first to the
road and finally turning northward into
the forest between two gently slipping
hills-a most amazing proceeding. when
it is remembered that beyond the post
road no beaten track existed for either
horse or sledge
But these daring fellows had plainly
made themselves familiar with the
neighborhood by frequent visits. for in
spite OF the binding snow and the thick
drifts that the eddying wind had tossed
up here and there. they dashed the horse
unsparingly. and the maddened animals
-four to each sledge-plunged onward
through the rock strewn bed OF the ra-
vine. their slight track speedily covered
up by the drifting snow.
The excitement OF this reckless. ride
was lost on Andre Dagmar He lay
tightly wedged between two heavy chests
Of gold in the hindomst sledge. obIivious
to the terrific jolting OF the vehicle as
II bounded over the rocks or swept
through thickets of stunted bushes.
The dropping branches OF trees pres
entity tore of the stout leather top.
framework. and all and as the snow
began to beat freely on Andres upIift-
ed face he returned to a dim sort Of con
seriousness. in which an aching head was
the only tangible thing that his mind
could CRASH
The rest he saw and heard through a
dream-the forest overhead. the falling
snow. the violent pitching of the sledge
the mad plunging OF the horses. and the
hOarse yelling OF the driver as he crack
ed his whip.
Andre had not the least idea where he
was, nor for that matter did the con-
victs know he was there They had for
gotten him from the moment that he
fell senseless under the heavy blow.
The creaking and grooming Of the
sledge increased each minute until II
seemed TO be falling TO pieces: then VIC
lent motion subsidized and a dash OF lev
water suddenly spurted over Andre.
wetting him literally from head TO foot.
and clearing his brain as r. by magic
He wiped the drops from his face and
sat bolt upright between the closets. A
short struggle with his memory recalled
the attack on the post station. and a
glance at his surroundings made the
situation clear.
The sledge was moving slowly across
the wide stream-evidently a ford. for
the water did not come quite 10 the
sides. and the sharp click OF hoofs on
the stony bottom could be heard dis
tinctIy.
The shore that Andre faced was slow
~ reccding. and when he turned and
looked in the other direction beyond the
driver. who was in plain view on the
seat. he saw the dim outline Of the OPP
posite bank through the driving clouds
of snow.
A brief reflection convinced Andre that
his presence on the sIedge was unknown.
and hc brcathed more freely.
His head seemed TO be splitting with
pain. but the application OF some snow
TO the big lump produced by the blow
eased him considerably. and he began 20
think of getting out OF his unpleasant
situation.
Il wonder where I am" he muttered.
under his breath. Some place on the
Angsra River. probably HelIol What's
that?"
Above the whistling OF the wind he
heard the dali rattle of musketry, now
in brisk aud rapid volieys, now a sue
cession of single reports.