The Washington times., 1903-03-29

I
the cavern at once, for we had not SUI
fcIent provisions TO endure . siege, and
an hour after the news was. brought
we started. We thought we would have
tins, TO get away. for when our spy saw
you. you were bivouacking in forest
Yes, but we did not stay there long.
said the governor grimly. But what
of Baranok? Can't you tell me where
20 ind hIm?"
Gross shook his head
Il know no more OF his plans than
you do When we marched away
from the cavern. Valbort--his intimate
friend-started down the river after
him 10 tell him what had happened
whether or not he Joined him I can't
say Give me water. quick, I am suf-
fering such psin-oh, such terrible
agony"
Donald pressed the cap TO his lips.
and he drank eagerly.
All" exclaimed Sudekin. clapping
his hand to his knee. II have it,
The trail leading down the river was
! the one taken by BaranOk- We shall
catch him yet.
God grant il" muttered the gov
ernor. why did We not follow it In
the first place.
He would have questioned Gross
/ further. bur the latter's mind was
/ beginning 10 wander. and when Sude-
Ain asked him concerning the lost gold
he replied incoherently.
/ Let him alone commanded the
governor. We have csptives enough
from whom you can wiring that sec
ret"
/ He glanced around him for a mo-
ment. and then. turning to Donald.
demanded hurriedly. is there a path
leading down the river from the
cavern? ,"
Yes. your excelleucy-"
And are you familiar with it,"
Yes. sir
Then" said the governor. 4 Will
/ give you another opportunity OF serv-
! ing me. I will send a squad OF my
men after Baranok. and you shall
] guide them. Don't Oh any account
! lose the trail. and follow it 20 the end.
/ Sudekin. 1 appoint you to command
the party. and II you come up with
/ this fend. capture him alive II pos
be harmed I hold you responsible for
her safety"
This last clause must have made
Sudekin tremble in his boots. but he
answered firmly. Yes. your excel
lency"
II would 20 myself" continued the
governor with groan but am
wounded in the arm. and moreover have
, sprained my ankle slightly. so that I
could not keep up with you on foot
wiz follow your trail as rapidly as pos
sible bringing the dead and the prison
ers with me. so that we are sure to meet
unless snow falls in the meantime
Pick out any twelve men 10 suit
yourself. Sudekin. and start without de-
lay. When you reach the river you can
add the fellows whom I left there 10
your force. II IS an arduous task. for I
know that you are all tired. but l will
promise you a good long rest when you
! get back 10 the post station. Don't spare
your men. but keep them on a quick
step all the time"
With these fual instructions the gov
ernor turned away 10 make the ar
rangements for his own depaTture-nO
light task. for eight or nine OF his
wounded soldiers had TO be transported.
and Gross and Captain Urmanov as we'll.
The two latter would probably die. but
they could not be left behind.
As the living were not sufficient 10 as
sumo charge OF the captured convicts
and transport the wounded and the dead
Cossacks. the latter had 10 be left be-
hind. covered up with snow 20 protect
- a
be sent back 20 give them decent burial
The dead convicts were Inferred in the
snow without compunction or ceremony
II was n sad and dreary scene that
the bright sun Witnessed that morning
as it shone down into the ravine. and
gaunt gray wolves afar on ia the forest
shifted blood and carrion in the atmos-
phere.
a dearly won victory, Did the gov
ernor feel no remorse. no twinge oi
conscience. as he looked down on the
cold. dead faces OF the brave Cossacks
whose blind obedience 10 his command
had sent them up the hillside in the
teeth Of tnat raking FIRE?
Remorse? No. what had he 10 do
with remorse? Il was the fortune OF
war. and besides there were plenty more
Cossacks among the Cars levies What
mattered the loss Of a paltry score ot
mcn'
While General Tichimirof was thus
engaged. experimenting the burlals and
the construction % litters and the bind
ing OF the suiien. morose convicts. Don
aid and Colonel SUdekin with their Ilt-
tie force OF Cossacks. were Fastening
back to the river eager 20 track Feodor,
Baranok 20 his place Of refuge
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the,
came TO the mouth OF the valley. pick
ed up the Cossaeks who had RENAME,
there TO bury Leontef and without deIay
started down The shore.
The trail OF blood alone would no
have sudiced 10 guide them. for after 20
\ ing 4 short distance the red drops wer,
seen only al long intervals. but the othe
trail was plainly visible. the dull mari
OF footsteps on the icy snow crust