The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22

/ from the post station must nave mad
many acquaintances among the others.
to judge from the warm welcome that
was extended to them. They embraced
afectionateIy. and in some cases shed
/ tears.
/ The greater part Of this convict band
probably belonged to the "Terrorists"
that vast secret organization OF Rus
STA which relies or dynamite and assas-
sination for the accomplishment Of its
ends. and has nothing in common with
the Socialists. who advocate milder
measures
| Donald who held aloof from the rest.
was regarded with suspicion, and made
the object OF more than one whispered
/ conversation.
/ No one but Waldorf knew him. and
I that individual was too deeply engaged
I in consultation with one OF his com
/ panlons to make any explanation
Donald was standing near enough to
catch a whisper OF their conversation.
and the words made his heart leap.
/ Where is the girI?" asked Waldorf
/ Il hope no harm has befaIlen her
NO" replied the other. she is
safe. and even in good spirits It was
/ thought best TO send her on ahead.
( You know" Here the conversation
/ became inaudibIe. and a moment later
/ Waldorf gave the order to move for
ward
/ 1t was now late in the afternoon. In
two hours the sun would 90 down.
/ The convicts-who now numbered
/ twenty Hve-fel in with aiacrity behind
Waldorf. who led the way TO the shore
Of the river at a point where a high
I wall OF rock fell sheer into the stream
/ without hesitation. Waldorf entered
the water and waded cautiously forward.
A distance Of nearly quarter OF a mile
was traversed in this way, but no word
OF complaint escaped any Of the men.
though the water. which at the deepest
point did not come to their knees, must
have soaked through their boots and
/ chilled their feet painfully
1t was necessary to cling to the rocky
wall. for just beyond it the water grew
deep and rapid and was full OF floating
cakes Of ice.
At length Waldorf stepped out on a
narrow ledge. which began almost at the
waters edge and grauaIly mounted
along the face Of the cIin. which rose TO
a height OF several hundred feet and
partially overhung the river. so that it
was impossible for anyone travelling on
the ledge TO be seen from above
The path was narrow and dizzy one.
but the convicts fearIessly followed their |
guide taking care not TO look down into |
the gulf below.
DOnald's curiosity increased as he
went forward He began to realize that /
these men had chosen a hiding place alb I
soIutely impregnable and safe from pur- 4
suit
That quarter Of a mile stretch through 4
the water would enectually throw all /
pursuers OF the track.
The narrow path crept upward by de- /
grees for half a mile until il was scarce /
" twenty feet from the oyerhanging I
brow Of the mountain, and then il turned 4
and led downward by a gradual slope OF /
a mile or more-barely wide enough for 4
one man TO walk safely. though he must 4
needs be clear headed TO do even that
and never varying In width
Finally. when IL was only a few feet 4
above the water. the path made sharp I
angle and came 10 an abrupt end.
One by one the men disappeared !
around this corner until il came Donald's 4
turn. and the next instant he was stand /
ing in the strsngest place he had ever \
seen in his life.
Before him was a great honow-a !
natural recess scoOped right out OF the \
solid rock. In shape il was like a cres-
cent. a beach. paved with pebbles and T.
big stones served Tor the Hoor. 1t fol-
lowed the waters edge for a distance OF
nifty or sixty feet. and extended almost
as far into the cave-n at its deepest
part
The place was absolutely impregnabIe
and secure from discovery. for the ex-
tent OF the beach was cut on at each end
by walls OF ro-k which fell sheer into
the water. Along the face Of the lower /
wall ran the narrow path by which the I
men had come. but the upper wall was ,
as smooth as glass-without creyice or |
projection
Far overhead was the brow or the 4
mountain. extending outward 10 such +
distance that meme could gaze down .
upon the beach from the summit
And upon the opposite shore Of the /
river-which AZ this point was a seeth- !
ing whirlpool plungins madIy amid jag
ged rocks-toward high pinnacIes. rising I.
sheer from the water and heavily tim
berod- The most skilled mountain climb
ct could scarcely have gained access TO
their tops.
In short. the spot chosen by these es-
capped convicts for their place Of refuge I
vas absolutely .afa from The nrNIns