Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-03-29
CHAPTER XII

the small town and fortress OF Schlus-
selbnrg stands alta point where the Neva
issues from the Lake OF Ladoga and
on the left bank of the river
On an island, where the river joins
the lake and meats it round. Is built the
fort, which is about four hundred yards
square; its walls are of stone, massive,
ana fifty feet In height, terminating in
hartlements and turrets Of antique form.
The passage to this island is by long
drawbridge.
The guard which kept this formidable
state prison, where many hopeless sigh
was waited through the rusty bars of its
prison grilles across the waters of La
doga, was composed entirely of body of
diSmounted Cossacks, selected for the
purpose, as the task of keeping or seclud
ing the dethroned Emperor Ivan was
one Of no small responsibility and i'm
portance.
A guard of these men received Bal
gonie at the gate and drawbridge with
a profound military salute; and a pictur-
esque aspect they presented, as their
arms flashed in the murky light of the
great oil lantern that swung in the dark,
weird and deep-mouthed archway.
The great masses OF the fortress,
ghostly and shrouded, with faint red
lights cleaning out here and there; the
enormous strength Of the gates, together
with the difficulties he experienced in
procuring admission, ali served to inn
press unpleasantly on the mind of Charlie
Balgonie state of extreme watchful-
ness. of suspicion, and mistrust; and
also sense of vast responsibility Of the
charge eonfded by Catherine to Colonel
Bernikoff.
That gallant officer and estimabie per-
Sonage had retired long since, and Lieu
tenant Tschekin informed Bagonie,
would be quite invisible till breakfast
time tomorrow, when the dispatch
would be delivered to him; and a sigh
of real annoyance escaped Charlie when
he found that this odious paper was to be
yet some eight hours or more in his
secret pocket.
He repaired to the officers guardroom
at the barrier gate, and there, wrapped
In his cloak, lay down to sleep, and if
possible to dream of Natalie; but he had
undergone too much toll for such gentle
phantasms, SO he slept like a dormouse
till the sun was high in heaven unawak
ened even by the deep boom of the morn
ing gun, as it pealed across the Lake of
Ladoga; but ultimately he was reused by
Tschekin and Captain Vlasfef, a very
handsome young man, but cruel and
heartless, whom ultimately he detested
These, after shaking hands heartily, an
nounced that Colonel Bernikoff awaited
him at breakfast and was not in mood
to brook much delay.
His hasty toilet was soon complete
and he was speedily ushered into a plain,
almost naked whitewashed apartment
arched with stone. Here, at a table of
plain Mcneil timber, destitute of cloth,
but on which massive silver vessels with
rudely formed wooden bowls and plat
tiers were oddly intermingled, was seated
the Governor.
Hail TO you-I wish you health" said
Bernikoff, courteously enough, in the old
Russian fashion, and presenting his hand
to Charlie, who took it, shuddering, as
he remembered the fate OF Peter Ill;
welcome to Schlusselburg, Captain
Ivanovitch Balgonie."
Bernikoff, who wore q dark green I'M
dress uniform faced with scarlet, was a
man well up in years; he had fierce and
shining black eyes that made soldier
and serf alike quail beneath their gaze;
yet they were small cunning and twink
ling eyes, the lashes of which were half
closed-the eyes of one who could act
the cruel tyrant on one hand and the
eringing slave on the other.
Seat yourself, captain, and proceed
to breakfast, while | read your dis
patch" said the governor ''It is from
Catharine Christianowna herself! The
Czarina is great, but heaven is higher!
he added, placing the paper on his fore
head, as he bowed over it; and then tax
Ing an enormous pinch of snuff he pro-
ceeded to peruse that document which
had proved of such trouble to the bearer.
The eyes of Balgonie, Tschekin and
Vlasfef, who alone were present, were
fixed inquiringly upon him, and they
could see that the contents disturbed him
greatly; he grew pale and flushed by
turns; his brows contracted to a terrible
frown; red spark OF light glittered in
his eyes, and his lips were compressed
'Ah, the Asiatics! the accused Asiat-
les!' he muttered. This is a most oppro-
brious epithet in Russia, and excited
some surprise in his hearers.
He carefully folded the dispatch, and
turning sternly to Charlie. who was
keeping sis eyes on him. and drinking
his coffee the while, he said:
"Ivanovitch Balgonie, there is a feath-
er In the seattle usual sign OF haste
among us here in Russia yet you have
not troubled yourself with much speed,
for this dispatch is dated Novgorod more
than a month back
Permit me to explain, excellence
said Balgonie, eagerly, and anxiously,
too.
81 shall be glad IL you can explain It."
said Bernikof with increasing sternness
Il have known a general. a leader in
ten battles, degraded. knouted, and sent
10 hunt the ermine with a cannon ball at
bis heels for smaller dereliction of duty
than this"
Balgonie's heart beat very fast while
be related his story-of his being misled
by traitor twice; OF the passage of the
Louga at such terrible hazard: OF his
subsequent Illness. and the episode at
that log hut.
THAT you were in the guidance of a
traitor knew before your arrival; and
l am extremely glad that he fell into
his own snare" replied Bernikof, a lit
tie more calmly; but this matter is ex-
tremely awkward for you. and becomes
more complicated every hour"
After glancing again at the dispatch
and bending his keen. ratlike eyes on
Balgonie. he asked
Were Basil Mierowitz or UsakoR, the
grandson Of MREeppa, at the Castle OF
Louga any time during your sojourn
thereY'
No. excellency. neither OF them were"
Spies say differentl.-but can you
TweAr itT'
''on my honor do swear it! But
whyY'
L have had bad news from the head
quarters of your regiment, aud from
Lieutenant General Weymarn, since you !
left Novgorod"
AID these tidingS, excellency?s
Are TO the effect that your friends, |
the two snbalterns. have both deserted. |
with several soldiers, all OF whom are
81 h.