Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-04-19
CHAPTER XVIII.

When Bernikof appeared with his
group of officers, Charlie Balgonie per-
ceived that there were spots of blood
upon his long, white leather gauntlets,
that his saber blade was broken off with
in six inches of the hilt and that a ter
rible expression of ferocity clouded his
features and those of all around him.
At that moment the drummer of the
summoners beat a call for the third time,
and Bernikoff. advancing to the wicket,
in the palisades of the second inner gate,
opened it. and, with great sternness
of manner, demanded what they requir-
ed
The release of uis Imperial Majesty
Ivan w. replied Dasil Mierowitz. in
firm voice. while courteously saluting
Bernikoff in recognition of his superior
rank.
If l refuse
''You do so at your OWE peril" replied
Basil, as sternly and as proudly as if,
instead of a few discontinued deserters
and enthusiasts. the whole armies of
Russia were at his back.
You cannot be mad enough, Basil
Mierowitz. TO think of assaulting u.s."
THAT may or not be, excellency. ac-
cording to circumstances" was the reply.
What trdoops are those under your
ordersf"
"A guard of honor f1r the Emperor.
. you peacefully comply-the first por-
ton of an investing force if you refuse"
replied Mierowitz: but sinister CLEAN
of triumph flashed in the malicious eyes
of Bernikoff, who gathered more of his
real weakness from this evasive reply
u, A. 49,
Listen. Colonel Bernikoff." he con
dnued. while drawing from his breast
a long paper of Official aspect. to which
several green and scarlet seals were at
tached. Her Majesty Catharine H..
havip. come to the conclusion of resign
ing the imperial crown and of replacing
il on the head of the Emperor Ivan.
whom she now feels herself compelled to
acknowledge as her lawful sovereign,
though basely deposed in infancy by her
predecessors. the Empress Elizabeth. and
the Emperor Peter I'LL; therefore she
hereby commands you. Colonel Bernikoff.
Governor of her Castle of Schlusselburg.
to set the prince at liberty. with all
speed and honor"
For document and summons of this
artfus and remarkable nature. Bernikoff
was altogether unprepared. For a mo-
ment he grew deadly pale. but for a mo-
ment only. and glanced at the startled
faces of those around him. Had he been
TOO precipitate in bloodshed?
Where is Her Majesty just now?'' he
asked
I'm the palace of the Cars. at Novgo.
rod
WAS Novgorod SO empty of all the
great mobiles and officers OF Russia that
document Of such 4 nature was intruSt-
ed TO mere lieutenant % infantry
deserter from Livoniar' said Bernikoff.
with sudden rage. It's an imposture
Ia fcrgery; there Is but one monarch on
earth. the Empress Catherine; and you,
MierOwitz. and all who league with you.
are but base dogs and traitors
Forward" cried Basil. brandiShing
his saber; storm the gate--hayonet all
who oppose u.s.
Long live Ivan Antonovitch-long
live the Emperor" exclaimed his soldiers
rushing forward. But the wicket in the
palisades was at once closed. and secured
against them by an enormous transverse
beam OF wood; and though a confused
vollev Of muSketry was exchanged be-
tween them and the main guard. no one
was struck. save Bernikoff. who staSser-
ed back into the arms OF Nlasief. having
been hayoneted in the breast by the de-
serter Jagouski. who drove his weapon
between the palisades. nearly finishing
what Basil had begun By the blow OF a
musket. but which crushed the eolonels
hat and nesrly fractured his skull.
All, dogs and ASiaticS. you hsve
struck me-. shouted BeTuikolI. whose
voice was hoarSe with rage and pain.
"nOst know the penalty OF w9unding an
ofiicer-of striking soldis no wears
a decorationT'
AccurSed Tartar. I ne. sr know nor
care l revenge nay brothers de~th at
zorndorf, my own wrongs and the muir
der of Peter mr. replied the exulting
Cossack. with bitter laugh.
May my right hand wither, and my