The Grit-advocate., 1905-11-10

were called, their irons examined,
each prisoner shouldered his canvas
bag and then. led by detachment of
soldiers and guarded on both sides
and the rear, the column of .'unfortu-
nates"-the general term for exiles in
Russia-was ordered to march. The
outer gates opened and the prisoners
were on their way to the landing
place, where a steamer was in waiting
10 carry them up the Volga to Kassn.
Among the three hundred and odd
prisoners there were some thirty-fve
women-some OF them being the wives
of exiles, who elected to share their
husband s fate; some who were being
deported for political activity, and
others who had been guilty of crime.
AS the column started, Alexis and
Ivan. who had managed to still be to-
gether-a favor granted TO them by
reason of trifling bribe to one of
the euards-recognized Ida in her
dress of al exile. That Ilda also rec
ognized them they were sure although
she made no sign, fearing to betray
desire TO get nearer to them-a
movement that would have been pre-
vented because desired.
But when they reached the steamer
they were rewarded for their self-de-
nial. and for the first time since they
had been separated at the doors OF
the prison in St. Petersburg they
found an opportunity to converse free
ly. This gave them chance to agree
upon a cypher mode of communica-
tion which they felt wound prove use
full in the probable event of their early
separation.
Alexis was by far the most cheer
full Of the three, and did all in his
power to comfort his companions. II
feel sure" he said, that my father
when he discovers the true facts will
relent and that our pardons are only
question Of time. But have
stronger ground for hope. do not
believe that Gen. Cobb will desert me,
and I feel sure that even now he is
at work on our behalf. Keep up
brave heart, dear Ida. and be assured
that happiness is yet in store for US
ALL
The steamer with its load of human
freight went on up the broad Volga
until kasan was reached. Here
short delay occurred. but in few
hours the eXiles were transferred to
another steamer, their destination be-
ing Perm, on the River Kama. They
we're now rapidly approaching the ST.
berian frontier. On their arrival at
Perm, they were marched to train
of cars in waiting, and without fur
ther delay were forwarded on their
journey.
At the end of the railway line the
prisoners were disembarked and TAX
en- to the receiving prison, where they
were to rest a few days before be-
ginning their long march of weeks,
perhaps months, to the mines Of Sibe-
ria It was while at this place that
Alexis, Ilda and Ivan learned of their
destination. Ivan and Alexis were to
go to Chitka. the capital of the prov
ince OF the Trans Balkal, place on
the bank OF the Ingoda river, one of
the tributaries of the Amoor. Ida
learned that at this point she would
be separated from her companions.
She was to go some two hundred
miles further-to Stralensk.
We may pass over the long and
dreary march of the exiles for weeks
and months in their journey over the
great highway of Siberia. 1t Is
painful story-a story full of tears.
The scanty food, the foul air of the
kamaras or prison pens, the long
marches on foot day by day-these
need not further be referred to. Suf-
fee it to say that the journey was ac-
complished at last, and the exiles
were at their destination.
By great good fortune the COM
mandant OF the district where Ivan
and Alexis found themselves was an
old soldier who had served under
Count Nazmoff in the Turkish war,
and he felt pity for the son of his old
commander. Alexis was allowed many
privileges not accorded to ordinary
convicts, and the horrors of exile
were. by his intercession, also soft
ened for Ivan. Ida, they heard, had
been assigned to duty by the governor
AT Stralensk as q nurse, and she had
also an opportunity to earn something
beyond the scanty government allow
ance by teaching the governors chill
dren.
Ida had been but short time in
Stralensk when an opportunity was
afforded her for materially improving
her condition. A violent epidemic of
typhus fever had broken out, not only
among the convfcts, but among the
officials themselves. With noble
disregard of her own safety, Ida ex-
posed herself to every risk, and to her
watchful care and skillful nursing was
due the saving of the lives OF the
governors wife and children. The
gratitude of the governors wife knew
no bounds, and 1t was at her sugges-
ton that Ida was given quarters. in