The Glenwood post., 1905-12-09


the Cossacks.
The injuries OF Alexis were for
tunately slight The fangs of the
wolves had reached him in one or two
places on the arms and on one cheek,
but the latter proved to be a mere
scratch, though sufficient to draw
blood, and the clothing had protected
the arms. In answer to eager in
quiries he explained that he did not
see the face of the woman he had
rescued, because just as he reached
her she almost fell into his arms and
in his struggle during the retreat he
had not heard her speak.
But it was the presence of Cobb
so entirely unlocked for, and so mex
plicable-that furnished them a topic
which kept them wondering for
hours. That Cobb's presence had
something to do with them, they felt
certain, but now that he was here,
how were they to let him know that
they were near. 1t is tho rule on the
highroad to the mines for conveys to
march two days and rest one; and as
this was their resting place, they felt
Suit that lht . llSHI WOulu
bring some means of letting Cobb
know that they were in the stockade
But what had brought Cobb and the
baroness-for they felt sure it was the
baroness, Cobb having spoken of his
wife-to that out of the way place?
That was the puzZler, and it was to
account for that fact that both Alexis
and Ivan taxed their Imagination.
While they are in suspense we will
enlighten our readers.
General Cobb, after his marriage to
the baroness, found himself in posi-
tion where he could afford to give up
all the business interests that former
ly occupied his time. From the mo-
fnent Alexis had left st. Petersburg
he had but one object in view-that
was to rescue his friend from the hor-
rors of Siberian exile, and if possible
restore him to the position from
stances had SO cruelty deposed him.
Or, if that were not possible, it was
the intention of Cobb, the rescue of
Alexis once effected, to take him to
America, the baroness having ex-
pressed strong desire to give up her
residence in Europe and make her
home in the country of her husband.
Cobb's plans for the rescue of Alexis
were warmly seconded by his wife,
and it was determined to make an eff
fort to effect the rescue of Ida and
Ivan at the same time as Alexis.
The blow to the pride of Count Naz-
imoff, who had seen his son sentenced
like a common convict, had been Sc
we're one and shortly after his son
had arrived in Siberia the count was
seized by severe illness, the result
OF the shock he had suffered. On his
recovery his feelings had undergone
marked change. The tenderness
and sympathy shown him on every
hand had softened his nature and the
hard pride had now given place to a
ptiful yearning for the son he had
loved so well. Hence it was that
when Gen. Cobb, having heard of
Kirshliins confession. and having
brought influence to bear to verify the
truth of the consprators story, ap-
peared before Count Nazimoff to plead
the cause of his son, he met with a re-
ception the warmth of which pleased
him.
An imperial commissioner was sent
to each of the convicts captured in
the Nihilist rendezvous. They were
closely questioned as to the events
that had taken place on that eventful
night, and their stories, one and all,
served to eXonerate Alexis and Olga
and Ilda, and to lift from the shoul-
ders of Ivan the responsibility for any
completely in or sympathy with the eN-
treme Nihilists who sought the assas-
sination of the cZar.
So it was that after months of per
sistent and dilisent exertion General
Cobb had the assurance that the sub
ject had at length reached the cZar,
with strong probability that the i'm
perial clemency so earnestly sought
would not be denied.
But even if his efforts in this direc-
tion failed, Cobb had made up his
mind that he would still succeed. He
secured through the American minis
ter an imperial passport TO Siberia,
and a letter from the authorities Civ
ing him, as an American traveller ia
vorably disposed and friendly to the
Russian government, the right to visit
| prisons and other privileges not usual
| ly accorded. This letter, addressed
| to officials throughout Siberia. direct
ed them to extend all aid and assist
ance to General Cobb and his wife
and her companion, Caroline Cobb,
WHO were to travel across Siberia if
need be. And before he left St Peters
burg passport for Caroline Cobb
was in his possession.
We pass over the long journey of
| Cobb and his wife. After many ad-
ventures and more hardships they
reached Stralensk and there discov-
cred Ida. The letters which Cobb
had in his possession made him a
welcome guest at the house of the
commandant at Stralensk and they
had but little difficulty in obtaining