The Ordway new era., 1905-11-10


the courtyard. A list of their names
were called, their irons examined
each prisoner shouldered his canvas
bag and then. led by detachment oi
soldiers and guarded on both sides
and the rear. the column of ''unfortu
nates"-the general term for eNiles in
| Russia-was ordered to march. The
| outer gates opened and the prisoners
were on their way TO the landinG
place. where n steamer was in waiting
TO carry them up the Nolga to kasan.
Among the three hundred and odd
/ prisoners there were some thirty-nVe
women-some of them being the wives
of exiles, who elected to share their
husbands 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 10 still be to-
gether-a favor granted to them by
reason OF n trifiing bribe TO one OF
the Cuards-recogniZed Ida in her
dress OF an exile. That Ilda also rec
ognIzed them they were sure, although
she made no sign, fearing TO bctray
a desire 20 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 a chance to agree
upon a cypher mode OF communica-
tIon which they felt would prove use
fuI in the probable event OF their early
separation.
Alexis was by far the most cheer.
ful OF the three. and did all In his
power 10 comfort his companions. u
feel sure" he said. that my father
when he discovers the true facts will
relent and that our pardons are only
a question OF time. But have n
stronger ground for hope. l do not
believe that Gen. Cobb will desert me.
and feel sure that even now he is
at work on our behalf Keep up a
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 n few
hours the cXIles were transferred TO
another steamer. their destination be-
Ing Perm. on the River Kama. They
were now rapidly approaching the 81.
bcrian frontier. On their arrival at
Perm. they were marched TO train
of cars In waiting. and without fur.
thcr delay were forwarded on their
Journey.
At the end of the railway line the
prisoners were disembarked and tax.
en- 10 the receiving prison. where they
were TO rest few days before be-
ginning their long march OF weeks.
perhaps months, TO the mines Of Slbe-
ria. II was while at this place that
Alexis. Ida and Ivan learned OF their
destination. Ivan and Alexis were to
/ go to ChItka. the capital of the prov
Ince OF the Trans-Balkal. n 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. II is n
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 Il TO say that the journey was ac-
eomplished 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 Nazimoff 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
| a. Stralensk as n nurse, and she had
also an opportunity TO earn something
beyond the seanty government allow
snce by teaching the governors chill
dren.
Ida had becn but short time ir
Stralensk when an opportunity wa.
Afforded her for materially improvin,
her condition. A violent epidemic O
typhus fever had broken out. not onl,
among the convicts, but among tn,
officials themselves. With nobi,
disregard OF her own safety. Ida ex
posed herself to every risk, and to he,
watchful care and skillful nursing wa
due the saving OF the lives OF tn,
governors wife and children. Tn,
gratitude OF the governors wife knew
no bounds, and It was at her sugges