Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-04-12
Prisoners and Capfives
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CHAPTER XI.-fContinued.l
By III. S. MERRIMAN

drawn around the fire. While he spoke
the American kept his eyes fixed upon the
fire, and at times moved his limbs nerv-
ously, after the manner of one who IS
more highly strung than muscular.
Gentlemen" he said in his peculiar,
slow drawl and an immediate silence
followed gentlemen, l asked you 10
come here tonight for special purpose,
and not from the warmth Of my own
heart. What I am going TO tell you can
not be quite new to some, while to others
| surmise that it will be very new. There
is country on the map called the Dark
Continent, but during the last few years
it has come under my notice that Africa
is as light as the heavenly paths com
pared to another land nearer to this old
country. | mean Siberia. Now, | am
not going to talk about Siberia, beca use
there are four men in this room who
know more than / do. In fact, they know
too much. Before I 90 l will explain
for a spell who we all are. Four of US
are Russians. OF these four, one has a
wife living in the Siberian mines, con-
demned by mistake a second has father
living in a convict prison, almost on the
edge of an Arctic sea; third has been
there himself. These three undertake
what may be called the desperate part Of
our scheme. The fourth Russian is
gentleman who has the doubtful privilege
of being allowed to live in Petersburg.
His task is difficult and dangerous, but
not desperate. Two of us are English
men; one has given up the ease and lux
ury of the life of a moneyed British
sportsman-has, in fact, become a sailor
for the deliberate purpose of placing his
skill at our disposal. In addition to that
he has opened his purse in a thoughtless
and generous way. Why he has done
these things | cannot say. In Mr.. Tyars'
position | certainly should not have done
so myself. His is the only name [ men
ton, because l have seen the portraits
of him in the illustrated papers, and
there is no Disgusting who he is. The
rest of US have names entirely unknown,
or known only to the wrong people. Some
of the Russian names, besides possessing
this unfortunate notoriety, are quite be-
yond my powers to pronounce. The sec
ond Englishman is naval officer, who,
having shared considerable danger with
Mr.. Tyars on one occasion, may or may
not think fit to throw in his lot with
him again. His decision, while being a
matter of great interest to US, lies en-
tirely in his own hands. He is as free
when he leaves this room as when we en-
tered it. Lastly comes myself"
The little face was very wistful, while
the thin lips moved and changed inces-
sanity from gayety to a great gravity.
The mans hollow cheeks were singularly
flushed in a patchy,. unnatural way.
81" he continued, with a little laugh,
well, I'm afraid l stay at home.
have here a doctors certificate showing
that l would be utterly useless in any
but a temperate climate. l am-con-
sumptive."
He produced a paper from his pocket
and held it in his hand upon his knee
not daring to offer it to any one in par
ticular. There was painful silence
No one reached out his hand for the GER
tiicate, and no one seemed to be able to
think of something to say. At last the
stout gentleman rose from his chair with
a grunt.
q, too, stay at home, gentlemen" he
said, breathlessly, land l have no certif-
cate"
He crossed the hearth rug, and, taking
the paper from Easton's hand, he DELHI
erately threw it into the fire.
There he grunted, 1.-THE mischief take
your certificate"
Then he sat down again, adjusting his
large waistcoat, which had become some
what rucked up, and attempted to smooth
his crumpled shirt, while the paper burn
ed slowly on the glowing Goals.
Il only wished" said Easton, after 6
pause, ito explain why l stay at home
1t is no good sending second-rate mer
out to work like this
He paused and looked around. There
was something critical in the atmosphere
of the room, and all the seven men as
sembled looked at one another in turn
Long and searchingly each looked int
the others face. If Easton had set dowr
the rule that second-rate men were of NJ
avail, he had certainly held close to it
These were, at all events, frst-rate men
Not takers, but actors! no blusterers
but full of courage; determined. ready
and fearless. The slight barrier raised
by the speaking of different tongue. tn
thinking of different thoughts seemed t,
have crumbled away, and they were al
brothers.
"Our Plans" said Easton, "are simple
We fit out a ship to sail in the spring
ostensibly to attempt the northeast pas
sage to China. Her real object will ~
the rescue of a large number of Russian
political exiles and prisoners. The three
Russians go to Siberia overland. Their
is the most dangerous task of of all, tn
largest, the most important. The fourtl
remains in Petersburg, to keep up com
munication, to forward money, food, dis
guises and-arms. Mr.. Tyars takes com
mand of the steamer. which is now almos
ready for sea, and forces his way through
the ice, God willing, to the Yana river.
Easton stopped speaking. As he ne
turned to his seat, he glanced inquiringl
toward Oswin Grace, whose eyes had fol
lowed him.
"Of course, gentlemen" said Grace
glancing comprehensively around tn
grora, Il go with Mr.. Tyars.'
Thanks" muttered Claud Tyars
shortly.