The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1906-06-13
Prisoners and Capfiyes
BY II. s. MERRIkAN
::=::==@)=====:=:==:---
CHApTER xI.-,Continued.)


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
Observation-Disclosures, i asked you to
come here tonight for special purpose,
and not from the warmth of my own
heart. What / am going to tell you can
not be quite new to some, while to others
I surmise that il will be very new. There
r. country on the map called the Dark
Continent, but during the last few years
1t 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, because
there are four men in this room VITO
know more than do. In fact, they know
TOO much. Before / go 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 a father
living in a convict prison, almost on the
edge of an Arctic sea; third has been
bucTo HlubeI1, luebe LHIte
what may be called the desperate part of
our scheme The fourth Russian Is a
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 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 thoughtless
and generous way. Why he has done
these things cannot say. In Mr. Tyars
position / certainly should not have done
30 myself His is the only name l men.
tion, because / 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
MIR. Tyars on one occasion, may or may
not think at to throw in his lot with
him again. His decision, while being
matter of great interest to us, lies en-
Itirely In his own hands. He is as free
when be 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 great gravity.
The mans hollow cheeks were singularly
flushed in patchy, unnatural way.
IT," he continued, with a little laugh.
swell I'm afraid stay at home. I
have here doctors certificate showing
that / would be utterly useless In any
but temperate climate. am-con-
,Esumptive."
He produced paper from his pocket
and held IL In his hand upon his knee,
not daring TO offer 1t to any one in par
fticular. There was painful silence.
No one reached out his hand for the GER
tificate, 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
II, too, stay at home, gentlemen" he
said. breathlessly, "and / have no certiH-
cate"
He crossed the hearth rug, and, taking
the paper from Easton's hand, he DELHI
,erateiy threw 1t into the FIRE.
There" he grunted, "the mischief take
your certificate"
Then he sat down again, adjusting his
large waistcoat, which had become some
what srucked up, and attempted to smooth
his crumpled shirt, while the paper burn
ed slowly on the glowing Goals.
IL only wished" said Easton, after q
pause, ITO explain why I stay at home.
1T Is no good sending second-rata men
out to work Nike 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 into
the Others face. If Easton had set down
the rule that second-rate men were Of no
avail, he had certainly held close to it.
These were, at all events, first-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, the
thinking OF different thoughts, seemed to
have crumbled away, and they were a.
brothers.
''Our plana," said Easton, "are simple.
We ft out q ship to sail In the spring,
cstensibly to attempt the northeast pas
sags to China. Her real object will b
The rescue Of large number Of Russian
political sxiles and prisonsrs. The three
Russians 50 to Siberia overland. Theirs
= the mosl dangerous task Of Of ALL thu
hrgest, the most important. The fourth
REMAINS IN petersburg, to keep up com
munication, to forward money, food, dis
guisss and arms. Mr.. Tyam takes COM
mand Of the steamer. which Is now almost
ready for sea. and forces his way through
che Ice, God willing, to the Yana river.
Haston stopped speaking. Az he re-