The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-16
CHAPTER xxx-(continued.)

dfspleased surprise, while his face was
very stern. There's been some blum
der. The flames will be seen and the
alarm given. The soldiers will see
them. Anatovitch will be told of them
by some one in his household; it was
meant that he should be taken by sur
prise. The house was to be attacked
first and the works were to be fired
afterwards" went on Aksakotf, in
sul!en, rapid sentences, as the car shot
forward.
AS they came in sight of the burn
ing pile of buildings the flames rear
ed themselves higher and higher into
the sky. now growing lighter with the
break of day; a glimpse OF the river.
with gray barges swung against a
quay, showed vivid patches of crimson
and yellow Pickering among shadows,
rejecting the smoke and fire; there
was the confused sound of voices
shouting harsh cries, while the spec
trail figure seemed to be RANGING and
waving their hands wildly in glee
against background of blazing walls,
quickly crumbling into ruins
Suddenly Aksakoff turned the car
aside, made for clump of trees and
bushes standing half a mile away from
the works, and carefully but speedily
ran it under cover. Manifestly he
knew the locality we'll.
You will remember this SPOT he
said to Norman, as they walked from
It III haste towards the fire. You will
need the car in all probability-later
There is enough petrol to take 1t fifty
OF sixty mles-to Odessa, if you like"
You speak as if you might not re-
turn" said Norman.
And | may not said Aksakoff
tersely. Neither of us may. warned
you there was risk in this affair"
I know said Norman. Il take the
zisE gladly for what 1 hope it will eff
feet
The situation is not what | expect.
ed" said Aksakoff, With his brows set
"and there will have to be change in
our plans; but 1 will do my best to
give you the opportunity of which I
spoke to you. 1t will be we'll for YOU
net to get yourself separated from me.
snd to have your revolver ready"
There will he a fight?" asked
Norman, who had not been apprised OF
the designs Of the revolutionists.
"Dmtri Anatovitch will fight" re-.
piled Aksakcff. He knows what to ex-
Feet from an outbreak of this sort
HIS men know what to expect from
MIN He is one Of our chief enemies
In this district, and his death was
decreed some time ago by our council
les, he will defend himself and his
hcuse-there is nothing else for him
TO do"
But isn't this all rather like mur.
der"' asked Norman, in whose mind
the lawlessness of these proceedings
was causing qualms and doubts II
this were the way in which Christabe,
should be rescued.
Necessity knows no law" renlieo
Aksakoff, harshly, as if he had inter.
preted Norman's thoughts and was
answering them. and surely Won are
not the man to plead for Anatoyitcb, '"
But whatever scruples Norman felt
were completely swept away by the
swift rush OF events.
They were now within hail of mob
OF workmen and peasants who were
ioHking on while the flames devoured
The buildings. Their presence was oh.
served, and man, who appeared to
DC leader: detached himself from
tue crowd and came towards them
warmly saluting Aksakoff. Other men
soon joined them, and there was q
brisk, excited conversation between
Eksakoff and the rest. An under
stardlng was evidently soon arrived
at. for a few moments later an order
was given and the mob streamed awav
IN the direction of the house of Ana
toyitch. everyone shouting and bran
eisnlng some weapon or other.
come with me-" said Aksakoff. ~
have tcld the others why you are here
an" not a hair of the heads of the
women in the house will be touched. !"
Norman looked curiously at the
e'en, some two hundred in number
with Hhcn! he was now in a manner
confederate. He could not help motto.
ing how low and british was the TYNE
to which the large majority of them
belonged, in their coarse, hairy faces.
their fierce, small, cunning eyes.
siouching gait, and mean attire.
A few amongst the crowd were Of q
different class-men of the sam,
stamp as Aksakoff- visionaries, en-.
thusiasts, enamoured of ideas: these
we're the leaders who inspired their
comrades. With the mob were ner.
haps dozen women, some of them
being quite young girls. Taken in the
mass, here scarcely seemed 10 be the
stun out of which regenerate Rus
sia was 70 be made. But Norman was
far too anxious regarding Christabe]
20 give them more than a PASSING
thought He wondered what was about
20 happen.
AS they marched on, Aksalsoff ex
planned that there were four entrances
into the house, two in front and two
behind. This arose from the circum
stance that part of the building was
=