El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-11-08
THE HERRING
BY /. Nideroest.

I'D EALLY Vladimir Auchelevitch;
X you must put some res,rafc!
upon your men. This l'rls"r
he's become the talk of the town: The
paper openly hint at deeds of great
brutality, and even the 'NOvoie Nremi1
has taken up the matter [ cannot 60
out without hearing it whispered
abroad Besides, you forget, we live in
Christian Russia and not in heather
Persia"
TT is easy enough for you to talk,
the governor retorted to his wife. I'VE
must have confessions. and these rev.
dictionary vermin are such stubborn
brutes Unless some force is used
they will not talk. However" he con-
tinued after, a moments reflection,
you are right in way. Things have
been a bit lively here, and I'll see
what can be done"
Kardoff, the governors chief assist
ant. could not see the force of the ar
gument He firmly believed in the per-
suasive power of nagaika and screw to
loosen the tongues Of his obstinate
wards.
"Herrings, thirst. pepper, eyes," he
muttered to himself as he left the
chief. Bah. I set my faith upon our
old ways. There is no secret on cath
which they won't reveal However, he
had his orders and needs must obey.
In a small cell of the citadel pris-
oner raised himself painfully from his
plank bed: His limbs were aching. his
head swan. Yet after a while he could
dfmly recall the events of the last
"a hours; how he was dragged from his
bed. how the police searched his room
and found the papers He recollecteo
the blows he had been dealt by the bru-
tai bendarmes, and the jolting of the
cart over the pavements, then his ar
rival in this cell. He was so hungry.
He buried his face in his hands;
when the door flew open, and Kardoff,
accompanied by a warder, appeared on
the threshold.
We'll prisoner, are you ready for
YOUR supper" the former inquired.
Just tell me the name of your friends
and I'll promise you a meal which
would be fit to be placed before any
nobleman."
The prisoner made no reply, but
turned his head against the wall. Kar-
doff's mouth was distorted in a mische-
vious grin. All riaht your excellen-
CIV. Just as you like. You may fast a
little longer" and with hooking
laugh he went away, banging the door
behind him.
The prisoner sat down exhausted.
For three days he had tasted nothing
but water He knew he would die
and he was only II.
In the evening Kardoff appeared
once more.
MY pretty bird" he commenced,
you're a stubborn customer; but we
cannot allow you 20 starve to death.
You must, however be content with
plain fare. Here, give him his sup
per"
The warden put down a dish contain
ing a herring and a chunk of dry
bread The prisoner fell on it like a
hungry wolf The herring, it was true,
was terribly salty, and the bread dry,
but IL was food.
Kardoff watched him with cleaning
ewes as he licked the bones, and then
withdrew once more.
The prisoner sat down contented-
The food had revived him, he already
felt stronger. Now he was prepared
for his tormenters. He would not be-
tray his associate.
After while he felt thirsty. and
went towards the window recess to
have a drink of water.
The par had disappeared.
"A drink, drink For Gods sake,
one drop of water.:'
AS the night advanced his thirst be-