The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1910-02-24
CHAPTER XIX.
A PeriIous Mission.


During all this time the forest fires
were increasing in intensity and
spreading with great rapidity.
Vividly red and narrow lanes OF
flame ran zigzag to the waters edge,
like streams of fire. Monster designs
were worked out on the hillsides in
fire, notably an immense heart, and,
in places where the vegetation was
sparse, the slopes were spotted with
tiny Jets Of flame.
BY mid-afternoon the heat on the
Pushkin was almost intolerable and
the discomfort caused to the eyes
from the smarting smoke was great,
yet there was no longer any fear that
those on board would suffocate or
perish from the intensity of the heat.
Matters were undoubtedly at their
worst. and 1t was possible to live, to
breathe Out there In the middle OF
the river there was no danger of the
boat itself catching fire, and the wind,
which was coming straight down the
stream brought GOODNESS and life
with It from the wide Siberian plains.
AS Hardy stood watching the scene
that night. the princess came up to
him and said:
We have nothing to fear from the
Chinese, I fancy. They must have
gone away. They must think we are
dead"
1T is most probable" replied Hardy,
but I fear that it will be some time
before we shall be able to take to the
road"
AT the military station below.
said the princess, there is a tele-
graph, connecting with the one above
II is possible for a boat OF shallow
draft to get down the river to little
distance back. The general asked the
men IL one Of their number would not
volunteer TO carry a dispatch to the
station, but I am ashamed to say that
no one has responded They are de-
tered by the dreadful fate of poor
Stenka."
Il will go!" cried Hardy. ASK the
general 20 let me go. can keep to
the middle OF the stream till / have
passed the fires, either wading or
swimming down the swift current
The fires cannot extend more than a
mile or so down the river, distance
soon passed over. and then l will take
to the highway. l am a foreigner and,
II captured, shall not be in so great
danger as a Russian. It is not a off.
ficult undertaking. am sure / shall
get through"
The princess left him without a
word. but returned ten minutes later,
smiling sadly and shaking her head.
1T is as | thought" she said. THE
general refuses. He says it would be
an eternal disgrace to the Russian
arms II foreigner should undertake
this thing. He is making one more
appeal 20 the men. He is calling them
sheep. Japanese. poltroons."
Il had hoped" said Hardy, sadly
that you people would no longer re-
gard me quite in the light of a for.
eigner. AS far. at least. as the peo
pie on the boat are concerned, | have
tried to earn the right to be counted
one OF you. II have done anything
TO merit your own regard. PERSONAL
ask you, as an especial favor, 10
prepare this dispatch for me and LEI
me be of. | tell you again, that
shall certainly 20. with or without IL
II you refuse. shall on the instant
Jump into the river and start on my
Journey"
Il beg OF you not to put 1t in that
way" replied the princess. IF you
put II in that way, you know ! cannot
refuse | hope the occasion may arise
some day that will allow me in some
way to show in Defitting manner my
great and lasting gratitude to you. But
now you are taking an unfair advan
tage You are seeking to place me
under still greater obligations to you
II ask for no gratitude" replied
Hsrdy. Il am simply seeking favor
an accommodation from you. | an
begging you 10 write a few lines fol
me. Does your highness still refuse
Web. then, good-by, ana God be with
you, II we do not meet again. bsG
you sometimes 10 think of me as che
who, who-good-by
BE laid one hand on the rail. bu