Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-02-19

the great waves that rolled in an un-
ceasing surge off the great North cape
of Norway. 1t was the end of Septem-
ber; the nights and days were equal,
but blue line on the horizon beto-
kened the approach of the Arctic ice
pack that would soon descend to seal
that silent coast until the following
spring. Nothing could exceed the lone
liness and desolation of the sea-scape;
not sail or line Of smoke was visi-
BILE. Far on our starboard lay the
Norwegian coast.
There were six of us aboard with
Nikoai We were all consumed to
know the reason for our presence
in those cold waters, far from civiliz-
alton. This was the day on which
we were to be told. Nikolai assembled
US on deck-we were all members OF
the international league-and broke
the seal of document.
Then he read out the orders.
"Satcha Alexandrovitch, with five
other revolutionary patriots, is on his
way to Archangel aboard the Potem.
kim" he told us.
Our mission was to rescue them.
For these men had been the hope OF
Russia and Of freedom through many
stormy months; at last, treacherously
betrayed to the minions of the tsar,
they had been sentenced, after mock
trial to perpetual Punishment in the
frozen wastes of northern Russia,
where no man ever lived long enough
to communicate with his friends
again. 1t was a sentence of death in
the penal settlement there.
And on the following day the cruis.
er potemkin would round the great
cape on her journey into the White
sea. the last before the closing in OF
the ice, bearing her victims.
Afterward, Nikolai communicated
to me his plans, as we sat side by
side within the cabin. studying the
charts.
Here we shall intercept her" he
said. pointing to a dot off the coast.
And all her guns and compile
ment of soldiers and sailors will never
save her.
He unfolded his scheme. Here Is
the lighthouse, he said. Its light,
burning steadily. alone makes posi-
BILE a voyage between those rocks and
shoals. We shall destroy the light;
the ship, misled, will be buffeted to
pieces upon the rocks. The prisoners
have been warned. They will es'
cape in the confusion. Perhaps they
will perish: but the chance is better
than the certain death which awaits
them"
1t was desperate undertaking, the
little yacht against the armored bat
tleship, but none of us thought OF
that Our hearts were elated with the
magnitude of our task. That night,
running in close along the rocky shore,
we sighted the lighthouse.
It was of the old-fashioned type.
The lenses did not revolve, but
steady stream of light issued through
them on three sides, shooting out like
"a warning finger far into the dark
ness
1--WE shall shoot out the glasses ]
said to Nikolai. "Perchance, If we
shoot out the central lense, no light
visible from a distance will issue.
The Potemkin will sail to her de-
struction."
Nikolai smiled rather sadly.
I'VE cannot approach that coast
within two thousand yards" he an
hnf lot
rifle bullet would penetrate those thick
lenses. Moreover, at such distance,
who could hit beam of light by night
or even the lighthouse, by day,
clothed, as it always is, with perpetual
sea-fogs?"
What them" asked.
1--WE must take 1t by Storm" he an.
swered. ut is guarded by three sol
diers-veterans Of the Imperial Guard
Russia leaves little to chance 1t must
be captured"
That night the lighthouse was to
be rushed. There was no other way.
At dark we took our way in toward
the shore cautiously by means of the
lead; we anchored at a distance Of
mile and little more, and leaving
two men aboard, the five Of us re-
naming rowed cautiously through the
rocks.
More than once our little boat upset
leaving us clinging to the sharp,
needle-pointed crags. But each time
we recovered ourselves, by some for
tuitous miracle. At length, dripping
frozen and utterly exhausted, we
reached the rocks on which the great
lighthouse stood. 1t lowered above
us, veritable colossus of masonry;
of light poured forth on three sides
through the fogs. And now | per-
ceived why my suggestion could not
have been carried out. The lenses were
set back into the masonry, so that no
rife bullet could have been aimed at
them from the base Of the cliffs. Only
far out at sea would they become ac-
cessible, and there, as Nikolai had
said, they could not have been
pierced.
We had brought cutlasses and re.
volvers. At word from Nikolai we
crept cautiously across our slippery
foothold until we reached the iron
bound door at the base Of the tower.
Family within we heard two watch.
men singing peasant song.
Now, men," said Nikolai, ''it will
he useless to knock Nobody will open