The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-24
copyright. 1913, by W. G. Chapman

them to go. Now, men. back to the
boat
We hurried down. AS we ran we
heard shouts beneath us-defiant.
hooking, they seemed. When we
reached the ruins of the door below
the cries came from the darkness.
mingled with the pounding Of the surf.
Nikolai exclaimed aloud and ran on
alone across the slippery rocks.
heard him stumble and fall. Then
curses came to us from without, and
hail of bullets whizzed past our
ears. At the same instant we heard
oars grating against the rocks.
Then we understood. We had not
thought to guard our boat. The watch
men had taken it, and, knowing every
inch Of the coast, would doubtless run
1t away.
Another hail of bullets made US
dodge. Nikolai came limping back
to me, his face convulsed with fury.
Were trapped like rats" he said
between his teeth. Then a thought
struck him.,
They must have a boat of their
own" he called. Follow mel" He
dashed across the rocks again, the rest
of us after him. When we reached
the other side we found the remains
Of a painter. The lighthouse keepers
had taken their own boat as we'll.
And, while we waited there, a suces-
sion of FIVE shots came from the dark
ness on this side also. We covered
back into the darkness.
One man in that boat" said Nj
kolai Those shots are from his
magazine. And two In the other.
Now-are they acting in concert, or
does each think we are the other?"
We were soon undeceived. AS by
i signal, a volley came from either side.
| Two Of our men cried, stumbled, and
I sliding across the slippery weed,
splashed into the sea.
Into the lighthouse, men," cried
Nikolai; and we reached cover just
as another volley fiattened itself
against the massive walls.
We looked around us. In a tiny
chamber was heavy table, bolted
into the stone. Nikolai set his Shout
der against it and wrenched it bodily
| from it's fastenings. Then we half
dragged. half carried 1t along the mar
row passage to the doorway, where
we tilted it on end. 1t fitted the orr
flee we'll and formed a barricade
against surprise.
| a
one. We had only our cutlasses and
revolvers against rifles, and no more
than twelve cartridges apiece. Yet
we were three against three; and If
our adversaries had command Of the
! offensive there was always the yacht.
AS the attack was not renewed, we
left the third on guard and descended
into the bottom story of the light
house. Here we found a curious,
winding passageway, cut out OF the
living rock, apparently, and opening
into an extensive chamber, evidently
the work of engineers. At he en-.
trance we discovered ample provisions
in the shape Of -four and sailed meat,
as well as dried fruits and a great
tank OF water, connecting with what
mus have been a rain reservoir on
the top of the lighthouse. AS we
approached the chamber in the rock
a low moan reached my ears.
There are men in there!" cried to
Nikolai.
who are you?" he called.
Only a moan answered. An oil lamp
was burning in a niche Of the damp
wall. Nikolai snatched 1t up and. des.
pite my warnings, advanced toward
the dark recesses Of the prison, fol
lowing. In the far nook we saw a
sight that called forth a cry of pity
from my companion.
Stretched out upon a bed OF filthy
straw, his hands chained to steel
staples in the wall, was an old man.
emaciated, and apparently upon the
verge OF death. Beside him knelt q
woman, Of mature years, but bearing
the marks of great beauty and dig
nifty, despite the prison pallor Of her
face.
IN the name Of God, who are you
friend?" asked Nikolai.
81 am Adam Gortchakoff," answered
the old man, opening his eyes.
| saw Nikolai start back and claI
his hand to his forehead.
How long have you been confined
here, Adam Gortchakoff?" he asked
with quavering voice.
Twelve years." the old man an
swered. And my daughter also"
God help you" muttered Nikolai
Tears welled into his eyes. Russia
has not forgotten you" he said, rails
ing the old mans hand to his lips
Nor you, madame. But we thought
you had died In Archangel."
There were twelve prisoners here
when | arrived said the woman ir
French. my father and have alone
survived" She turned upon Nikola
fercely. Does Nicholas Stambuloh
still work for Russian" she asked
He is still our hope and Russia's
hope" said Nikolai. Then. hastily
he began telling them of the desperate
chance that had let us hither. Gar
you endure your chains for a few
hours longer?" lie asked
I'VE have endured them twelve
years." answered the woman; and she
bent over her father and pressed {