The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-04-06

Jay ilGdIs
All night they stumbled through
the forest, silently, scowling as bran.
ches swept their faces. Only at times
/ Fakeyiv complained Of the foot he
had hurt. He was trembling and con-
tinually stubbing his bare toes. "We'll
die anyway" At times he would
exclaim angrily, "Why did we run
away? Wen only wander into one
of their camps again The devil knows
where are troops are. They're re-
treating Maybe we wouldn't have
been shot, but now, we're sure to-
The giant Iversov slapped him on the
shoulder with the huge paw which a
few hours before had strangled the
white guard. "Come, pull yourself to-
gether, comrade; Wen live "Leave
me alone" Fakeyiv shrugged away
Silence again. They stumbled along,
closing their eyes as branches brushed
by. In the morning they rested. "Not
enough food. Bad" Iversov shook his
head.
"Do you know these parts?" Col
ubovsky asked him.
"Not very well. But farther on is
our country. Wen reach it, Comrade
Commander" A smile spread over
Iversov's fat, kindly face.
eve can't reach it." said Golubov-
sky quietly. zone might, but three
impossible"
Golubovsky drew up his great
height. His voice rang out as clearly
as short time ago when command
ing his regiment:
"Iversov! One of US must reach
our territory that he may lead our
troops to the rear of the enemy's
army. It's right flank is weak. Even
a small company, preferably cavalry,
entering the rear, might decide mat
ters for us on this front. Iversov!
remember this path as we'll as you
can. You know the tundra better than
I know the streets of St. Petersburg.
Come, divide the food into tiny por-
tons, one for each day. If you eat it
all at once you won't be able to crawl
half the way. Understand
How? l alone? Iversov did not
understand.
There is barely enough for you
alone-you are stronger than we.
"He," Golubovsky pointed at Fakeyiv,
che certainly couldn't live through iti''
Ard x,o,, ly11x.y x1o,,rsols 1oI -
confusion lately and have been wound
ed. Then you know this country"
Commander, Commander, ="
"Stop! l will go on with you as
far as 1 can without food. AS for
him." he pointed at Fakeyiv, "he can
go no farther. Wen tie him to tree,
Iversov, or he will return to the whites
and ruin himself, us, and, what mat
ters most, our plans. He'll be afraid
to die in the forest and would go
back to hell itself. know him-a
coward"
"Comrade Commander! Impossible!
If we die, we all die, if we go on, we
go on together How can we tie a
man to a tree?" exclaimed Iversov
rapidly.
"Comrade Golubovsky!" Fakeyiv
staggered on his swollen feet. HIS
white face was convulsed.
"Comrade Iversov! Remember, we
are no longer prisoners. l am issu-
ing a military command. Bind Fakey-
iv!" Numbered the voice at the sound
of which but lately three hundred
men had frozen into position or as
one man dashed into battle. He con-
tinued quietly but firmly, "Iversov!
] saved you at Belash. Don't stop to
save me now, save the cause and your
self. Save yourself that you may save
the cause. You will lead our men
back. The matter is clear: three die
or one goes on. Silence Iversov! You
are to be married. Remember, you
told me?" Even more quietly he went
on, "Remember-Katia, Iversov? You
must save yourself for her sake. Why
argue? Can three walk ten days and
nights on one days rations? You
alone, eating a little, can make it. !
am still your commander. We are
not in prison. For the last time ]
repeat, am issuing a military order.
Frenzied scolding, prayers, and
curses streamed from Fakeyiv's lips
Weak, narrow-chested, with swollen
feet, he was being crushed by Iver-
sov's firm, heavy-boned bulk.
Tighter" Golubovsky was saying
"Comradesl Dear comrades Ah-h-l
What does this mean? Oh-oh! Com
:. Com. i. "Golubovsky was stuffine
his mouth with a crumpled, torn-ofi
shirt sleeve. "Ooo-oo-oo." He clenched
his teeth.
"Stop this! Open your mouth" said
Golubovsky. Trembling against the
tree-trunk, Fakeyiv desperately wrig-
gled his head. Gazing up at him, his
eyes filled with tears, lversov was
binding his feet with strips Of torn
off clothing.
"Force his mouth OPEN" The tear.
full brown eyes were trimming over
Fool. He'll scream" Iversov lowered
his ewes and n great soh shook his