Year: 1879

tued he will be safe for the Spaniars are anxious to
maintain the neutrality OF Russia and will matreat
him for fear Of causing a rupture with the Gar


Murat was greatly relieved and sent for the who
in the esteem Of the poanders the efficient and
intelligent. handsome young fellow, not yet twenty
years OF age returned TO him The marshal hesitated
to send so young man on trip terribly dangerous
but was reassure by the quiet, determined certainty
success expressed by the youth So they ared him
Russ. and he stract out on his hazardous errand.


The first two days of his trip pleasant, but the
third Lecknsl seized by body of Spaniards dis
armed and brought him before the commanding officer
Castanos himself lie knew the fate that would follow
if he discovered Frenchman and at once hit
upon plan not to permit word of the gallo escape
him, however pushed and confine himself entirely to
Russian and German with both languages he was per-
tectly familiar The horrible murder of General Rener
who but few weeks previous captured by the Span
ish and subjected to the horrible tortures together
with the savage threats OF his capto tended to shake his
nerves considerable but it matter life and death
tohimsel and the fate of his army we'll depended upon
him, SO he determined to play his par well. And he
played it we'll.


Who are you asked Castanos in French Leclinsk
looked banky at him, and answered in German, " do
not understand you "


An interpreter called and the most difficult ques
tons put to the courier but he gave himself away
Every answer was in Russian German, and the crowd
OF men about him hungry for his bloodand feeling
sured OF his identity one OF the French


Shortly they brought Spanish peasant, and with him
confronted the courier The peasant recognized him.
with howl Of hatred and Joy declared that be had but
week ago sold forage to Leckinsk in Madrid aud de-
scrbed the countenance and the man with genuine acc
racy. Still the latter could be phased He stood
mute and with face evincing bssful ignorance of
the cooquy about him Castanos disposed acqut
the COURIER but the soldiers and mob demanded his life
Then the question of Russia anger the should
really he Russian up aud his prospective death
was compromised upon by further trial He taken
10 wretChed Jail and ncarcerated For twenty-four
hours he without food drink Fear physical fatigue
and mental anxiety sat about him like vultures about
dying wayfarer Too fatigued he fell asleep without
knowing it. He had slept but two hours when woman
entered his CELL and arousng him, asked Win you not
nave something TO eat and drink y 1t a cunning
NOT IN hp antr mad Niot1
you want? he asked drousily, in German. Castanos
gave orders TO give him food and drink and TO release
him. lie is not a Frenchman, but a Russ. No man
could control himself so far, he said


but lt was decided to keep him longer and put him
through another series of experiments. Racks garrotes
and corpseS of murdered Frenchmen were exhibited to him
but he was still the phlegmatic German Finally he was
brought before drum head court While the preparations
of the fina trial Were being made horrible threats in
rrench ana Spanish uttered about him. but he
tnued stold and ignorant An interpreter was brought
forward Through him he explained why he going TO
LISBON showing his passport and the dispatches to the
admiIal OF the Russian fleet Though subjected TO the
most intensely scrutlnous examinations he
his pseudo nativity and his story without change of f
tuie or tiaw in his assured veracity


As last resort the presiding officer told the interpre
yer 70 ask Leckniski if he loved the Spanards The ques
ton put.


Certainly, said Leckinski am fond of the Span
ish nation Iesteem it for its nobility and trust that my
nation and it viii be friends


Colonel said the interpreter in French the pris-
oner says he hates us because bandits He despses
us and would wish destroyed and if delivered will do
bis utmost against u.s.


1t was cunning trick All eyes were fixed upon Leck
mski to discover the least shadow intelligence of the
words But failed Unbafled he kept the same dead
mask OF ignorance uron his face feature moved
did he offer the least gesture This ended his terrible
tal tie was released, and his and dispatches re-
turned under safe transport he reached the admiral and
fulfilled his mission


mo Pony, No Ile''


pca;d -