第 6 页

"You dogs of cowards," he cried, "I give you brief time to choose. Come with us or die. It was well I deceived you as to the appointed time, else you had surely betrayed us.; Answer quickly, for I have no time to idle here."

He pulled back the hammer of his rifle, and raised the weapon menacingly. Gogol showed no sign of fear. His glance went swiftly to the scene of the late struggle, and rested there a brief instant. Half of the convicts had already vanished in the shadows, on their way to the prison. The rest were at a little distance, waiting Rustem's return to start off with the captured Cossacks.

With a lightning-like movement Gogol sprang forward, wrested the rifle from the Turk's grasps and whirling the stock around struck the ruffian a stunning blow on the arm.

"Run, Ivor," he cried, and away they went, plunging with great strides over the snow crust.

Rustem and his two companions started in pursuit, yelling loudly to attract the others, but the fugitives kept well in the lead. They circled around the angle of the coal sheds, and then took to the thickets that lined the base of the mountain. Their confidence was all the greater because they knew their pursuers were unarmed. The darkness helped them to escape observation, and when they reached a belt of pine forest, and plunged into the shelter of the trees, they felt reasonably safe for the present.

They ran on, however, for nearly ten minutes. Then they stopped to listen. The forest was quite still. Not a sound could be heard.

"They have given up the chase," said Gogol. "They have no time to waste, and well they know it. They will make all the more speed toward Karsokov now that we are free."

"We must be the first to reach the town," cried Ivor. "It is a misfortune that we ran in the wrong direction."

"True; I did not think of that at the time," assented Gogol. "Moreover it will be dangerous to go back. The strip of land between the mountain and the coast is very narrow, and the assassins will watch for us. There is only one thing we can do."

"What is that?"

"Cross the mountain ridge, and follow the course of the next valley southward. It comes out a mile from Karsokov."

This plan was discussed more fully, and adopted. The thirty or more Cossacks at the prison would without doubt be overpowered and captured, and it was Gogol's opinion that the convicts would leave them behind, safely locked up, when they started for Karsokov. The delay might enable the fugitives to get a slight start. Even with this they realized the necessity of traveling with the utmost speed their strength would permit. It would be a risky undertaking to try to pass the convicts on the same side of the mountain. Rustem would certainly have men on the watch.

The cold blooded murder of Lieutenant Berg and the overseer showed the temper of the convicts, and made it only too plain that terrible results would ensue if the desperate band fell upon Karsokov unawares. Both Gogol and Ivor were resolved to spare no pains to reach the town in time to give ample warning, and without delay they started up the mountain side. Fortunately it was not very steep at this point, and twenty minutes' climb brought them to the summit.

As they stopped here an instant to regain breath a dull sound of firing came from the west, and ruddy streaks could be seen flashing athwart the darkness. The meaning of this was only too plain. A struggle was taking place between the convicts and the soldiers within the prison.

"It can only end in one way," said Gogol. "The mob are desperate, and when they break in they will slaughter the Cossacks to a man. There! the firing has ceased. The convicts will soon be marching on Karsokov, so we had better not loiter here. You must bear in mind that our road will be much harder to travel than theirs."

The firing was indeed over, and as quickly as possible the fugitives descended the mountain and reached the valley. Scanty food and hard toil in the mines had so weakened their once vigorous frames that they were far from being in good condition for a twelve mile tramp. But the knowledge of what was at stake drove them onward with unflagging energy, and they felt neither weariness nor the intense cold.

The road was indeed rugged, as Gogol had predicted, but the trough of the valley, through which ran a brawling stream, was comparatively open. There was no moon, but the whiteness of the snow covered faintly revealed the obstructing rocks and trees.

For mile after mile the two anxious messengers toiled on. Frequently they fell, sustaining severe bruises, and more than once they slipped waist deep into the treacherous, ice rimmed pools that lay in their path. Nor did the journey lack more serious dangers. At one point they made a detour up the slope of the mountain to avoid a pair of belligerent musk oxen who were making the valley ring with their angry snorting. Later on a bear chased them for fully half a mile. Gogol feared to make use of his rifle lest the convicts should hear the report, and be impelled to greater speed.

When Karsokov was still two or three miles distant pine and spruce timber began to encroach on the very borders of the stream, and this last stretch of the journey seemed longer than all the preceding leagues. Ivor was now fairly staggering with weariness, and even Gogol was beginning to break down, though he was unwilling to admit it.

At last the mountains fell abruptly away, and as the weary fugitives staggered from the mouth of the valley they saw, less than a mile distant, the winkling lights of Karsokov.

* * *

CHAPTER VI

The silence was far from being proof that the mutineers were not close upon Karsokov. Under the efficient leadership of Rustem and Schmidt they would take every precaution to make their arrival at the town a complete surprise. Ivor and Gogol knew this, and while crossihg the intervening space they momentarily dreaded to hear the first guns of the attack. But the stillness remained unbroken when they reached the outskirts of the town, and this very fact lulled them into a false idea of security. They desired, naturally, to communicate their tidings to the governor himself, and lest this object should be thwarted they resolved to avoid the sentinels posted before the various buildings, and gain the governor's house unperceived. Far better had they given an immediate alarm at the prison and the barracks, and thus prevented — in all probability — the terrible events that the night was destined to witness.

It was not difficult to pass through the town unseen. The civil population were abed, and the glimmer of the scattered lamps did not penetrate far among the trees that bordered the streets. By keeping in the rear of the main street the fugitives ran little risk of being discovered by the sentries. They soon had ample proof that the information furnished to the convicts at the mines was correct. Only half the usual number of Cossacks were stationed before the prison, and at the barracks, which adjoined, but one soldier was on duty. This poor fellow was pacing moodily up and down, no doubt inwardly cursing the hard fate that barred him from the pleasures his companions were enjoying.

From the long hall within came bursts of jovial laughter, mingled with the popping of corks and the clink of glasses. Through a rear window Gogol and Ivor saw the soldiers seated around five large tables, which were heaped profusely with food and drink. The number present was about a hundred or a hundred and fifty. It was true, then, that half the usual force had been dispatched to Vladivostok. The convicts could not have chosen a better time for their outbreak,

Passing noiselessly around the barracks Ivor and Gogol glanced at the arsenal — where two or three men were stationed — and then crossed a side street to the governor's house.

Here there were few sounds. Some one was playing a piano within, and dark figures could be seen crossing the brilliantly lighted rooms.

As the fugitives emerged from the shadow of the trees, they were challenged and then roughly seized by the Cossacks on duty before the door. The commotion brought out a young officer, who angrily demanded to know what was the matter.

"We have a message for the governor," said Ivor, "and must see him at once."

"A likely story," laughed the officer. "I know you both, you dogs. You have escaped from the mines."

"That is true. Welcome from the mines," said Gogol. "Take us to the governor instantly, or the delay will cost you dear. It is a matter of life and death."

The officer flushed with anger, and made a movement as though to draw his sword.

"I will repay your insolence at another time," he muttered. "Come! you shall see the governor."

There was a brief delay while the Cossacks searched the fugitives for any weapons they might possess. Then they followed their guide through the hall, and into a large apartment on the right.

The room was furnished in the latest style, and brilliantly lighted by wax candles. Dinner had been over for some time, and the company, numbering about a dozen, were chatting in little groups.

A young girl in evening dress was softly touching the piano, and around a small table containing cigars and liquors sat the governor, Captain Komaroff, and two or three officers. Three other ladies were present, and several civilians — probably Russian merchants of the town.

The entry of the two convicts caused a ripple of astonished mirth to run through the assemblage. In truth they cut a sorry figure in such a place. Their coarse gray cloaks, stiffened with ice, flapped about their legs, and the frost had congealed on their matted beards.

The mirth was succeeded by a brief instant of profound silence. All realized that something serious was at hand, and waited the denouement with quivering anxiety.

Then the governor sprang to his feet and strode forward. "What does this mean?" he cried in an angry voice. "How dare you enter here?"

"We come from the mines at Duli," said Ivor, in a clear, firm tone. "The convicts mutinied at five o'clock this evening. They murdered their officers and overpowered the guards. They are on their way now to seize the town and liberate the other prisoners. We escaped to bring the news.

The governor turned suddenly pale, and a groan escaped his lips. Two or three women shrieked, and the men arose in a body and approached the door, fumbling at their sword belts. The girl at the piano swung around on her stool, revealing the beautiful face that Ivor had never forgotten. Their eyes met, and he felt the hot blood surge strangely through his veins.

At first none could realize the stupendous meaning of the message that had been brought. A hum of questioning voices arose, and two or three officers, more cool headed than the others, rushed out of the house.

"If you are deceiving us your necks will stretch on the gibbet," cried Captain Komaroff. "The news you bring is incredible."

"But father, these men are surely speaking the truth," interrupted his daughter. "They have come all this distance to warn us in time."

She cast a grateful glance of sympathy at Ivor and Gogol.

"Yes, we are telling the truth," cried Ivor hoarsely. "There is not a moment to lose if you would save your lives."

His words and manner carried conviction with them, and the governor held a hasty conference with the officers present. It was evident that no one realized the magnitude of the danger. Indignation at the audacity of the convicts was the uppermost feeling. Quick action was taken, however, and Captain Komaroff hurried away to interrupt the feast at the barracks, and prepare the soldiers for the expected attack.

"Don't be alarmed, ladies," said the governor pompously. "We are quite able to cope with this rabble. Duty compels me to leave you, but I hope to return shortly with reassuring news. Here, Neil," he added to his son, a light haired young fellow of twenty, "I appoint you in charge during my absence. Keep an eye on these two convicts, and see that they have food and drink. They are brave fellows, and look pretty well worn out."

The governor threw his military cloak around him and left the room. Hardly had his footsteps crunched on the crisp snow outside, when the quiet of the town was shattered by a rattling volley of musketry. More shots succeeded, and an instant later a deafening fusillade was in progress. Ferocious yells rose on the night air, and the sound of crashing timbers. The rifle fire increased, and to crown the tumult the great brazen bell of the prison pealed with loud, irregular strokes.

The governor's guests were thrown into in state of panic which young Riskin was powerless to allay, in spite of his fervent promises of protection. Only Sonia, the commandant's daughter, seemed to show no trace of fear, though the color had receded from her face, leaving it of marble whiteness. To Gogol and Ivor the tumult meant the worst. They knew that the town would shortly be at the mercy of the mutineers. They offered their services to the young Russian, but were rudely repulsed — an act that brought a blush of indignation to Sonia's cheeks.

"Keep down your temper," whispered Gogol to his companion. "That insolent fellow will learn a severe lesson before morning.''

The rifle firing and the yelling of the desperate mutineers was now deafening. A stray bullet shattered one of the windows, proving clearly the imminence of the danger, and Ivor resolved at any risk to make an effort to secure the safety of the commandant's daughter. A hasty glance to the hall revealed no weapons of defense, and he was about to search other parts of the house when the governor and Captain Komaroff rushed in, followed by two officers, and the three Cossacks who had been on duty outside of the house.

"We must leave here without a moment's delay," cried the commandant. "My house is well adapted for defense, and we will try to reach it. We can't escape to the forests, for the whole town is in possession of the convicts. They have liberated all the other prisoners, broken into the arsenal, and are now shooting down the troops in barracks. Their feasting will cost them dear, for they are all stupid with vodka."

"Yes," added the governor hoarsely, "the mutinous dogs are at least four hundred strong by this time. We are at their mercy."

Hurried preparations were made for the start, and Ivor and Gogol, who had lost all sense of fatigue in their excitement, volunteered their fighting services, and begged for arms.

"You shall have them as soon as we reach my house," promised Captain Komaroff. "Luckily I have a small arsenal there."