"I have found something," exclaimed Platoff, who was ahead. "Clothes, firearms—yes, and matches," he added, joyously—"a tin box of matches."
The boys heard something rattle. and then their eyes were blinded by a bright light. They were able to see clearly in a moment, and the sight that met their gaze was a strange one. They were standing in a circular cavern, twenty feet in diameter, and six feet or more in height. The floor and walls were dry, and the atmosphere was warm and pleasant.
"Here are the things which that brave girl has provided," said Platoff, pointing to a heap on the floor. "She has overlooked nothing —there are even candles," and taking one from a box, he lit it with the burning match, and placed it in a crevice on the floor. With trembling hands they turned over the articles, uttering cries of delight at every new discovery.
There were three complete outfits of clothes—coarse, heavy garments such as are worn by Russian peasants, including trousers, flannel shirts, and thick, warm coats. In a canvas hag were two silver mounted revolvers, with accompanying boxes of shells, and a sharp knife in a sheath, while another and larger bag contained a supply of provisions —bread, tea, and dried meat, enough for two weeks at least, Platoff declared.
In addition there were a dozen candles, while it remained for Maurice to make the most important find of all, in Platoff's estimation—a leathern belt which proved to contain one hundred rubles in silver.
"With that money," asserted the Russian, "we can purchase food along the way, and we shall be regarded with less suspicion. Everything is now in our favour. I believe that we can reach Vladivostok in safety. Heaven bless that noble girl!" Platoff broke off abruptly and covering his face with his hands, sank to the floor, overcome with emotion.
The boys, too, lost all control of their feelings. Phil sobbed aloud, and Maurice, with an overflowing heart, knelt on the rocks and uttered a grateful prayer.
At last Platoff rose to his feet, and dashed the moisture from his eyes.
"We had better change our clothed he said, "or we shall be ill from that long journey in the waters. This suggestion was welcomed, and the boys flung off their wet garments with all haste. Their new attire proved to be an excellent fit—so much so, indeed, that Platoff's curiosity was aroused.
"If that girl knew nothing of your companions," he observed shrewdly, "how did she choose such suitable garments?"
"She probably had seen both Phil and me," replied Maurice, with a smile, "and knowing that my third companion was to be a Russian, she naturally procured a larger set of clothes. You Russians are a big race, you see."
"Yes, yes—that's it," remarked Platoff, well satisfied with the explanation.
How the brave maiden had succeeded in getting the things and conveying them to the cavern was a problem none could clearly understand. It had undoubtedly been accomplished with considerable risk to herself, with help from other arms. From that moment Maurice felt that, in spite of his unjust treatment, he would always have a soft spot in his heart for a nation that could produce such specimens of young womanhood.
Sleep was impossible under the circumstances, and all remained awake until a faint grey streak shining into the cavern announced the approach of dawn. Platoff crept to the entrance to make a reconnoissance.
"All is well," he declared, on his return. "Our hiding-place is perfectly safe. The pine-scrubs on the ledge hide it completely. It is snowing hard, and our footprints have been destroyed long ago. And besides," he added, "they would never search for us here. It is even probable that, when they fail to discover us, they will believe we have perished under the snow, and will abandon the pursuit. We will remain here for a week at least, probably two weeks. Then it will be safe to start."
"What kind of country must we travel through?" asked Maurice, ["i]s it wild?"
"Yes," said Platoff, "the valley of the Anner is wild and desolate. The post-road follows the river, of course, with stations at long intervals, but we must avoid that. There are wolves and deer in the hills and fish in the river, while in the vicinity of Vladivostok fierce tigers are said to abound. But with our arms we need have little cause for fear."
Platoff spoke more fully concerning the valley of the Anner, answering the boys' questions with a readiness that proved him to be acquainted with the general nature of the country.
At last, after a hearty meal, they went to sleep with a feeling of absolute security.
When they awoke, it was apparently late in the afternoon. It was still snowing, and so thickly that from the mouth of the cavern it was impossible to see any distance into the valley.
For several days this storm continued, and the fugitives felt thankful indeed for their secure refuge. The time passed monotonously it is true, but they had plenty to eat and were comfortably warm. Melted snow supplied them with water.
On the fourth day the weather changed, becoming clear and cold. From the ledge it was possible to see across the valley to the settlement. The prison and many of the houses were in plain view, but at such a distance all seemed peaceful and serene.
Late that afternoon, before the sun went down, Platoff pointed to two dark spots approaching the prison from different directions.
"They are mounted Cossacks returning from the search," he said, confidently; "it will soon be safe for us to leave."
"But will they give up the search entirely?" inquired Phil.
"Yes, so far as concerns the soldiers in garrison at the mines," answered Platoff. "Of course our escape with full descriptions has been telegraphed all over Siberia, and at every village and posting station they will be on the lookout for us, but we will keep away from all such dangerous places, trust me for that."
The change in Platoff during the last few days had been marvelous. He actually seemed to have grown taller, and the weary hopeless expression had departed from his face, leaving it bright and sparkling with animation. His taciturn, moody disposition was gone, and he beguiled the weary hours spent in the cavern with tales and incidents that were absorbingly interesting to the boys. Thus the time went swiftly by, and they woke on the sixth morning to find the air mild and damp, and a drizzling rain coming down steadily.
"This puts an end to all pursuit that may be going on," said Platoff; "it is impossible for horsemen to travel through the slushy snow. To-day we will spend in preparing for the start."
"But how can we travel better than horses in such weather?" asked Maurice.
"Wait till to-morrow," said Platoff, knowingly; there may be a chance."
The Russian's prediction was still unfulfilled when evening came, but some time during the night Maurice woke and sat up shivering. Outside he heard the wind roaring, and a cold air was drifting down the cavern mouth. Wrapping some of the abandoned clothes about him he fell asleep again. Then he began to dream. He was riding on horseback over a snowy plain that stretched far in the distance. By his side, mounted on a black horse, was Lora Melikoff, her dark hair streaming in the wind, her cheeks aglow with excitement. A steady tramp, tramp! was ringing in his ears—the din of pursuing Cossacks—and ever and anon rifles cracked sharply and the whistling bullets hissed overhead. But suddenly the plain vanished and a great black gulf was before them. Faster and faster sped the horses; still closer came the awful chasm; and now they were treading on the brink. Crash! crash! They toppled over the edge—— Then came a ringing voice in his ear and a hand on his shoulder.
"Come, get up. The morning has come and the rain is over."
Maurice sat erect, rubbing his eyes with his fists.
"Lora—where is Lora?" he asked.
"Ah, you have been dreaming," said Platoff, with a merry laugh. "Come out to the ledge. Did I not predict a change in the weather? Well, it is already here, and to-night we may bid farewell to our cavern."
He led the boys to the opening, and the first touch of the cold, piercing air made them shiver. A cry of astonishment burst from their lips. The sky was intensely blue and clear, and in the sunlight, as far as the eye could reach, hillside, valley, and plain sparkled like myriads of diamonds.
"The cold is intense," remarked Platoff, but it has done us good service. An icy crust has formed on the snow overnight that will hear us. At the same time it is not strong enough for horsemen. Our opportunity for escape could not be better. At sunset we shall be off—off for Vladivostok and freedom."
The brave Russian's voice shook with emotion, and a tear trickled down his cheeks. Brief as that day really was, it seemed an eternity to the impatient fugitives. The provisions—of which a considerable supply remained—were divided into packages, one for each man.
Platoff took one of the revolvers and the belt of rubles, giving the other revolver to Maurice and the knife to Phil.
The Cossack uniform and the prison clothes which might have done good service in case of cold or wet they were compelled to leave in the cavern. To take them along would have imperilled safety and afforded sure means of identification. All day long Platoff lay at the cavern mouth watching the valley.
Not a creature came that way. and when the setting sun was succeeded by a misty twilight he gave the word to start.
Slowly and deliberately they climbed down the ledge to the top of the hill, and standing in the shadow of the seven pine-trees, glanced back at the darkening valley with its dread associations.
"Forward!" cried Platoff, and turning to the south-east, they crossed the ridge, and went with cautious step down the slope beyond.
Alternately sliding and crawling they gained the valley and travelled for an hour or more over the frozen crust. Then a hill loomed darkly before them, and an hour later they reached its crest, weary and footsore.
"There," exclaimed Platoff, with a wave of the hand, "behold the valley of the Anner," and glancing down the long, frozen slopes, the boys saw vaguely and dimly the great water highway that flows to the far Pacific, now chafing and fretting under its icy fetters.
For some minutes they stood thus, strangely fascinated by the splendour of the night.
Then the impressive silence was disturbed by a sharp cry from Platoff—a cry that echoed swiftly down the valley from peak peak, as though giants were signalling each other.
* * *
CHAPTER XIX
Platoff's outcry gave the boys a severe fright. When they turned round, the Russian waa striding towards a dark object a few yards away.
"It was a foolish thing to shout so loudly," he said. "I forgot the echo. It was done before I had time to think. But see, I have made a fortunate discovery."
Hurrying to the spot, the boys were surprise to find half a dozen wheel barrows deeply inbedded in the snow.
"A year ago, or more, mining operations were begun beyond this ridge," said Platoff, "so one of the convicts informed me. These wheelbarrows were either forgotten or purposely abandoned. and now they will do us a good turn."
"In what way," asked Maurice.
For answer Platoff pointed to the long slope of frozen snow.
"Time is precious," he said, "and to make our way down that slippery incline would be a difficult task. By taking these wheels barrows apart we can go to the bottom of the valley in two or three minutes. The risk will be slight, for no trees or rocks can be seen."
With some difficulty, the clumsy barrows were torn loose from the frozen snow, and the shallow wooden beds detached from the wheels.
Platoff chose a good position on the brow of the hill, and fixed himself as comfortable as possible in the strange sled.
"Don't start until I am a hundred yards down," he said to the boys. "If there is danger ahead, I will shout, and you can alter your course."
He pushed himself gently off, and went skimming down the hill at prodigious speed.
"Now, there, off we go," said Maurice; "hold tight, Phil, and don't be scared." He slipped over the crest, and plunged downward. For a moment the clumsy box grated over the icy crust, then it went off with a rush that took Maurice's breath away, and his remembrance of what followed was always of the dimmest nature. Frightened at the terrific speed and the stinging force of the wind, he clung to the sides with all his might. Hissing like a buzz-saw, the sled whizzed down the first couple of slopes, then with a succession of heavy bumps it shot over a ridge and entered upon a longer and steeper incline.
With a rush like a sky-rocket it covered this half-mile stretch, and then leaped into the air, Maurice cried aloud as he felt himself falling, and clutched the sledge all the tighter. A crash—a crack—a blinding shower of snow, and then he knew that the ride had ended.
Overhead he saw the stars shining, and struggling through the masses of light, powdery snow that enveloped him, he gained the edge of the crust, and climbed into the open air, none the worse for his adventure save a slight sensation of dizziness. A dark figure was visible some distance away, and an instant later he was clasping hands with Platoff.
"Phil!—where is Phil?" he demanded, anxiously.
Platoff made no reply, and together they ran over the crest. A dark hole yawned before them, and, leaning over the brink, Platoff inserted his arm and helped out the missing boy. Phil opened his eyes and then his mouth.
"Well, that beats all the toboggan slides ever I saw," he said, looking up at the hills behind him with such a comical expression that his companions laughed.
"Thank Heaven we are safe!" said Platoff; "that was a perilous leap," and he pointed to the sharp cliff, twenty feet above them, over which the sled had plunged.
"All's well that ends well," replied Maurice. "I wonder if we lost anything on the way."
Nothing was missing, however, and, after a brief rest, all were ready for the start. A succession of slight hills and ravines now separated the party from the river.
"Somewhere below us lies the post-road," said Platoff; "it will not be safe to approach any nearer. We must keep back along the edge of the valleys. Our ride down hill has given us a big start. We can gain a safe hiding-place before daylight."
The journey was resumed in single file, Platoff assuming the lead, and for hours they travelled over slippery ridges and through dark, thickly-wooded hollows. The cold was intense, but they moved at too rapid a pace to suffer from it. At the first appearance of dawn, Platoff cast his eyes about for a hiding place, and finally chose a deep, secluded valley with a forest of spruce and fir on all sides. They slept at intervals during the day, and in spite of the risk a fire was kept up, and fed with branches from the trees. One of the party remained constantly on guard. At night the journey was resumed over the hard crust.
