01 NAVIGATION SOLVED
German Balloons Hovering Over
Russian Forts.
y ( omc From the Frunlan Border and
s»il Directly Against the WUd
Methods of Modern Wuhrs
Will He Revolutionized.
St. Petersburg, April 1.—The pres
ence of balloons over the forts and en
campments in Poland is becoming more
frequent than ever and this fact is
causing such indignation among army
officers who are helpless to prevent
military secrets from becoming known
to the German officers who are known
to he taking observations from a height
that places them beyond the reach of
anv bullets aimed at them. One of
these balloons from the German fron
tier recently appeared at Kovno. It
hovered above the fortress there until
the officer in command became so
greatly exasperated that he ordered
tome of the soldiers to fire at the bal
loon and if possible to bring it to the
ground, llad the soldiers been able
to hit the big silken bag floating so
(high in the air and make a hole in it,
it would have meant a horrible death
for its occupants, but the range was
too great and the powder burned in
the attempt was useless. The Ger
mans continued their observations in
no way bothered by the firing and
when they had concluded they re
turned whence they came. The im
pression grows stronger daily that the
Germans have at last solved the long
studied problem of aerial navigation.
These balloons that have appeared
over various places in Poland
are under perfect control. They
move in any desired direction,
and the wind currents have
no perceptible effect on them. In fact,
in at least one instance it is known
that the balloon sailed directly against
a strong wind. Some of the observers
accounted for this on the ground that
the upper current was moving in an
opposite direction from the current
nearer the earth. This argument was
rendered fallacious in a very short
time by the balloon stopping over the
military camp at Dorabrowico,
and then maneuvering to obtain
positions from which the camp
eould be studied in detail.
The motive power employed and the
means adopted for steering are utterly
unknown, but all the fact^ in connec
tion with the appearance of these bal
loons go to show that they are under
absolute control, ihe possibilities of
a perfect system of aerial navigation
are thoroughly understood by Russian
officers, but they are absolutely help
less to guard against them. It is the
fact of their utter helplessness that
renders their indignation more deep
and bitter.
A few nights ago the inhabitants of
Warsaw were startled by an intense
bright light that fell from the sky
upon the city. All eyes were turned
upward, but nothing could be seen
6ave a path of light that
ended in a small focus Many
people in their excitement thought ■
it was a comet in close prox
imity to the earth and were greatly
frightened. Suddenly the ray of light
swept in another direction, aud when
their eyes became accustomed to the
darkness that followed they could see
far up in the sky a balloon. Then it
dawned upon the people that it was
an electric search-light that had caused
the brilliant illumination and that the
Hermans were continuing their obser
vations of Russia's defenses with its
aid. The balloon remained over the
city until 1 o'clock in the morning,
when the li&ht was extinguished and
the balloon, heading westward toward
the frontier of Prussia, disappeared.
Later another balloon was seen over
the I’rousehknuff railway station. It :
remained stationary for a time and 1
then started in tlie direction of the
fort works near Keletz, where it
hovered a while, when it returned
across the frontier.
Reports of similar occurences have
been received from Sosnovitsky and
other places along the frontier. The
balloons come from Prussian soil
in th»> nid-iif ^^fKni*
rays of powerful search-lights in every
direction. The balloons, which were
at a great height, remained stationary,
sometimes for the space of forty min
utes. and would then proceed in any
desired direction. There is no doubt
that the steering apparatus, what
ever it is, is admirably adapted for its
purpose, for the balloons apparently
answer to it as readily as does a vessel
to her helm. Russian officials hold
that with manageable balloons the
whole system of warfare will Nbt>
changed. It is self-evident that none
the present fortifications would be
uble to withstand an attach from above
them. Shells could be dropped with
almost unerring certainty, and no city
could defend itself from an enemy far
up in the air beyond the reach of any
uussile. Even modern cannon with
their great range could not at present
he used against balloons, for the rea
son that gun carriages have not been
ttaue that will allow of a perpendicu
lar elevation.
UNANIMOUS FOR GROVER.
Minnesota Democrats Declare for Cleve
land and Tariff Deform.
St. Paul, Minn., April 1.—As was
expected the state democratic conven
tion, held here yesterday, unanimously
indorsed Cleveland. Resolutions in
structing the delegation to vote for
>m so long as there was any possibil
lly of his nomination went through
with a cheer.
The platform adopted declares
Rainst protection and favors tariff
as f U t'iie expression on coinage is
In accordance with the traditional
,n lcy °ur party as to both goid and
ver' "e hold that the sole coinage func
rcU,* the government is to examine the
,ye,va'ues of the metals of coinage
if it 18ked by the commercial world, and
in tuero has been sufficient fluctuation
, *he value of either to
th»> 4 *“e . e*l*ting ratio unequal,
. : lo readjust ratios so the number of
°f either metal in a dollar be
,’J’alent 1® value, and then permit the
— , ,aud unrestricted coinage of both
Y„Jt , We Join the democracy of New
in demanding the repeal of the
ffflan silver coinage act,"
ROTTEN BACON DIO IT.
Senator Manderson Bar* tha Armour*
Caused the Battle of Wounded Knee.
WASHINGTON, April 2.—Indian Com.
missioner Morgan will prepare a reply
to the statement made by Senator
Manderson during the debate on the
clause of the Indian bill authorising
the appointment of army officers as In
dian agents whenever vacancies oc
curred, reflecting very severely upon
P. D. Armour, of Chicago, and Inspec
tor Cox,of the Indian department. Tha
statement was made in debate that
the Sioux war of 1890 was caused by
the Armours sending out 120,000 pound's
of rotten bacon which the civilian in
spector, Cox, had accepted for the in
terior department; that Captains
Penny, of the Sixth infantry, and Le
roy Brown, of the Eleventh infantry,
refused to accept this bacon for the
Indians because it was not fit for any
human being to eat; that Commis
sioner Morgan was ordered to send an
inspector out to the Sioux reservation
to examine this meat and he sent the
same man Cox, who had inspected it
in Chicago; that Cox examined it when
the thermometer was 20 degrees below
zero and reported that it was -all
right; then the two officers mentioned
were ordered to issue the bacon to the
Indians anyway, but refused and ap
pealed to the secretary of the interior.
V .^^'s *nju*tice and robbery, for the
Indians were robbed," said Senator
Manderson. "caused the battle of
Wounded Knee, and the precedent and
subsequent killings of and by the
Sioux.” .
It is not often that a sen
ator attacks his party's officials in open
debite in such a forcible way as Man
derson did. Secretary Noble is ter
ribly enraged over it and has ordered
Commissioner Morgan to prepare an
explanation of the proceedings
charged, if he can. The section of
the bill allowing army officers to be
appointed agents passed. But this is
only the beginning of a general over
hauling of the methods of con
conducting business with the Indiana
Senator Pettigrew in his defense of
the civilian Indian agent finally at
tacked General Miles, charging that
Miles had made statements that would
not bear investigation, etc. There
promises to be a very lively time among
interior department officials before the
charges made relative to their methods
of conducting Indian business are
cleared up
It is said that the Armours deny ever
having furnished any meats to the In
dian office that were not perfectly
sound and that they will demand an
investigation. They say that if any
crookedness was carried on it was
without their knowledge and that
tneir ousiness reputation lor years ro
tates a itch a charge. It is probable
that all the persons mentioned by
name in Senator Manderson's speech
will be called upon to testify. Man
derson refuses to talk for publication,
but says if given the chance he will
prove all he charged in his speech.
SUDDEN DEATH.
Herman Pazedaek, a Young Student, Drop!
Dead at Tipton.
Masox City, la., April 2.—A dis
patch has just been received ip this
city announcing that Herman Paze
dack, a son of Julius Pasedack, of
this city, had dropped dead on the
street at Tipton. He had just grad
uated from the Iowa State university,
and was to have entered upon a pro
fessorship at the beginning of next
term.
I)ulutli District Lumber Cut.
Duluth, Minn., April 2.—All lum
bermen in the Duluth district have
this week finished their work for the
winter, and a careful canvass of the
returns shows a cut of over 360,000,000
feet Resides this companies which
operate logging railways will increase
the total during the season to about
410.000,000 feet. This is an increase of
over 33 per cent, on any preceding
year. Loggers report that there has
never been such a favorable winter in 1
their trade and the sales of lumber are
alr.ady unprecedented.
THE MARKETS.
Live Stock.
Sioux Citt, April 4.
Hog*—Light, f4.50@ 1.60; mixed, $1,450
4.55; heavy, $4.2504.40.
Cattle—Steers, 1,100 to 1,300 pounds,
$3.0003.90; feeders, <3.5001.15; stockers,
$23 002.40; cows, i ommou to {food, $1,00 4
3 00; yearlings, $.*.Oj02.75; bulls, $1,500
2.75; veal calves, $2.5004.00.
Chicago.
Chicago, April 4.
Cattle—Choice beeves, $3.6O05.OU; cows,
$1.8003.75; feeders, $.\25@.i75; bulls,
$1.8003.75; Texans, 2.-i5@3.75.
Host—Light, $4.5O05.OJ; mixed, $4,500
4.95: heavy, $4.2004.05.
Sheep—Natives, $1.5005.50; westerns,
$4.5000.15; Texans, $4.1005.80.
South OmAha.
S -u rn Omaha. April 4.
Hogs—Light, $4.f504.63>^; mixed, $4.55
04.00; heavy, $4.5004.80.
Cattle—Stockers and feeders, $2.4003.20;
cows, $2.4003.20. common, $LOO0l. 10.
Kansa« City,
Kansas Citi, April 4.
Cattle—Extra fancy steers, $3.4004.20;
cows, $1.4003 4); stockers, $2.5506 50;
feeders, $2.5506.50.
Hogs—Extreme ranges, $3.750 4.60.
Produce and Provisions.
Chicago, April 4.
Flour—Spring patents, $4,250 4.60; win*
ter patents, $4.2 »0 *-6). *
Wheat—Cash, May, *9%c.
Corn—Ca h. 39^c; May, 40%c.
Oats—C; »h, May, 280.8J£c. N<x
2 white, 3l>$c; No. 3 white, 29031c.
Kye—75c.
Barley—56c.
Timothy—$1.28.
Flax—97c.
Whisky—$1-13.
Pork-Cash, I10.27K; May, $10.30010.40.
Lard—Cash. $6.25; May, $6.
Shoulders—$4.5005.00; short clear, $6.20;
short ribs, $5.67^05.70; May, $5.60.
Butter—Creamery, 20@;7c; dairy, 180
Cheese — Full cream Cheddars, 11^0
ll^c: flats, llXQUci Young Americas,
liU0l3c.
Eg^s—Fresh, 12012^0.
Hides—Heavy and light green salted.
6c; salted bull. 4&@*>fe; green salted
calf, 60«Kc; dry flint, 8c; dry salted
hides, C07c; dry calf, 809c; deacon*,
6aTailow—Na 1 aolid, 4c; packed, «@2^e,
cake,
MnraiAFOLia, April 4.
Wheat — Clo.lng: April, 7Bc; May
75!k(<475Xc; on track, Na 1 hard, 7koi
Na 1 northern, 78.; Na 8 norther,
72(3760.
FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
The sen*t»,>
Washington. March 29—'The vice-prt*
ldent laid before the senate today three
requests from organized labor In the Dis
trict of Columbia which asked first repre
sentatives according to democratic princi
ples such as prevailed in every other com
munity, and second the proper enforce
ment of the eight hour law, and third, a
sufficient appropriation to provide text
books in the public schools.
Mr. Stewart, of Nevada, • hen the ordor
calling for the introduction of the bills
was reached, said: **I desire to givo no
tice that on Monday next after the morn
ing business I shall move to take
up senate bill 51, a bill to provide
for the free coinage of gold and
silver and for other purposes.* In reply
to Mr. Hoar, of Massnchusets, Mif Stew
art stated that the bill was now ou the
calendar with an adverse report. The
bill is No. 257 on the calendar, with twen
ty-one bills preceding it, which have been
reached under rule 8 and passed over
without prejudice. Rule 8 limits debate
to five minutos and prohibits senators
from addressing the senate more than
once on the same motion. To take the
bill out of this category und bring it be
fore the senate for general discussion and
action requires a majority vote of the
senate. (
Mr. Wolcott, of Colorado, made a forci
ble speech in support of his resolution re
questing the president to withhold from
settlement in severalty the lands now oc
cupied by the Ute Indians in southern
Californio.
Mr. Wolcott severely criticised the In
dian rights association, and said that they
had been misled by a corporation.
Mr. Dawes, warming, repudiated the
statement.
Mr. Weller poured oil on the troubled
waters, and Mr. Wolcott’s resolution was
finally adopted. The senate then went
into executive session.
Washington, March 30.—In tne senate
today Mr. Mills, senator-elect from Texas,
subscribed to the oath of office and took
bis seat The hills and petitions intro
duced during the morning hour were quite
barren of public interest. Mr. Stanford,
of California, delivered a speech in favor
of bis legal tender dollar bill and moved
to refer his oili to the finance committee,
which motion was adopted. The senate
resumed consideration of the Indian ap
propriation bill.
Washington, March 31.—In the senate
today Mr. Allen, of Washington, pre
sented a petition in relntiou to congres
sional assistance to the Nicaragua canal
and remarked that he would like to know
what progress was being mnde by the
committee on foreign affairs in consider
ing this matter.
Mr. Sherman replied that the Nicaragua
canal was progressing satisfactorily un
der the work of a private corporation
chartered by congress. Congress had
done nothing whatever to aid the
enterprise. A special committee of for
eign relations was now taking testimony
as to the present condition and future pros
Eerity of the enterprise, but would proba
ly be more diligent in its investigation fl
it were more hopeful of congressional as
sistance.
iui, nuniut, ui v.uuii>;t’uuub1 uuiu mu
committee on military affairs, reported
and the senate passed a b!*l empowering
the managers of the National soldiers’
home to select their employes from among
soldiers who served in the late war instead
of restricting them as now to the officers.
An animated silver discussion was
caused^by a series of resolutions intro
duced by Mr Morgan, of Alabama, which
is to be continued tomorrow. Poiuted ref
erences were made by Mr. Morgan to the
attitude of the presidential candidates on
the question. Mr. Hill was present dur
ing the discussion but took no part in it.
The senate by a vote of ^9 to refused to
strike out the house provision authorizing
the detail d* army officers to act as Indian
agents.
The House.
Wi^SH:tfVroN\ March *<9.—Owing to the
action on the silver bill yesterday the at
tendance this morning was small and an
expected red letter day in the annals of sil
ver legislation was thereby lost, the house
devoting its time to the tariff debate. A
letter was read from Mr. Mills, of Texas,
stating that he had transmitted his resig
nation as a member of congress to the
governor of l-'exas to take effect today.
Bills were passed for the relief of Dan
iel McClure and to establish a port of de
livery at Des Moines. Ia.
The bouse then went into a committeo
of the whole on the tariff bill. Mr. Harer,
dem., of Ohio, was the lirst speaker. He
favored the free wool bill.
Washington, March 30.—In the house
today after a number of resignations from
and appointments to committees were an
nounced by the speaker the following bills
were passed : To authorize the construc
tion of a bridge across the Missouri river
at Dewitt. Carroll county, Missouri; a bill
for the relief of .tohn Warren.
A bill to encourage American ship build
in^ was renorted.
Mr. McMiliin. of Tennessee, said it was
the purpose of the ways and means coin*
mittee to closo general debate on the wool
bill Saturday next and ashed unanimous
consent that the bouse should take a re
cess at f>:--0 today until 8 o’clock tonight,
the evening session to be devoted to the
debate on the pendiug tariff bill Agreed
to. The house went ito committee of the
whole on the tariff bill, Mr. Blount in the
chair. Mr. Butler, dem , of Iowa, took the
floor in advocacy of the measure.
VVa nivoroN. March 81.—In the house
today a resolutiont was passed against the
use of the Mnrellie tower on Lybee
island, Georgia, for a signal station; also
to protect foreign exhibitors at the 1
Columbian exposition from prosecution i
for exhibition of wares protected by Amer
ican patents and trade marks; also a bill ,
to fix the time for holding courts in the
district of West Virginia. The house
went into committee of the whole on the 1
free wool bill, Mr. Bronson, of Pennsyl
vania, taking the floor in opposition to the ;
bill.
Washisgt n. April2.—In the house to*
day the river and harbor bill was reported
by that committee and referred to the
union calendar.
Mr. Flthian, of Illinois, reported a bill
for the free admission to American regis
try of ships bui t in foreign countries
The committee on commerce reported a
resolution granting to the Compagnie
Franeiscise du Telegraph do
Paris, of New York, the right
to land a cable on the shores of
South Carolina and Virginia, fro n there tc
be laid o the island of Cuba or San Do
mingo or both. The house then went intc
committee of the whole on the free wool
bill, Mr. McKinney, dem.. of \ew Hamp
shire, speaking in favor of the measure.
Mr. Burrows, of Michigan, closed the
dabate in a speech in opposition to the
bill.
AUSTRALIA’S MISERY. I
--- !
Half Time Relief Work Ordered—Blanket!
and Shelter for the Poor. I
Melbourne, April 4.—Tlio govern- ,
ment is placing men employed on the i
relief work on half time in order tc I
give work to a greater number. With
out the aid thus given the men em *
ployed would be absolutely without .
means of earning a livelihood.
The mayor has directed that the ex- '
hibition building at Sydney be used as 1
a shelter for the unemployed working- 1
men and their families. The govern*
ment is serving blankets to the most 1
needy among the unemployed. {
THE EXILES.
A RUSSIAN STOUT.
CHAPTER XXIX.—THE ICE-BOVXD'silir AND ITS
SREI.ETOX CHEW.
Nadcgo and Ludislus had mill'll repug
nance for soul flesh—perhaps, because they
had tasted the strange food preparations of
the native couplo who had visited them—
that M. I.afleur induced Yogop to resume
hunting ttie white bear.
Hunger was making itself cruelly felt in
tho hut. when ono morning Yegor and his
friend went courageously upon the frozen
surface of tho sea. Tho cold, vory sharp for
some days past, had solidified it, this time,
beyond all danger of ueetdont.
Tho limiters walkod for more than four
miles among tho lioaps of broken ice blocks
which formed the hummocks adhering to
tho shoro. The two Siberian dogs accom
panied them. Wab hod boon loft at tho
hut for tho security of Nadege and Ltid
islas.
They nrrlvod in front of broad and lofty
Icebergs, which hod come there from afar
off, from the west, doubtloss, and probably
from the coast of Greenland whore the
mountains of ice incessantly detach thom
Bolves, with the crash of thunder, from im
mense glaciers often more than fifty miles
in extent.
Suddenly, from the summit of a painfully
climbed iceberg, Yogor saw, hidden, buried
behind ononnous icy masses, a stout ribbed
ship, motionless and enclosed in a field of
Ico. Ho uttered a cry of surprlso and point
ed out his diseovory to M, Lafleur, who at
that momont rejoined him.
Upon the frozen and groenish white sea,
whore tho whitonoss of the snow imitated
the foam of tho waves, tho black carcass of
the ship stood out darkly, with whito net
work spread by tho snow over ull tho parts
in relief, as if to bring out tho hues of morn
ing. But the dock, the musts, the yards
and the cordago, covered with beautiful
star-shaped snow crystals, which shone
with a thousand lustres in the sun, drove
away this first impression, substituting for
it tho comparison of a gigantic gewgaw of
spun glass.
Tho first movement of Yegor and M. Laf
leur was to retreat down tho side of tho ice
berg, which would liido thorn, and from
whence they could observe whether they
hail to deal with friends or enemies. The
ship bore neither sails nor flag; tho thick,
square shapo of its ribs was that of the fish
ing vessols which face the dangers of tho
navigation of the polar soas. The dogs
barked. They silenced them.
After half a minute’s attention, M. I.af
leur saw moving on board a creature en
veloped in an animal’s skin; perhups, tho
lookout of tho ship hod seen and was watch
ing them.
“We are observed 1” said M. Lafleur.
“Walt a little, my friend,” answered
Yegor, wuo saw uio aogs witn their hair
standing on end; and with the words, aim
ing his gun, he tired at the so-called look
out.
“What are you doing!” cried M. Lafleur,
alarmed.
“I was sure that It was not a man!” said
Yegor, with a laugh. “Let go the dogs!”
A huge white bear shook itself upon the
leek, perplexed by the hiss of the ball about
its ears.
“It is a boar!” cried tlio Parisian, “and
tho first we have mot to-day.”
The two dogs were already running around
tho ship, barking furiously, but keeping at
» prudent distunce.
“But the ship!" said Yegor, with some
jonstraint. “It is, perhaps, the phantom
ship of the legends.”
“Those logends aro laughod at on tho j
banks of tho Seine,” observed tho Paris- j
ian. “For us, this enormous bulk of wood '
s nothing else, to all appoaranees, than tho j
len of a bear—some ship abandoned by its j
:rew.” I
“Very likely,” said Yegor, "and in that
'ar.e we will, perhaps, find in it supplies thnt
vill enable us to dispense with pursuing our |
mprofitable hunt.” I
“As to tho boar,” said M. Lafleur, "it is I
ipon a territory to which we have a much j
letter right.”
“Tho least we can do is to dislodge it,”
laid Yegor.
The boar had disappeared. It had, with
>ut doubt, taken refuge in the between- |
leeks. j
Tho two hunters glided to the base of tho |
eeberg, and approached the vessel without |
urther delay. Yegor quickly recognized it |
is a Dutch whaler. I
noon they reached the round sides of the
ihip. They hailed—no one answered.
“Evidently there is not a living soul on
>oard j” Sbid Yegor,
“Otherwise, wo would have to believe
hat the bear was tame I” observed M. Laf
eur.
They climbod upon the deck, leaving their
logs on tho ice. and thero a horrible speota
;le presented itseif to their gaze.
Fivo men—five skeletons clad in sailor’s
garments—were stretched upon the dock,
imid objects and wrecks of all sorts.
“Poor fellows 1” cried Yegor.
In their horror, they forgot tho bear.
Nevertheless, tho sound of steps was heard
lelow. |
“Attention!” cried M. Laflcur. “That !
nust bo tho bear!” :
Tho dogs continued to bark as if to keep |
hem on tho lookout. ,
At this moment tho white head of a bear j
ippeared at one of tho hatchways, with its |
tainted muzzle, its open and menacing mouth
nd its ferocious looking red eyes. I
Yegor, without loss of time, lodge a ball !
n tho animal’s neck. Mortally wounded, j
t bounded with rage towards its assailant, j
tl. Laflcur fired in his turn; but ho hit the j
tear on the car, and the creature paid no i
ittention to such a trifle.
Yegor, on seeing it advance towards him, j
indeavored to snatch a hatchet that lay
vithin roach of his hand; he seized it. but
he hatchet was soldered to tho deck bv I
he ice and resisted every effort to loos
:n it. All would have been over with ;
fegor. if the Parisian, quickly springing j
orward, the butt of his gun in the air, had ;
lot dealt upon the animal's bead so terriblo
( blow that the weupon broke. The animal, 1
i little disconcerted only, was hesitating
ictwoen M. Laileur and Yegor, when the
attex-, who had succeeded in disengaging ,
he hatchet, lifted it as high as he could i
■each, and, bringing it down with all his j
trength, broke the skull of tho terrible 1
(east. When he saw it stretched on tho
leek, he finished it with two or three well ;
lirectod blows. Little did he care about |
nangling the fur.
“All honor to you!” cried M. Lafleur. “At
ast we will have a roast!” j
“Oh 1 never for our table I” exclaimed !
fegor, with a look of disgust. And he called
ds companion's attention to the fact that!
he bones of the corpses, especially the
iknlls, had been gnawed by bears.
“But," said M. Lafleur, “was the bear we
lave killed the one we mistook tor a look
(utt We had better be careful, for the
Logs continue to bark 1”
The Parisian was right, for scarcely had
he finished speaking when another bear, an
enormous one—it wns the fmualo~rose up
i menacingly from behind a pile of boxes that
tiio snow had converted into a slope.
"Attention 1" cried Yegor.
Yegor lifted Ids hatchet, M. Laflcur,
drawing back a few steps, unshoathod his
huge huntlug-ltnifo. But tho bear, uaton
lshed at this reception and those dufeusivo
preparations, made a half turn and run
away, growling, prudontly looking bohlnd
it to assure itself thut it was not too closely
pursued.
Tho hunters allowed it without opposition
to slide down t ie side of tho ship, pursued
by tho barking of tho dogs, which thoy strove
to restrain by roitoratod calls, uud when
they saw it run over tho hummocks to
wards tho lco hills, they experienced great
rolief,
"Decidedly," observed M. Laflcur, "this
kind of a hunt is too exciting for my tem
perament. If wo only find here some boxes
of biscuit, they will be of grout holp to us
during the winter."
"But suppose the bears have dovourod
everything?” said Yegor.
M. Laflcur inudo a grimace.
"Wo shall soon know about that,” said he.
They wortt to the hatchway and descended
to tho botween-decks. A spectacle more
horrible still than thuton dock awaited them
thcro—the bones and skulls of ten corpses
transformed this place into a veritable char
nel-house.
"Why were not the first who died burled
by the others?” askod Yegor of M. Laflcur.
"Because, my friend," replied tho latter,
“tho ontiro crew must have boon stricken
with that torrlblo disease kuown as tho
scurvy. Thoso who hnvo it are attacked by
an intolerable stlffnoss of tho logs; thoy
limp; they can neither sloop nor even rest;
thoy lose <xll appetite, and their Inflamed
gums are extremely painful, whilo a general
weakness of tho body promptly comes on—
it is the Indication of approaching disso
lution. Tho death of those brave mariners
must have occurred last winter. But what
If, in this botween-doeks which is carefully
stopped up and in which tho air has not
been renewed, wo ourselves should take the
scurvy?”
“It is easily taken, then?"
"Yos; but always under liko conditions."
"Such is, happily, not tho caso with us.
Let us have some air and go straight to tho
provisions.”
With his hatchet which ho still retained
possession of, Yegor cut the ropos which
closed tho scuttlos. Air and light penetrat
ed into tho between docks.
"Wo Inherit everything,” sold M. Luflour.
"On one condition.”
"What is thatl”
"That wo give sopulturo to tho remains of
these unfortunates."
"Agrood. But look—thoy possessed an
organ.”
mi. whs, witnoui aouot. to auriugo tno
wcuriness of tho long winter."
Bosido tho stove, in company with tho
coal-box, a hand-organ stood upon a low ta
ble. M. Lnllour turned tho hundlo, and,
by a sort of poignant irony, tho instrument
gave vent to some struins of a gay dance
air.
Then, Yegor and M. Labour, affected in
tho highest degree by tho contrast of this
lively music with tho hoart-rouding pic
ture before thorn, felt tears coma into their
eyes.
On tho organ was a largo book.
Yogor glanced at it—it was a Dutch Bible.
Upon tho margins of the book could be road,
trucod by tho failing hand of the captain,
tho names of tho first suilors who died, fol
lowed by somo sad reflections. Yogor, who,
know English and German, undorstood
enough of tho Dutch language to obtain
from this roeord tho explanation of this
tragedy of the polar sous. Tho whaler had
been surprised by the ico at tho Island of
Barents, belonging to tho Spitsbergen group.
M. Lai tour had not been wrong in consider
ing the scurvy tho active cause of th’o death
of all the crew.
The namo of the captain flgurod a little
further on in those lububrious pages. His
second in command hod taken up the pen
and hud passod it, in his turn, to a survivor.
The last marginal note read thus:
“But four of us are left: Molis Stoko, of
Haurlem, sailor; Dijrk Hooft, called tho
Sprekor, of Medcnbllk, sailor; Heymann
Jaarsvcldt, of Elburg, our ship-boy, and
myself, Alberdingk Huijdecoper, of Rotter
dam, chief cook. Wo have no longer the
strength to assist each other. Something
horrible may possibly happen—what if the I
white bears which are prowling around tho I
shin uhitlllil pilmn mi tinnml mill dnt.nn- na I
alive?”
“I'oor men I” thought Yegor, as he closed
the Biblo. "That is probably what took
placo!”
Already M, Lufleur was searching every
where. From time to timo, while Yegor was
running over the margins of the Bible, he
cried:
“Lard! — biscuit! — rum! — concentrated
milk!—fifty boxes of it! Tho preserved
meat has been oaten by the boars! Twenty
pots of pemmican!—sugar! Oh!—flour!—
bottles of red wine and a box of candles—
intact! More biscuit I—a cask full I A pack
age of vermicelli! Chocolate! — twenty
pounds at least! But what havoc! The
foxes have aided tho bears! Greon beans in
boxes! Sardines in oil!”
“Well, my dear friend,” said Yegor to
him, “let us tvmdlo up some of those things
and carry them away. We will carefully
close the scuttles.”
“What if we should not find the whaler
again?"
“Oh? tho sea Is as solid as a rock. But
let us load ourselves with as much as our
strength will permit.”
“I see some mutches.”
“Take them. They will replace those
stolen from us the other day by tho Teh
ouktehis.”
“There is some charcoal!”
“Wo can do without that. Givo preference
to those articles which will restore tho
strength of Nadege and her brother.”
Two hours afterwards, Yegor and the
Parisian, bending beneath their loads, were
bearing to the hut the fli-st installment of
what they had found. M. Laflcur had
wished to take the organ, claiming that a
little music would cheer the party up; Lad
islas would turn tho handle and ho would
accompany- him on his pocket violin. Yegor
had some trouble to dissuade him from it;
as to himself, he bore away tho Bible.
They reached tho hut, enjoying in ad
vance tho happiness they were about to
cause.
“We shall see,” observed M. Laflour, “if
Yermac will turn up his nose at tho milk
and sugar, tho sardines in oil and the saltod
lard!”
The two dogs preceded them.
Yegor was surprised at not seeing Wab
oome to meet him. A presentiment of evil
stole upon him. He laid all he was carrying
on the ice and ran towards the hut, calling
Nadege and Ladislas.
At last, he entered the hut. It was emp
ty. Nadege, Ladislas, and Yermac were
nowhere to be seen. The fire had long since
j
lied out. Marks of • struggle were erer J*
where.
M. Laflour rejoined him. Ho found hiss
In dismay.
"What does all this meant”
“I do not know—I ennnot understand 11
My reason totters—and I fool os If I were
going to die 1"
“Whoro could they hnvo gono!"
“I cannot lmnglno; but I am convinced
that a terrible misfortune has happened!
I-ook, Monsieur Laflour—tho table is over*
turned, tho furs are sundered and soiled,
nn<l thoro are ashes as far aa tho door. They
havo taken one of our guns.”
"Anil also my harpoon,” said tho Parisian.
"Could Yormao havo made a stroke In his
peculiar fashion?"
"Wlmt stroke could he have mndol" ask*
sd Yegor, dreading to hear his friend's re
ply.
"Carry oft Nadogo and the ohlld," an*
sworod he, "to force us to rotraco our steps,
to deliver ourselves up to him whon ha
should be backed by some force or other,"
“Oh! that would be odious 1" crlod Yogor.
"What shall wo dot Shall wo set out. In
pursuit of them without loss of timet But
I am annihilated, incapable of walking a
stop. Lot us examine tho trucks on the
snow."
Thoy lighted their lantorn, for night had
Dome on, and wont out.
Tho snow was trodden all around tba
but The footprints lod to a mound, be
hind which It was ousy to sou that a sledge
drawn by sovoral rolndoor had boon sta
tioned. From thence thoy could follow over
tho hardonod snow tho direction takon by
the sledge.
"A nartut” cried Yogor—"and wo can
only pursue thorn on foot 1 We shall never
Dvertako them 1 Oh 1 what a day I and this
Yormao— I”
“I begin to think that he must have had a
bund in tills buslnoss,’'suid M, Laflour.
“if ho wore not its author, he would be
hero—he would havo dofended Nadoge
and tho ohild. In his place, I would have
fought for thorn whllo I had llfol It must
have been Yormao. Ho has taken advan
tage of some circumstance, of Bomoohance."
"But,” said tho I’urlHlhn, suddenly, "the
stodge lias not gono towurds tho Russian
possessions."
“You aro right," answorod Yogor, aston
ished that ho himself had not noticed this
fact.
“At this advanced hour and fatigued as we
aro, It would bo difficult for us to set out.
Believe mo, Yogor, it Is hotter for us to wait
until to-morrow. In tho meanwhile, per
haps, wo mny bo enlightened by some re
vealing Indication. Como In, my friend;
after our futigue and our emotions, tho fold
will solso upon us—come."
/
■J
'{jl
Yegor allowed himself to bo drawn alonfe
by his friend, without making tho least re
sistance.
CIIAPTKII XXX.— WAII’S INTF.l.l.IOENOX.
What a sad evening that was, puased at
tho corner of tho firo, whllo tho winter wind
blow violently without. ' '
Yegor and M. Lafleur looked at each oth»
er. wit limit daring to exchange tholr pain*
ful reflections. Thoy had Joyously brought ,
nil Borts of provisions, but thoy touched
nothing.
“Even the dog," murmured Yegor, “oven
the dog—all gone! It is inexplicable' Wab
would never willingly have followed Yer
mac. What are wo to think! What must
we decide upon !”
At this moment thoy heard a barking out*
rf-doors. -
“It is the Siberian dogs,” said M. Lafleur.
Yegor listened attentively.
“No; it is Wab,” said he, rising; “but the
snlmul Is worried by something—porhapa
wounded.”
And ho openod the door of the hut.
It was, indeed, Wab. The creature bound*
’d In and laid at its master's feet the little
silk embroidered reindeer skin bag which
the Tchouktchis bad stolen from them a few ;;f
lays before.
“Look!” cried Yegor. “Those beggan
who camo hero have had something to do
with our misfortune. Wab has brought
lack tho bag they robbod us of. Tho ani
mal must have followed Nadoge to their
village."
Wab leaped upon Yegor, licking his hands
tnd uttering little cries of Joy. The young , ■
man caressed tho animal with a tenderness
lustiflod by tho fidelity and Intelligence It
sud displayed. ' "
“Wo noticed,” said M. Lafleur, “that tho
rehouktehis, who camo from tho oast, re
traced thoir steps instead of going towards
i no wost as was very probably at first their
intention. The tracks of the slodgo also go
to the oast. Evidently, Wab has returned
from thoir hut, w!.ich signifies that their
village is not far distant from here. But
what role must wo assign to the chief of
police in all this!”
“That is a very difficult matter to deter
mine I” answered Yegor..
“At least wo possess some indications,”
laid the Parisian. “I now recall tho strange
fashion in which the native starod at Nad*
2go, while spoaking to his wifu of his kama*
kuy.”
“You have hit it. my excellent friend 1”
2ried Yegor. “This chief of their tribe has
Mine hone in consequence of the report of
Lhe two natives. Oh! my poor Nadcgol In
what affliction sho must bo 1 But the chief
of police?”
“Wc always como back to him!” exclaim
sd the Parisian. ■>
Tho latter had scarcely ceased speaking,
when a faint voice uttored his namo.
“Who calls me?” asked he, growing slight*
ly pale.
“Monsieur Lafieur!” again repeated the
voice.
The two watchers raised their heads.
This name had fallen from above, through
the aperture made in the roof for the escape
if tho smoke.
“Well 1 hero is the chief of police!” cried
Yegor.
“Open the door!” again said tho voice.
“You think it is ho, do you?” demanded
11. Eafleur, a trifle reassured. “I will ad
mit him then. Those skeletons, those bones,
which wo saw to-day, together with the
strange surprise which awaited us on our
return, have completely upset me.”
An instant afterwards, Yermao entered
the hut behind M. Lafleu*
“Can one ask where you have been!” said
M. Laflour to him, roughly. “Certainly,
we have not been in tho habit of troubling
1'ou about your movements; but things
rave happenod here which make us desire
jo kuow why you return at this hour of the
light-*.”
“To what things do you allude?” asked
the chief of police, who now perceived the
lisorder of the hut and Yegor’s dejection
ind divined the absence of Nadego and hex
irother. “Has some misfortuno occurred?”
idded he, questioning instead of replying.
‘Nadege ?—Ladislas!”
“Gone!” said Yegor.
“Upon the sea, as was the case j^e other
lay?—or lost along the coast?”
'‘Abducted!”said M. Laflcur. “When wo
irrived, everything here was in extreme
lisorder.”
in n ooimaum.1
