. The Siberian exiles. A novel . SETTING!- OFT ON THE MARCH. 143 eaten nothing for nearly two days and was very hungryas you may believe. When he rifled the pockets of hisvictim, he found a cake and started to eat it, but threwit away instantly, as though it were poison, when hefound it contained meat. It was the time of the fastwhen all good Christians refused to touch flesh ; he wasa good Christian and kept the fast faithfully, though hehad no scruples at committing murder. Ive no doubt of it, replied Pushkin, and you canfind many people of this sort in all parts of the say their
. The Siberian exiles. A novel . SETTING!- OFT ON THE MARCH. 143 eaten nothing for nearly two days and was very hungryas you may believe. When he rifled the pockets of hisvictim, he found a cake and started to eat it, but threwit away instantly, as though it were poison, when hefound it contained meat. It was the time of the fastwhen all good Christians refused to touch flesh ; he wasa good Christian and kept the fast faithfully, though hehad no scruples at committing murder. Ive no doubt of it, replied Pushkin, and you canfind many people of this sort in all parts of the say their prayers and make the sign of the crossand then think they can do as they please. When theCzar goes to church and observes all its ceremonies Iwonder if he thinks of— A rifle shot rang out from the side of the column im-mediately behind them, and was followed by anotherand another. Men shouted and women screamed, andthe order: S^oy (Halt), brought the marching lineto a CHAPTER XIV. UNSUCCESSFU^L ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. The cause of the firing was quickly known. Twoprisoners, condemned to long terms of imprisonmentwith hard labor, had attempted to escape, by breakingsuddenly from their guards while passing near a pieceof forest. Pushkin had thought of trying the sameplan, but was deterred from it by Dubayeff, to whomhe proposed the attempt. Dont try it, said the other. The chances arevery much against success, too much for anybody whohasnt altogether abandoned hope. You are hamperedby your chains, which will prevent your running fast,,you know nothing of the country, the soldiers are quickwith their weapons, and even if j^ou manage to dodgethe firing of the convoy guards, you will be pursued bythe men on horseback. You have hundreds of milesbetween you and the boundary of Europe, and all thatdistance you will be hunted like a wild beast. Do youknow what the officers sometimes say to No, was the reply, what is it V [144] UNSUCCESSFUL A
Size: 2110px × 1185px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorknoxthomaswallace1835, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890
