Part 24 (1/2)

”There's a Russian out here, Mr. Petrofsky,” said Tom, ”and what he wants I can't make out.”

The exile was quickly on the scene and, after a first glance at the man, hurried up to him, grasped him by the hand and at once the two were talking such a torrent of hard-sounding words that Tom and Ned looked at each other helplessly, while Mr. Damon, who had come out, exclaimed:

”Bless my dictionary! they must know each other.”

For several minutes the two Russians kept up their rapid-fire talk and then Mr. Petrofsky, evidently realizing that his friends must wonder at it, turned to them and said:

”This is a very strange thing. This man is an escaped convict, as I once was. I recognized him by certain signs as soon as I saw him, though I had never met him before. There are certain marks by which a Siberian exile can never be forgotten,” he added significantly. ”He made his escape from the mines some time ago, and has suffered great hards.h.i.+ps since. The revolutionists help him when they can, but he has to keep in concealment and travels from town to town as best he may. He has heard of our airs.h.i.+p, I suppose from inquiries the revolutionists have been making in our behalf, and when he unexpectedly came upon us just now he was not frightened, as an ordinary peasant would have been.

But he did not know I was aboard.”

”And does he know you?” asked Tom. ”Does he know you are trying to rescue your brother?”

”No, but I will tell him.”

There was another exchange of the Russian language, and it seemed to have a surprising result. For, no sooner had Ivan Petrofsky mentioned his brother, than the other, whose name was Alexis Borious seemed greatly excited. Mr. Petrofsky was equally so at the reply his new acquaintance made, and fairly shouted to Tom, Ned and Mr. Damon.

”Friends, I have unexpected good news! It is well that we met this man or we would have gone many miles out of our way. My brother has been moved to another mine since the revolutionists located him for me. He is in a lonely district many miles from here. This man was in the same mine with him, until my brother was transferred, and then Mr. Borious escaped. We will have to change our plans.”

”And where are we to head for now?” asked Tom.

”Near to the town of Haskaski, where my poor brother is working in a sulphur mine!”

”Then let's get a move on!” cried Tom with enthusiasm. ”Do you think this man will come with us, Mr. Petrofsky, to help in the rescue, and show us the place?”

”He says he will,” translated the exile, ”though he is much afraid of our strange craft. Still he knows that to trust himself to it is better than being captured, and sent back to the mines to starve to death!”

”Good!” cried Tom. ”And if he wants to, and all goes well, we'll take him out of Russia with us. Now get busy, Ned, and we'll have this machine in shape again soon.”

While Ivan Petrofsky took his new friend inside, and explained to him about the workings of the Falcon, Tom and Ned labored over the gas machine with such good effect that by night it was capable of being used. Then they went aloft, and making a change in their route, as suggested by Mr. Borious, they headed for the desolate sulphur region.

For several days they sailed on, and gradually a plan of rescue was worked out. According to the information of the newcomer, the best way to save Mr. Petrofsky's brother was to make the attempt when the prisoners were marched back from the mines to the barracks where they were confined.

”It will be dark then,” said Mr. Borious, ”and if you can hover in your airs.h.i.+p near at hand, and if Mr. Petrofsky can call out to his brother to run to him, we can take him up with us and get away before the guards know what we are doing.”

”But aren't the prisoners chained?” asked Tom.

”No, they depend on guards to prevent escapes.”

”Then we'll try that way,” decided the young inventor.

On and on they sailed, the Falcon working admirably. Verst after verst was covered, and finally, one morning, Mr. Borious, who knew the country well, from having once been a prisoner there, said:

”We are now near the place. If we go any closer we may be observed. We had better remain hidden in some grove of trees so that at nightfall we can go forth to the rescue.”

”But how can we find it after dark?” asked Ned.

”You can easily tell by the lights in the barracks,” was the answer. ”I can stand in the pilot house to direct you, for nearly all these exile prisons are alike. The prisoners will march in a long line from the mine. Then for the rescue.”

It was tedious waiting that day, but it had to be done, and to Tom, who was anxious to effect the rescue, and proceed to the place of the winds to try his air glider, it seemed as if dusk would never come as they remained in concealment.