The Boy Scouts In Russia

Boy Scouts In Russia, The

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Title: The Boy Scouts In Russia
Author: Blaine John
Illustrator: E. A. Furman
Release Date: August 18, 2005 [EBook #16544]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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SCOUTS IN RUSSIA ***

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THE BOY SCOUTS IN RUSSIA
by CAPTAIN JOHN BLAINE

Illustrated by E.A. FURMAN
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY
Chicago AKRON, OHIO New York
Copyright, 1916 by Saalfield Publishing Company
[Illustration: "Go! Hurry! Get this coat and helmet off me!"]

CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I The Border 11
II Under Arrest 25
III A Strange Meeting 37
IV Cousins 49
V The Germans 61
VI The Tunnel 73
VII A Daring Ruse 85
VIII Within the Enemy's Lines 99
IX "There's Many a Slip--" 111
X Sentenced 125
XI The Cossacks 137
XII The Trick 151

XIII The Escape 165
XIV Altered Plans 179
XV A Dash Through the Night 193
XVI Between the Grindstones 205
XVII An Old Enemy 217
XVIII The Great White Czar 229

In Russian Trenches
CHAPTER I
THE BORDER
A train had just come to a stop in the border station of Virballen. Half
of the platform of that station is in Russia; half of it in East Prussia, the
easternmost province of the German empire. All trains that pass from
one country to the other stop there. There are customs men, soldiers,
policemen, Prussian and Russian, who form a gauntlet all travelers
must run. Here passports must be shown, trunks opened. Getting in or
out of Russia is not a simple business, even in the twentieth century.
All sorts of people can't come in while a good many who try to get out
are turned back, and may have to make a long journey to Siberia if they
cannot account for themselves properly.
This train had stopped in the dead of night. But, dark and late as it was,
there was the usual bustle and stir. Everyone had to wake up and
submit to the questioning of police and customs men. About the only
people who can escape such inquisition at Virballen or any other
Russian border station are royalties and ambassadors. Most of the
passengers, however, didn't have to come out on the platform. In this
case, indeed, only two descended. One of these was treated by the
police officials with marked respect. He was the sort of man to inspire

both respect and fear. Very tall, he was heavily bearded, but not so
heavily as to prevent the flashing of his teeth in a grim and unpleasant
smile. Nor were his eyes hidden as the rays of the station lights fell
upon them.
He was called "Excellency" by the policemen who spoke to him, but he
ignored these men, save for a short, quick nod with which he
acknowledged their respectful greetings. His whole attention was
devoted to the boy by his side, who was looking up at him defiantly.
This boy won a tribute of curious looks from all who saw him, and
some glances of admiration when it became increasingly plain that he
did not share the universal feeling of awe for the man by his side. This
was accounted for, partly at least, it might be supposed, by the fact that
he wasn't a Russian. The Americans in the train, had they been out on
the platform, would have recognized him at once for he was sturdily
and obviously American.
The train began to move. With a shrill shriek from the engine, and the
banging of doors, it glided out of the station. Soon its tail lights were
swinging out of sight. But the Russian and the American boy remained,
while the train, with its load of free and cheerful passengers, went on
toward Berlin.
"You wouldn't let me take the train. Well, what are you going to do
with me now?" asked the boy.
His tone was as defiant as his look and if he was afraid, he didn't show
it. He wasn't afraid, as a matter of fact. He was angry.
The Russian considered him for a moment, saying not a word. Then he
called in a low, hushed tone, and three or four policemen came running
up.
"You see this boy?" he asked.
"Yes, excellency."
"It has pleased His Majesty the Czar, acting through the administration

of the police of St.