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.I recognized him by certain signs as soon as I saw him, though I had never methim before.There are certain marks by which a Siberian exile can never beforgotten," he added significantly."He made his escape from the mines sometime ago, and has suffered great hardships since.The revolutionists help himwhen they can, but he has to keep in concealment and travels from town to townas best he may.He has heard of our airship, I suppose from inquiries therevolutionists have been making in our behalf, and when he unexpectedly cameupon us just now he was not frightened, as an ordinary peasant would havebeen.But he did not know I was aboard.""And does he know you?" asked Tom."Does he know you are trying to rescue yourbrother?""No, but I will tell him."There was another exchange of the Russian language, and it seemed to have asurprising 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 fairlyshouted toTom, Ned and Mr.Damon."Friends, I have unexpected good news! It is well that we met this man or wewould have gone many miles out of our way.My brother has been moved toanother mine since the revolutionists located him for me.He is in a lonelydistrict many miles from here.This man was in the same mine with him, untilmy brother was transferred, and then Mr.Borious escaped.We will have tochange 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 sulphurmine!""Then let's get a move on!" cried Tom with enthusiasm."Do you think this manwill come with us, Mr.Page 57ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlPetrofsky, to help in the rescue, and show us the place?""He says he will," translated the exile, "though he is much afraid of ourstrange craft.Still he knows that to trust himself to it is better than beingcaptured, 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 outof Russia with us.Now get busy, Ned, and we'll have this machine in shapeagain soon.While Ivan Petrofsky took his new friend inside, and explained to him aboutthe workings of the Falcon, Tom and Ned labored over the gas machine with suchgood 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 headedfor the desolate sulphur region.For several days they sailed on, and gradually a plan of rescue was workedout.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 marchedback from the mines to the barracks where they were confined."It will be dark then," said Mr.Borious, "and if you can hover in yourairship near at hand, and if Mr.Petrofsky can call out to his brother to run to him, we can take him up withus 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."Tom Swift And His Air GliderCHAPTER XXI.THE RESCUE66"Then we'll try that way," decided the young inventor.On and on they sailed, the Falcon working admirably.Verst after verst wascovered, 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 hadbetter remain hidden in some grove of trees so that at nightfall we can goforth 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 canstand in the pilot house to direct you, for nearly all these exile prisons arealike.The prisoners will march in a long line from the mine.Then for therescue."It was tedious waiting that day, but it had to be done, and to Tom, who wasanxious to effect the rescue, and proceed to the place of the winds to try hisair glider, it seemed as if dusk would never come as they remained inconcealment.But night finally approached and then the great airship went silently aloft,ready to hover over the prison ground.Fortunately there was little wind; andshe could be used as a balloon, thus avoiding the noise of the motor."The next thing I do, when I get home," remarked Tom, as they drifted along."Will be to make a silent airship.I think they would be very useful."With Mr.Borious in the pilot house, to point out the way, Tom steered throughthe fastgathering darkness.The Russian had soon become used to the airship, and was not at all afraid [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]