AN UNHEARD-OF ESCAPE.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2502, 6 September 1890, Page 7

AN UNHEARD-OF ESCAPE.

(NEW YORK HE BARD.) The recent outrage by the Siberian officials in flogging two women brings to mind an episode of the daring escape of a Siberian exile at Moscow, as told me by an Englishman, apropos of his residence in that city for some two years. “ The exile,” said he, “ was the leader of a band of Nihilists noted for their daring. He had many aliases, but wsis generally known as Petrov ski. Physically ho was one of the most perfect men I ever saw. He was of dark complexion, stood over six feet high, and was built in proportion. It seems that he and part of his band had been captured in connection with some plot the authorities had. unearthed and had been sentenced to life servitude in the mines of Karo. Knowing only too well what this meant, the men ha-d become as desperate as caged lions by the time they reached Moscow, and were willing to take any chances to effect their escape. “ If I remember correctly there were about a thousand prisoners in this cavalcade, and they were guarded by a regiment of St. Petersburg soldiers. Unlike the other prisoners, Petrovski and bis party were handcuffed to each other. They were under a double guard, as it was known that they would make an attempt at escape should the opportunity offer. No chance offered, however, until the day of starting for the mines arrived. The soldiers who were guarding the party appeared to be rather under the influence of liquor, and were not so vigilant as usual. I stood on the stoop of a small inn within ten feet of Petrovski, aud from the expression of his face I knew something was in the wind. The officer who had charge of this part of the prisoners, who was noted for his brutality, had mounted hi? horse and stood near the party. The guards had walked off some distance and were conversing together. I saw Petrovski working at liis handcuff, and then I saw him draw a common dinner knife from his jacket.

“ The movement © <nol attract attention, and he then turned slightly, so that his baek was toward the officer. Then I saw that he was going to attempt one of the most desperate escapes ever heard ©f. The man was certainly amputating his thumb with the table knifo, bo as to allow the handcuff to slip over his hand ! Ho worked at it, never flinching, until the thumb dropped at his feet. The blood was flowing from the wound in a stream, but he tied it up with a rag after drawing the skin over the wound, and had slipped the handcuff off. His companion was aware of his movements, but stood like a statue. Tbo suppressed excitement I was suffering from, together with the daring bravery that I was witnessing, almost made me faint. I saw that the dare-devil was as pale as a sheet, but without the slightest sign of fear. ‘‘He stood for a moment irresolute, and then began ji slow side movement toward the mounted officer. When within a. few feet he turned with the fury of a tiger and, seizing the officer, dragged him from the horse. “Before the guards could recover their senses he had mounted the horse and started off at a run down the street. A fuailaclc of shots followed him but he escaped them all. His friends aided him, and he eventually made his way to Paris, where ho still lives, with his wife and family, but minus his right thumb.”