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SOME OF THE MARTYRS.
39

Kapustinski, and Ivan Kulmenko; there are the Great Russians Grigori Morozov, Pavl Adnolka, and Ivan Dovgan—these and hundreds of others. Most of these people have been sent to the Caucasus for a period of six years. Previous to their departure from Russia they have already spent from eight to eighteen months in gaol. They are all sent per étape to their destination. They walk with ordinary criminals, in chains, with shaven heads, and clad in the ordinary prison costume.

Preacher Kapustinski, a most truthful and absolutely reliable man, wrote to a friend of ours describing his journey from the western province of Kief, where he had been arrested, to this remote Caucasian place of exile. There was little to note until he reached Vladikavkaz, a little town lying north of the Caucasus. Here the prisoners left the train to tramp across the mountains, 140 miles to Tiflis. The brutality, exactions and filthy language of their military guards were abominable. Arriving, once, at a station among the mountains, the prisoners entreated the soldiers to buy some necessary articles for them. The money was taken, but no return was made for it; and one of the prisoners, who was foolish enough to display a three-rouble note, was so beaten and ill-treated that his life was a burden to him until he had parted with nearly all his money in bribes. Kapustinski's gang was pushed and hustled, made to carry the soldiers' baggage, thrust at with bayonets if they resisted or remonstrated, and one unfortunate wretch had his head broken. At night the horrors were still more disgraceful, for the wives were separated from their husbands, and subjected to the brutal attentions of the soldiers. In addition to the 140 miles between Vladikavkaz and Tiflis, this gang walked 80 miles from Yevlach and Shusha, and 60 miles from Shusha and Gerusi. Arrived at their destination, their case was most pitiable. No provision