RUSSIAN HORRORS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2620, 13 February 1894, Page 3

RUSSIAN HORRORS.

A Home contemporary recently predicted that Saghaliu would soon be a name familiar to the world The climate accordeing to authentic writers, is more severe than any part of Siberia, the island is known among the Siberians as the “ Hell of Saghaliu ” an expression which says volumes in the mouth of the expatriated Russian who knows the terrors of the far East. Up to the present time only the criminals with the worst records have been sent to Saghaliu. From no place do so many try to escape —but few have ever runaways are known as “ Brodjagan. Despite the account of terrible suitering and hardship brought back by unsuccessful fugitives, the Sagha'in “ Brodjagan ” increase in numbers every year, The hardships of Siberian fugitives are described as mild in comparison. Surrounded by the ocean, with the nearest 1 u)d hundred of miles distant, escape from the place is almost impossible. But despite all this, the unfortunate men are willing to risk quick death iu the waves rather than the terrors of the island. As a rule, the “Brodjagan” try io escape in bands, numbering from three to ton. Those who try to got away in the summer, as a rule, take up their “ abode ” in the Ta iga, an almost impenetrable forest. As long as their clothing and provisions last they are comparatively happy there, despite their trials, but when the clothing is torn to shreds, I when the provisions are and when

hunger and the bites of poisonous insects have weakened the poor fugitives they soon die. A few reach the coast, where moat of them are recaptured and taken back to the places of torment and torture. Those who choose the winter for flight fare probably the worst of all. In December the channel is frozen and this fact lures many to destruction. They travel only by night, concealing themselves in deep ice holes in the daytime, in a temperature which cannot be described. But words fail to picture the terror and misery and Buffering of these unfortunate Russsian fugitives.