But the Celt saw from the fellow’s action what he wanted, and that this was a rope to assist him to get ashore.

Now Barney had not one at hand, but he shouted:

“Howld an an’ I’ll get a rope. Shure, I’ll help ye!”

And away went the whole-souled Irishman back to the airship.

The raft was drifting very slowly so he had plenty of time.

But when he reached the Dart his first move was to sound the alarm. Very quickly all hands were on deck.

“What’s the matter?” asked Frank, who came up with his rifle in his hand.

“Shure, sor, there’s a poor divil out there on a raft as wants help!” cried Barney.

“On a raft?”

“Yis, sor.”

“Dear me!” exclaimed Professor Gaston. “Let us hasten to his relief!”

Frank Reade, Jr., was only half dressed, but he did not wait to complete his toilet. He went over the rail like a flash and with Barney rushed down to the river.

The Celt had brought a long rope with him. The raft had drifted nearer the shore.

Frank had a smattering of Russian among his varied accomplishments, and he shouted to the fellow:

“Who are you, and how came you here?”

“I am Nicolas Nafetodi, good sir,” was the reply. “Oh, give me food, but for the love of God do not take me back to that fearful prison!”

“Ah!” cried Frank. “Then you are a convict?”

“Sentenced to exile for a crime of which I am not guilty!” replied the poor fellow. “Have mercy upon me!”

“You are right we will!” cried Frank, who was well familiar with the peculiarities of Russian justice.

“Have courage, my friend!”

“Bejabers, hang on to the rope!”

Barney swung it aloft and sent it circling out into the river. It fell with accuracy across the raft.

The exile grasped it and in a few moments the raft was pulled to the shore. He staggered up the river bank.

Certainly he was an object of pity at that moment. Wretched, disheveled and pallid he looked a fit subject for a hospital.

The voyagers would have been heartless indeed to have refused him aid.

For aught they knew he might be a hardened criminal. But Frank Reade, Jr., took a good look at his face and decided vastly in his favor.

There were honest lines in it which he knew could not belie the owner’s nature.

So Nicolas Nafetodi was led to the airship and Pomp procured food for him.

He ate ravenously, and then being much refreshed told his story. It was indeed a pitiful one.

“My father,” he said, “was a well-to-do merchant in St. Petersburg. I was favored with plenty of money from an inheritance and formed the acquaintance of many wealthy youths of my own age.

“I will not make the story long, but suffice it to say that I had trouble with one who belong to the nobility.

“We loved Olga Nanarovitch, the daughter of Prince Nanarovitch. She favored my suit and from that hour Count Pietro Valdstedt was my sworn foe.

“In an unwary moment I was decoyed into the house of a Nihilist. Before I could take my departure the police descended upon the place and I was taken with the rest.

“I was thrown into prison. Valdstedt hired villains to swear to forged evidence against me. My trial was in secret, and I was not allowed the assistance of friends.

“I was banished for conspiracy against the Czar. It was the vilest wrong ever done any living man.

“But I had no redress. For eight long years I have been a slave at convict labor, with chains to bind me, and almost starvation as my reward.

“I have endured tortures until a month since I managed to escape.

“I made a raft and drifted down the Lena. I knew not—I cared not—where it took me so long as it was away from that hated prison.

“But even now I know that the hounds of the prison are after me. They have crossed the country to intercept me, and may be upon me at any moment. Before God I pray you, if you have not hearts of stone, do not give me up to them!

“I am innocent of the crimes charged against me as God in heaven knows! I beg of you to have mercy upon me!”

The fervid appeal reached the heart of every one of the voyagers.

Frank interpreted the story to them, and then taking the poor wretch’s hand, said:

“They shall never take you while we live. We believe your story and will aid you.”

The poor fellow burst into tears. He fairly embraced Frank in his joy.

“Surely there will be a reward for you up there,” he said, devoutly, pointing upward. “You will not be punished for helping the poor convict.”

Barney procured some decent clothes for the escaped exile.

Then Frank said:

“Now in what way can we best give you aid? What are your plans or desires?”

“I wish to get back to St. Petersburg,” replied Nicolas.

“But will you not fall again into the hands of the law?”

“Ah, but I will not be there an hour before I will have the necessary evidence to clear the stain from my name.”

“Do you believe that?”

“I know it.”

“Then, upon my word,” cried Frank, “I will take you back to St. Petersburg in my airship!”

The Russian exile looked surprised.

“How?” he asked.
............