The Dillon tribune., 1883-08-11
A Romance Of O'Donovau n Central
Asia.

Asia.
When tie Russians under General
Skobeleff started on their expedition
against the Turkomans at Geek Tepe.
ODonovan, Of the London Daily Nesvs.
applied for permission to accompany
them, but was refused. Upon receiving
General Skobeleff's final answer, the de-
termined correspondent telegraphed his
thanks for the courteous wording of the
refue /, and finished his message with
the significant words, "Au revoir.
General, Merv." "Till We meet
again, General, at Merv."
O'Donovan then started upon his Jour-
ney. He reached the northwestern
boundary Of Persia, and succeeded in
safely crossing the frontier, riding 100
miles in twenty.four hours. Luck, in
edition to his native shrewdness, "a
vored him, and he reached Merv in
safety, though . prisoner, and suspected
Of being . Russian. Az best he could
he informed his captoFs Of his English
nationality, and his Wit and manners 20
pleased the Turkomans that he was kept
In . sort OF honorable confinement until
his statement could. be confirmed. Sat-
isfactory information concerning him
was ct Last received from Teherar, and
he was released.
ODonovan's wonderful stores If in
formation, and his statements concern.
ing the almost boundless extent of the
English Empire, caused the Turkomans
to look upon him - man Of much i'm
portance, and he was called upon to set
tie long-standing dispute as to the chief
executive power. There are two proper
holders Of that power-the Sheik Of the
Eastern Turkomans and the Sheik OF the
Western Turkomans. It appears that il
was necessary for the highest dignitery
Or dignitaries Of the Turkomans to nm.
dertake perilous mission 70 Teheran.
1t was considered probable that whoever
went would lose his head, and to avoid
this risk the two chiaftains conferred the
h0nor upon the eldest Of their class.
Much to their surprise, he returned
alive, and was allowed to retain his dig.
nifty until the arrival Of O'Donovan,
whose abundance Of wealth, il il sup
posed. induced the Eastern and Western
chiefs to determine TO reassert their
claims, lest he whom they had elevated
to the highest position should monopo.
lie the gifts Of the illustrious foreigner.
A great council was held, the old chief
deposed, the two restored to their oriai.
nal positions, and O'Donovan elected
Jchtiar Bahadoor Khan of the Toxic
Turkomans, and joined the other two
chiefs in forming . triumvirate. rulina
over the district Of Merv, with . populs-
ton Of 500, 900 souls.
O'Donovan was installed In his hon.
t'able position with imposing ceromo.
II ca, aud given . "palace," for that re-.
ION, to live in. His official duties while
abiding in Merv consisted mainly in din.
ensing justice, chiefly In cases Of muir.
Ger and robbery, they being the only
After six months O'Donovan wesried
of his life at Merv, and wishing 10 re.
turn to civilization, expressed . de.
sire to be sent - ambassador plenipo.
ntiary Of the Tekke Tnrkomans to
the European courts. A great council
MAS held to consider the subject, O'Don.
ovan having arrived at Merv Just at the
moment the onward march of the Rus.
slams had been arrested, and the Turko.
mans associating that evont with his an.
p arance, looked upon him - their de.
liverer, and his presence ~ . sure pro.
lection az inst their hereditary enemies.
For this reason they were unwilling TO
part with him, but ct last consented on
the promise that he would one day re.
turn to them. He replied, IT will re.
turn when I am sent back to you." II
requires more than . surgical operation
to enable the Turkomans to see through
joke, and the humor Of O'Donovan's
answer not being appreciated, he was
p rmitted to depart, and was accompan.
ii to the Persian frontier by body Of
Iurkoman troops. Cincinnati CONNER.
ciuI.