The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-07-31

Ny faith. even Etienne Gerard was
little staggered at being left alone with
such creature in the dark
But only for moment Courage"
thought. Am ! not 4 hussar. a
brigadier. too. at the age of thirty one,
and the chosen messenger of the en-
peror?' After all, this slkulker lad
more cause to be afraid of me than of
him. And then suddenly understood
that he was afraid-horribly afraid.
could read it from his quick steps and
his bent shoulders. as he ran among
the barrels, like a rat making for its
hole. And Of course it must have been
he who had held the door against me,
and not some packing case or wine
cask. as | had imagined. He was the
pursued. then. and the pursuer. Aha,
I felt my whiskers bristle as advanced
upon him through the darkness! He
would find that he had no chicken to-
deal with, this robber from the north.
For the moment was magnificent.
At first had feared to light my can
die, lest should make mark of my
self. but now, after cracking my shin
over a box and hing my spurs in
some canvas, I thought the bolder
course the wiser. I lit it, therefore,
and then advanced with long strides,
my sword in my hand. Come out, you
rascal" ] cried. Nothing can save
you. You will at last meet with your
deserts
held lz1y candle high, and presently
+ caught a glimpse of the mans head,
staring at gSa over barrel He had
gold chevr6h on his black cap, and the
expression of his face told me in an in
slant that he was an officer and man
of refinement
Monsieur" he cried, in excellent
French, 81 surrender myself upon the
promise of quarter. But if 4 do not
have your promise will them sell MY
life as dearly as can"
|. Sir" said T. ~ French1nHn knows
how to treat an unfortunate. enemy
Your life is safe With that de handed
the sword over the top of the barrel
and I bowed with the candle upon my
heart "Nhom have ] the hoHoring ct
capturing?" Il asked
al am the Count Boutkins;, of thu
srnperor's own Don COssacks,"' said he.
'-Ucame out with my troop DO recon
noitre SenliS,- and as we found no sign
of your people, we determined, TO spend
tie night here"
And wouiH it be an indisczetion," L
asked. '1f L we're TO inquire low you
came into the back ceIlar?"
Nothing more simple, Saddle "It
WIS our intention to start at early
dawn. Feeling chilled after DRESSING,
thought that cup of wine would do
me- no HARM. so ! came down to see,
what Icould find As was rummaging
about, the house was suddenly carried
by assault so,rapidIy that by the time
had climbedithe stairs it was all over
It only remained for me TO save myself,
so came down here and hid myself in
the back cellar where you have found
me-"
| thought of how old BOuvet had be-
haved under the same conditions, -andi
the tears sprang to my eyes as L con-
templated the glory of France. Them
had to consider what 1 should do
next 1t was clear that this Russian
count, being in the back cellar, while
we were in the front one, had not heard.
| the sounds which would hare told him
that the house was once again in the.
| hands of his own allies. II. he should
once understand this the tables would
be turned, and should be his prisoner
instead of he being mine. What was l
| to do? 1 was at my wits end, when
suddenly there came to me an idea, so.
| brilliant that could not but be amazed
at my own invention.
Count Boutkine," said 1, Il find. my
self in a most difficult position"
'Nhy?" he asked.
Because have promised you your
life"
His jaw dropped a little. "You
would not withdraw your proniseP"
he cried.
IF the worst comes,to the worst, L
can die in your defense" said Z, but
the difficulties are great"
What is it, then?" he asked.
81 viii be frank with you,'~ said l.
"You must know that our fellows, and
| especially the Poles, are so incensed
against the Cossacks that the mere fact
of the uniform drives them mad! They
precipitate themselves instantly upon
the wearer, and tear him limb from
limb. Even their officers cannot re-
strain them"
The Russian grew pale at my words
and the way in which 1 said them.
But this is terrible." said he.
'eHorribler' said l. IF we were to
go up togetherat this moment Icannot
promise how far could protect you"
II. am in your hands," he cried.
'SWhat would you suggest that we
should do? Would it not be best that
should remain here?"
THAT worst of all"
"And why?"
Because our fellows wiz ransack
the house presently, and then you
would be cut to pieces. No. no, must
go up and break it to them But even
then, when once they see that accursed
uniform, do not know what may hap
PEN"
SHOULD 1 then take the uniform