The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-12-20
CHAPTER VI.
BEFORE THE EMPEROR.

'Hold, my son." uttered the
monk, laying his hand upon the
young mans arm. "Surely you have
nothing to fear. 1t was none of
your work, no more than if you had
run your sword to the heart of
wild beast that had attacked you"
"But did not touch his heart"
quickly returned tie youth. 81 was
careful of that. | would have struck
MIN upon the head with the fiat Of
my sword, but | feared ! might
break his skull"
"He is not dead yet" answered
the surgeon as Ruric pressed for
ward and asked the question sec
end time. "FIe has only tainted
from the shock of the blow, coupled
with his own fears and passions"
''But will he die?" Ruric asked,
kneehng down by the fallen mans
side.
81 cannot yet tell,'' the doctor
said, at the same time wiping the
blood away, which was flowing free
y.
''But why not probe the wound
now" suggested the monk. "Now
is the best time, for the place is not
yet inAamcd, and while he is thus in
sensible he will be free from pain"
The surgeon at once saw the
truth and propriety Of this, and he
proceeded to act upon the sugges-
ton. Having selected a probe which
appeared applicable, he examined
the wound. Ruric watched him ca
gerly and with painful expression.
81 do not think this wound is
mortal" the surgeon reported as he
carefully felt his way along the
course the steel had taken. at has
passed below the right lung and on
ly severed some Of the smaller blood
vessels. | think, with proper care,
he may recover.
''Thank Godw fervently ejaculat-
ed Ruric, with his hands clasped.
''But why so anxious" asked Ur-
zen. 'EYou were ready enough to
accept his challenge"
"Aye, else you would have called
me coward" returned the gunmak-
er, with a flashing eve. clad | re-
fused to meet him that fatal word
would have met me at every turn. |
knew that such a man as he was no
cope for me at any game where
strength of arm and sleight of hand
were required SO meant to dis
arm him and then give him up his
life, believing that such a move
would end the combat. You know
how | labored to spare him. But |
could not. Yet | would not have the
life of a fellow being, a countryman
upon my hands in such a quarrel
Ny father died fighting for his coun-
try, and so would ! de if my death
must come from the hand of man
But to die thus would be a curse
upon my name, and to inhict such
death upon another would be a curse
in my memory"
81 believe you, my son." the monk
said. "Only if the count dies you
should not allow such feelings al
YOU mention to overcome you. II
no way are you to blame for this"
"True, father You speak truly
added the surgeon. "The youny
man has acted most nobly, and NJ
blame can be attached to him."
Ruric seemed somewhat relieved
by these assurances, and, havin!
seen the counts wound dressed ant
assisted in bearing the insensibl
form to the sledge, he took Alaric'
proffered arm and proceeded to hi
own team.
"Who is that monk ?" asked tn
lieutenant as they entered thei
sledge.
81 only know that he is GALE
Vladimir" returned Ruric. 81 hav
only seen him once before. Hav
you ever seen him ere this ?"
eyes; several times about our bal
racks. He has been there whe
some of our poor fellows have bee
sick and dying. lie seems to be
good hearted man and, l judg,
quite intelligent"
81 agree with You there" our her
said. 81 think he is a good man, bu
there is nevertheless a myster
sbont him which | cannot solv
His countenance Is familiar TO M
and vet cannot tell where nor whe
/ have seen him"
ave-" added Alaric quickly an
eagerly; "that is precisely the ca:
with me. am very sure that hay
seen that man under different eli
eumstances. And Others of our con
pany have thought the same"
The two men watched the NOV
ments of the monk while they thl
spoke, and they noticed that he el
tered his sledge and drove of {
ward BorodinO.