Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-06-07

ban. 1t appeared that the letter and the
spirit Of the terms were kept strictly in
mind. There was no attempt at eva
sion, and to the Circassians the chang
ed conditions were an infinite relief.
After Kilziar's flight had become
known in the city there had been panic
indescribable among the troops. 1t
was rumored that Vera also had fed.
and the soldiers cursed their leaders
and raved in despair.
When Durham returned with news
that general parole would be granted,
with supplies and protection for the
return to Circassia, the amy could
hardly credit the report. Iurban be-
came an idolized hero, but he was un-
able to endure the false light thus cast
upon him and turned it frankly upon
Darrell, the American. Lastly rumor
went abroad that it was the princess
who, by thwarting Kilziar and sur
rendering herself into the Russians
hands, had saved her soldiers from the
sword.
Vera's illness gave color to the story.
She was. in reality. the victim OF a
complete mental exhaustion. She had
let 60 her hold upon reality and lay
upon her couch all day. dreaming and
talking Of days and events long past.
1t was feared that her reason was ut
terly gone. and upon that account all
news about her was suppressed. More
over, it was deemed essential by Dur
ban and Colonel Korna, who alone
knew the exact facts. that Fera'S pres
ence in the city should DC unknown.
The truth was revealed to Darrell.
and he could almost haze found 1t In
his heart to be glad.
"Her mind will return some day.
said Darrell to the gray old general
"If you nre with her them
81 shall he always" lic interrupted.
'until my service is iIn longer desired"
"rcll her" said Darrell, with tears in
his cycS-"tell her was the cheerful
est Yankee you ever SAW and that
was happy because | had been able to
do her q small service IN the hour Of
need"
"Yankee?" repeated Durham. for the
word bad been untranslatable.
"lt's a name for my people," an
swered Darrell. But | forgot Il am
Motman Khan"
On the ninth day. the Clrcasslans be-
ing nearly all en- route for their coun.
try. a small part of the Russian force
escorting General Getchikoff took the
road northward toward Vladikaukas.
Their start was delayed. and they met
with many obstacles, so that at night.
fall they were passing through a vii
lage about midway between the two
cities. The greater portion Of the force
passed on, but the general and his im-
mediate encourage took up their quar-
tiers In the village. which was called
Meldek.
Darrell had made the journey in a
covered baggage wagon, otherwise
empty, much like an animal belonging
to a travelling circus. but he had really
nothing to complain Of. He was com.
Portable enough. and fetters were con-
sidered unnecessary. though he was in
formed that Eilziar and his friends
were not so fortunate.
Arriving at the village, Darrell was
confined In room Of small house.
where he was served with very
scanty supper. but as he was granted
the luxury of smoking afterward he
entered no complaint. He was nearly
ready for sleep when, to his surprise,
two soldiers came and led him to an.
other house. seemingly without pur-
pose. for the quarters did not differ
in any particular that he could per-
ceive.
"You have been very badly fed" said
one Of his new guards. "The general
heard about it and raised row. Here
is another supper for you"
If Darrell had not been so careful in
the written instructions for Gordon
which he had given to Getchikoff in
pursuance Of their agreement, he might
have seen something suspicious in food
thus offered, especially when accompa-
MED by q small bottle Of good wine.
Though the chances were that Darrell
would be shot in Stavropol, he had no
wish to be poisoned or otherwise dis
posed Of on the route, aud he had ex-
plicitly provided in the agreement for
an open execution or none at all. Being
satisfied Of Getchikoff's good faith In
the matter. he ate the food and drank
the wine, and when next he became
aware of his own existence it was
broad daylight. and he was lying on
the floor. having apparently fallen out
Of his bunk.
His head ached most distressingly
and his senses were dull. He could not
even wonder at the absence Of guards.
The principal object Of interest for
his bedimmed and struggling intellect
was q large knife which stood up
straight from the table where he had
eaten his supper. Even while lying
on the floor he could see the end OF
the knife's handle, which shone In the
sun, and the thing seemed odd.
He arose with some difficulty and
stood staring at the knife. 1t was
really a dagger Of rich Workmanship
the hilt incrusted with small but fine