The diamond drill., 1902-04-19

have been looked upon as the custom
ary delusion OF crank" and had ke
shown the Princess Nera's order AZ
such an early stage OF the proceedings
other hands than hs would probably
have delivered H. Therefore 10 he'd
named YArnek. the officer who had
been charged with his execution. whom
korna had descliDed as fr.eno--cer-
l talnly man devoted TO the khan and
well suited 10 be Darrells Intermediary
In this matter.
II appeared however. when they
were within the city that Captain Var
I mex was not an easy man 10 lind. Oar
relrs guide was directed here and there
with the greatest posluyeness ia each
case. but always wrongly, and Darrell
was on the point Of attempting direct
communication with Kllziar when the
problem was solved IN an unexpected
manner.
In the open space beside the prison
great crowd was gathered. and an Dar-
rell and his guard passed i'm the course
OF their search they heard the sound OF
music and saw in the midst OF the
throng considerable body Of troops
drawn mp in hollow square Two tail
timbers with crossbar on top seemed
10 define most dismally the occasion Of
this gathering.
"An exeeution?" asked Darrell. "For
what crime?"
Il heard the fellow had assisted the
escape of prisoner condemned by or
der of the prince" was the reply. ''IIe
used 10 be a turnkey in that prison"
"Did you hear his nameT
"Kevskl, or something like that" an
swered the man indfferently.
They will hang himY' exclaimed
Darrell In horror at the fate of this
man TO whom he owed his own life.
"By the feet. replied the soldier. Il
believe there's some idea of getting a
confession out of him. and when you
hang a man by the neck he hasn't so
much time 90 think the matter over.
could never understand why people
should want to see such thing" And
he pointed 10 the crowd with a ges-
ture of contempt that did him much
credit.
Darrell was already breaking through
the crowd and In half minute he had
come up 10 the thin line of soldiers by
which II was restrained Al that mo-
ment the unfortunate l<evsh was
holsted up. his feet bound together the
rope by which he was supported being
made fast between them He swung
at first but little clear Of the ground,
his hands bound beaud back, his
body slowly twirliug Oh T., rope.
This barbarity is not uncommon i'm
that region. and IL has terrifying ele-
ment OF uncertainty. for the amount Of
torture inflicted by Il can never be
known in advance, since II depends
upon the endurance of the individual.
Men have lived incredibly long and
have endured ndescribable torments.
while others have passed beyond pain
In few minutes
II is always a new wonder TO the
most experienced that such spectacle
can be given the aspect OF an enter
tainment. yet here was the band bray
ing as IL TO gather spectators for a
mountebank's performance, and here
were the people striving for the best
places Jests were far easier TO hear
than expressions OF sympathy, though
these citizens OF Gredskov. bred under
an alien rule, had no knowledge OF pub
lie punlshments for Justices sake. but
only as the crueltles OF an irresponsible
tyrant.
The band ceased with a rattle OF
brass, and the next instant Darrell was
inside the line Of soldiers, holding TO
his lips the pipes Of Musef from which
there seemed 10 issue shrill and lively
tune. The thing was So quickly done
that no one raised hand 70 stop him
MS ne began to march with a crazy dig
nifty in the direction OF the musicians.
The crowd laughed, the soldiers waited
for nm order, aud Tie officers, seeing no
harm dome hositated 10 giyc Ia.
"You do moi play So badly said Dar-
rell lowering Ills pipe and addressing
tile lc0ler II Che baul "hut ms music
IS much moro popular
He waved his hand III the direction
OF the crowd. which rewarded him
with cheers and laughter Tie band.
master turned ~ eye upon Tie colonel
OF tie regiment WHO Tad wheeled his
horse IN that direction lie was man
of joylal aspect and he seemed to be
somewhat the worse for liquor. Dar-
rell judged him 70 be mol ayerse TO this
comedy and was not deceived when
the officer with q great aifcctatlon Of
wrath. waved his naked sword over the
pipcrs head aud then brought 1t down
with wide sweep to light, tiatwise. on
the offenders back. II was not a very
safe trick. FOR the Circassian swords
are sharp as razOrs.
Upon my word" exclaimed the OH
Ger observing that Darrell did not even
wink. you don't scare caslyF
II haven't sense enough" responded
Darrell "Only the wise are afraid;
the others are soldiers"