The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-04-26
(coNTINGED }
CHAPTER XVI.
A MESSAGE FROM PARIS.

y
10 inform his captor
+ thoroughly regarding the Russian force
chat had cut In between VladikauISas
md Gredskoy. AS the colonel natural.
~ desired TO occupy the center OF the
wtage Darrell obtained the obscure po-
ition that he craved
The prince read the order, smiling,
Ind he seemed TO honor the colonel
uyith only a small fraction OF his etten-
Ion. except when the news about OAR
FELL was disclosed. AT this Kllziar
urned to the messenger and asked n
Few sharp questions, to which Darrell
yeplied that the facts were to be relied
hpor< but that he could not tell why
he american had lost favor with the
Princess. He had overheard Darrell
ohlking to himself cursing his folly aud
amenting his misfortune. Kilziar could
eiot conceal his satisfaction, but he
ridled his curiosity. No more ques-
Ions were asked, and presently the
audience was over.
Darrell found himself quite free, and
ie resumed the search for Varnek,
Whom he encountered half an hour lat
tr as the captain was about 10 mount
his horse In front OF smithy where
the beast had been shod. II seemed
best TO trust this man fully, and Oar
rell disclosed his Identity TO him at the
outset. Varnek was amazed at the
Americans story.
.'You may count me your friend" he
laid. Colonel Korna's wish Is sutii-
tient with me, though that's not an
open secret in this camp"
II Judge" responded Darrell, that
byou are not less brave than he, but
much more discreet"
"As to the matter Of discretion" said
varnek, 'you may be right korna has
been shrewd In discovering facts, but
injudlcious in his use of them"
aIn other words said Darrell, he
has seen through KilzIar, but has been
so unwlse as to let Kilziar know II.
yarnek nodded aflirmatiyely.
al ride, out with the advance guard,
eald he, after a brief pause. General
2Duiban leads. with couple of cavalry
Regiments. think | can arrange 70
have you go along"
you cOulu not w ht biN"eNi ="
vor," answered Darrell.
"Walt here" said the captain as he
swung himself into the saddle
within twenty minutes he was back
agaln, leading n good horse.
"We start at once" he said. The
general is very glad to have you Will
u.s.
When they passed through the north
( ern gate OF GredskoV and swung
around the long curve IN the road Oar
| rell had chance 10 survey the force
III appeared that two regiments OF CIR
cassian cavalry meant about 700 horse
men. They were well mounted, anC
the speed which they maintained, VI
hill and down dale, astonished tn
American, though lie had seen som'
hard riding. And It was not the pace
nlone that surprised him. He coul'
not comprehend the advantage of rid
ing so fast when II was obvious tina
4 their supporting regiments must p
left many miles In the rear
n About / o'clock they came In sigh
Of n scouting party OF the enemy, wit
Al whom n few Intellectual shots were ok
i changed, the little squad OF Russian
u ralloplng away In a cloud Of dust. tn
n circassian cavalry then proceede
slbwly. finally hating as II to wait 70
support. The second regiment whic
Fl bad fallen somewhat behind present.
came mn. and the advance was resun
an but there was no sign Of anothe
a force.
= They came into range OF some Rus
SLAMS posted on top OF hill, dislodge
them without difficulty and gained III
enmmit. from which they saw the Rus
sian army moving to the westward q
ready past the main road, except fc
choir rear guard, which was GOVERN
the retreat.
General Durham did not seem TO
.scociallv interested. He sat on hors
haclx the picture OF calm, for abo'
half an hour, at the end OF which p
nod there appeared in the distance II
ADVANCE guard OF n Circasslan fore
ont OF yladlkaukas. There was CIV
dence of excitement, and present.
ahout n thousand men were rushed u
and the Russian reaR guard was 81
lodged, half the GredEkov cavalry Jol
inc in the pursuit
Darrell did not ride with this attac
FOR he had perceived the Princess We
and her stan on Hill overlooking u
scene OF these maneuvers. When u
vuay was clear. an officer gallop'
across. with opders for the gener
commanding to report TO her. He d
40 in person, and Darrell accompani'
him.
The princess was on horseback, up'
an animal that was a picture Of gra
and a bundle Of nerves. A splend
horscwoman was Vera, and n glorio
elcht to the eye; but, though she ro'