Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-05

not be left unguarded. The caravan
would never get through until the mil
itary operations of the Russians should
be transferred TO another field. II
might be possible. however, for one
man to get through the lines or to work
his way around them without too great
| expenditure OF time
| When the night had fallen, Darrell
crept out OF the camp which lay so
silent In the wood. a man guarding ev-
cry animal and ready with a knife I'm
hand to cut Its throat If Ii should dis
turb the stiffness with such voice as
nature had given IL. For a mile or
more he followed the edge of the high
way, and then, without warning from
eye or ear, he was as near as possible
to running straight into the arms OF
| Russian pickets. He dropped into Al
clump Of bushes not 100 feet distant
from the guards and there lay quiet for
awhile, undecided what TO do. Upon
his left was bare and open ground.
Even under cover OF the darkness be
scarcely dared risk crossing It. To go
the other way was to approach the
head OF the army, for 1t was moving
eastward. and he was afraid 1t might
throw down a spur toward Gredskov-
and thus cut him or completely. The
better course would be to work to the
westward. though that would involve
crossing the army's line OF communica-
ton with it's base, wherever that might
be.
As be lay there rejecting upon this
problem be heard some one advancing,
along the highway. Whoever II was,
he came on without caution, the sound
OF his steps plainly audible IN the still
night. Darrell could detect a move
msnt OF the picket guards, Indicating
that they. too. had heard the sound.
His position was such that the man in
the road was nearly opposite him be-
fore he came into view. Then he recog-
nized the idiot piper by the cloak that
he had worn, garment that had once
been bright red and gaudy with gold
thread, but wss grotesquely stained
with age and ragged and furnished.
Suddenly a picket cried out, "Haltp'
The idiot stopped, hesitated a mo-.
ment and then answered: I'm Musef
the Traveller. You'll let me pass"
Then voice. not the one that had
spoken before. but the most surprising
~ harsh and rafting tone that Darrell
had ever heard from a human throat.
said:
Come on, here! Give an account OF
yourselfI"
II the voice had been ordinary. the
idiot would probably have obeyed with
out fear; but, as Il CHANGED, he was
frightened by this rsucous cry. like n
beasts. and he turned TO run away.
Instantly two shots were fred. and
Darrell heard the soldiers advancing.
The idiot had sprung out OF the road
AND was running across the open
ground. Darrell, being too nearly I'm
the line OF the soldiers, dared not re-
main He got upon his feet and fed in
the same way that the idiot had taken.
II appeared that In the darkness they.
ootn escaped the view OF the soldiers.
at hrst Darrell had run almost a hun
dred yards before another shot was
nred. and II went wild. He reached
ehharmed the shelter OF the bushes ON
the other side OF the field and, looking
back. could see no sign OF his pursuers.
Turning to continue his fight. he came
TO stream that looked too deep 10 be
crossed without swimming. He FOL.
lowed II toward the left through some
thick brush, from which he emerged
upon smooth, slopIng bank It was a.
spot upon which the starlight seemed
10 fan with an especial radiance. per
maps because OF the darkness from
which he had come. At any rate. OAR
rell saw the sluggish stream, the droop-
ing trees beside 1t and the smooth
slope quite plainly and upon the grass
the figure of man lying with his face
toward the sky. II was the idiot. Mu-
ser the Traveller, and he had come TO,
the end Of his journey.
I'm hurt in the breast" he said as
Darrell knelt beside him. "but | guess
II isn't very bad. feel pretty well,
but thirsty. was going 10 get a
drink"
Darrell raised the mans head and
saw that his eyes were quite calm. not
restless, as they had been
was gathering honey with my
brothers" he went on. and I fen from