Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-19

Norma viewed them with great re-
spect and put them, carefully into his
pocket.
THE men have been chosen" he
said, subject, of course. to the khan's
approval" and he, submitted a list OF
names. I've can get no word OF any
considerable force oof the enemy ap-
preaching from the north. Beyond
question some obstacle has been en-
countered. Our scouts hear rumors OF
disaster on the railroad, but there
seems to be very little basis for the
report
These names are good" said Vera.
"All your arrangements are approved.
Here are my orders In duplicate for
the men,"
Korna received the papers and with
drew
would your eNcellency favor me
also with a copy of the order" asked
Darrell. and Vera tossed him a dupli-
cate which lay upon the table rolled up
tightly and secured by cord and seal.
What do you intendP' she asked.
81 have passed through their lines
once" he said. ut seemed possible
that with your permission l might do
It again."
you viii take no such risk" she
replied. when lives are to be staked
for Circassia, we shall find Circassians
In plenty to do it" &
81 surrendered to q German at the
fall of Gredskov," said Darrell, land
"A mighty good fellow he was too"
'There are mercenaries in every ar
my" Vera rejoined. 1--WE have hired
"A few expert soldiers where we could
find them. but most OF us fight for the
cause"
1.-The freedom of Clrcassia-" said Oar
reii.
'SThe freedom of CircassIa," respond
ed Vera, as If it were a toast.
Darrell drew a deep breath and
squared his shoulders with the air OF
one who meets an emergency.
"Circassia lies some distance to the
westward OF u.s." he said "Is II your
Intention 10 annex this provincey'
"The men OF this region have not rls-
en- with US" replied Vera. They de
serve no part in our liberty"
81 am imperfecuy informed about
your early successes" said Darrell.
~gou must have made short work Of
the Russian garrisons in Crcassia."
''They fed before us Ike Sheep
cried Vera. They fed to their forts
along the coast and the river"
And you reduced all those strong
holds in so short.6 timer he responded
cit Is marvellous"
General Nirrhigi is in command of
our army in the west" said Vera eve
have not yet heard of his success. He
moved westward, raising levles as he
went We believe that by this tune
Anapa has fallen before him and that
the Black sea coast is ours"
"Anapa is strong place, said Darrell.
"Of course do not know what strength
your general was able to bring against
it; but, considering the support of the
Russian fleet in the Black sea, am
afraid you are too sanguine."
eve fear nothing in that quarter"
answered Vera. ave have hastened to
carry the war into the enemy's country,
and you have seen how Russia has felt
the weight OF our sword"
She laid her hand upon the jeweled
weapon beside her. Darreus heart
groaned within him.
"This is wonderfully efficient force, :"
he said. ''Such Of your men as / have
seen appear to be armed and disci-
plined as wen as the crack regiments
of France or Germany. Circassia gained
a fighting reputation sixty or seventy
years ago, and the world has not for
gotten ii. Indeed one need not go back
so far. And yet am bound to say that
If an angel had come down to tell me
that such troops as these could come
out Of your country would have asked
fer evidence. How could Russia have
been blind to your designsp
THE credit belongs to Kilziar," an
swered Vera. "He has been secretly
at work for long time, and it was he
who threw dust ia the eyes OF the
car"
''Unless 1 am misinformed," said
Darrell, che was Russia's ranking gem
eral in your country and for all practi-
cal purposes its governor. Therefore
he is now doubly traitor In the eyes
of the car"
"He stakes his life upon the success
of our cause" replied Vera.
"And what has been your part in this
warlike ventureP asked Darrell.
"You were so good as to speak in
praise Of the arms of our troops" she
answered. NEARLY all our modern
weapons, including a large part of the
cannon and the ammunition Of all
kinds, were purchased by me in France,
and 1t was who planned their secret
shipment. That was my mission in
Paris"
"And 1t accounts for the visit Of NJ.
Clery."
'fHe was Of great use to me-" said
Vera. 81 think he took an especial In
terest In the matter because of the
novelty OF dealing with a woman. He
fatteFed me by saying that was alb.
solutely freak OF nature in my carac
ity for understanding the material OF
war"
CT think be did you no more than jus
~