The Iola register., 1902-08-08

! E&SHM4KsyBT messenger with only
| HyYE4Y-HSEnI a glance. Darrell had
| lWL NyfSsSG9 taken pains upon the
| ESYT.H- S3IE way to headquarters
to inform his captor
thoroughly regarding the Russian force
| that had cut in between Vladikaukas
| and Gredskov. AS the colonel natural.
ly desired to occupy the center Of the
stage Darrell obtained the obscure po-
sition that he craved.
The prince read the order, smiling,
and he seemed to honor the colonel
with only n small fraction of his atten-
ton, except when the news about Dar-
rell was disclosed At this Kllzlar
turned to the messenger and asked
| few sharp questions, to which Darrell
replied that the facts were TO be relied
upon, but that he could not tell why
the American had lost favor with the
princess. He had overheard Darrell
talking to himself, cursing his folly and
lamenting his misfortune. Kilzar could
not conceal his satisfaction, but he
brldled his curiosity. No more ques-
tons were asked, and presently the
audience was over.
Darrell found himself quite free, and
he resumed the search for Narnek,
whom he encountered half an hour lat
er as the captaln was about to mount
his horse In front of smithy where
the beast had been shod. 1t 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
said. Colonel Korna's wish is sufli-
cient with me, though that's not an
open secret in this camp"
81 Judge" responded Darrell, that
you 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
iuiudlcious In his use of them"
'In other words" said Darrell, "he
has seen through Kilziar, but has been
so unwlse as to let Kilziar know It,"
Varnek nodded atlirmatvely.
81 ride out with the advance guard"
said he, after a brief pause. General
Durham leads, with Il couple of cavalry
regiments. | think l can arrange to
have you 20 along"
"You could not do me greater IA
vor," answered Darrell.
"Wait here" said the captain, as he
swung himself into the saddle.
Within twenty minutes he was back
again, leading n good horse.
1--WE start at once" he said. "Tho
general is very glad to have you with
u.s."
When they passed through the north
ern gate of Gredskov and swung
around the long curve in the road Oar
rell had n chance to survey the force
1t appeared that two regiments Of Cir
cassian cavalry meant about 700 horse
men. They were well mounted, and
the speed which they maintained, VI
hill and down dale, astonished the
American, though he had seen some
hard riding. And it was not the pace
alone that surprised him. He could
not comprehend the advantage of rid
ing so fast when 1t was obvious thai
their supporting regiments must bt
left many miles in the rear.
About / o'clock they came In slight
Of a scouting party of the enemy, Will
whom n few Intellectual shots were eX
changed, the little squad of Russians
galloping away in n cloud Of dust. The
Circassian cavalry then proceeded
slowly, finally halting as If to wait fol
support. The second regiment whlcl
had fallen somewhat behind, present.!
came up, and the advance was resum
ed, but there was no sign Of another
force.
They came into range of some Rus
slams posted on top of hill, dislodget
them without difficulty and gained tn
summit, from which they saw the Rus
sian army moving to the westward, al
ready past the main road, except fo
: their rear guard, which was covering
:, the retreat.
General Durham did not seem to b
especially interested. He sat on horse
back, the picture of calm, for abou
half an hour, Mt the end of which pc
. rlod there appeared in the distance tn
a advance guard of n Circassian fore
out of Vladikaukas. There was ev
J. dence of excitement, and present.
about n thousand men were rushed III
. and the Russian rear guard was di'
= lodged, half the Gredslov cavalry joir
Il ing in the pursuit
Darrell did not ride with this attacl
= for he had perceived the Princess Yer
@ and her stalf on hill overlooking tn
- scene of these maneuyers. When til
...n.. ..-nn nInnI ON nlIinnr frnllnnn