The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-05-03
BY Jules VerDe
CONTINUED

might act alone II necessary. He there
fore held himself aloof from his for
mer acquaintances.
From the moment that Harry Blount
had fallen by his side Jolivet had not
ceased his attentions to him. During
the journey from Kalyvan to the camp
that is to say, for several hours
Blount, by leaning on his companions
arm, had been enabled to follow the
rest Of the prisoners. He had tried to
make known that he was British sub
ject, but it had no effect on the bar
barians. who only replied by prods with
lance or sword. The correspondent
of The Daily Telegraph was therefore
obliged ~ submit to the common lot,
resolving to protest later and to obtain
satisfaction for such treatment. But
the journey was not the less disagree
able to him, for his wound caused him
much pain, and without Alcide Jolivet's
assistance he might never have reached
the camp.
Jolivet, whose practical philosophy
never abandoned him, had physically
and morally strengthened his compan-
ion by every means in his power. His
first care when they found themselves
definitely established in the inclosure
was to examine Blount's wound. Hay-
ing managed to draw off his coat, he
found that the shoulder had been only
grazed by the shot.
This Is nothing" he said; "a mere
scratch. After two or three dressings
you will be all to rights"
"But these dressings?" asked Blount.
~ will make them for you myself"
"Then you are something of a doc
tor?'
"All Frenchmen are something of
doctors"
And on this affirmation Alcide, tear
ing his handkerchief, made lint of one
piece, bandages Of the other, took some
water from well dug in the middle of
the Enclosure, bathed the wound, which
happily was not serious, and skillfully
placed the wet rag on Harry Blounts
shoulder.
81 thank you, M. Jolvet," said Har-
ry, stretching himself on bed of dry
leaves which his companion had ar
ranged for him in the shade of birch
tree
Nov let us talk of what we ought
to do. assure you have no intention
of remaining a prisoner to these Tar
tars for an indefinite time"
"Nor / either"
eve will escape on the first oppor-
tunity?"
Eyes, if there is no other way Of re
gaining our liberty"
"Do you know of any other" asked
Blount, looking at his companion.
Certainly. We are not belligerents;
we are neutral, and we will claim our
freedom"
"From, that brute of a Feofar-K Khan ~
mo; he would not understand" an
swered Jollvet; "but from his lieuten-
ant, Ivan Ogareff."
"He is villain"
"No doubt, but the villain is a Rus
sian. He knows that it does not do to
trifle with the rights of men, and he
has no interest to retain us. On the
contrary. But to ask a favor of that
gentleman does not quite suit my
taste"
But that gentleman is not in the
camp or at least l have not seen him
here" observed Blount.
"He will come. He will not fail to
do that. File must join the emir. Sbe-
ria is cut in two now, and very certain
ly Feofar's army is only waiting for
him to advance on Irkutsk."
"And, once free, what shall we do?"
"Once free, we will continue our
campaign and follow the Tartars until
the time comes when we can make our
way into the Russian camp. We must
not give up the game. No. indeed; we
have only just begun"
The event so much wished for by Jo-
livet and Blount so much dreaded by
Michael, occurred on the morning of
the 18th of August.
On that day the trumpets sounded,
the drums beat, the cannon roared. A
huge cloud of dust swept along the
road from Kalyvan. Ivan Ogareff, fol-
lowed by several thousand men, made
his entry into the Tartar camp.
At the first flourish of the trumpets
several officers of high rank, followed
by a brilliant escort of Usbeck horse
men, moved to the front of the camp to
receive Ivan Ogareff.
Arrived In his presence, they paid
him the greatest respect and invited
him to accompany them to Feofar-
Khan's tent.
Imperturbable as usual, Ogareff re-
piled coldly to the Difference paid to
him. He was plainly dressed, but from
sort of impudent bravado he still
wore the uniform of a Russian officer.
AS he was about to ride on to pass
the enciente of the camp, Sangarre,
passing among the officers of the es-
cort, approached and remained motion
less before him.
"Nothing% asked Ivan Ogareff.
Nothing"
"Have patience"
as the time approaching when you
will force the old woman to speak?"
ut is approaching, Sangarre"
when will the old woman speakT
when we reach Tomsk."
"And we shall be there