Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-31

Prince KilZiar, who was present with
several of his most trusted officers.
81 wish. however. that we could delay
their attack for twenty.four hours"
"There is no possible chance of It."
answered General Durham. 1--WE may
as we'll dismiss the thought"
"Your pardon. general" said Darrell;
81 have reason to believe that can ac-
complish so much ut least. | am In a
position to exert personal influence up
on General Getchikoff."
Kllziar regarded Darrell with a
scowl. Since the opening Of the siege
they had been on terms of armed neu-
trality.
What is the nature Of that inf1u-
ence?' asked the prince.
"If I disclose 1t to any one," answer
ed Darrell, "it ceases to be valid. You
must take my word in the dark that 1t
exists"
This does not greatly encourage
me-" rejoined Kilziar.
Nevertheless" said Vera, "Mr. OAR
rell's plan should be tried. If he can
prolong the negotiations for day. We
shall have better roads for our march
westward, and the enemy will gain
nothing"
81 require no more than permission
to speak with General Getchikoh
alone" said Darrell.
"You will not get 1t from him."
growled Kilziar. IL think we waste
time"
Darrell merely bowed. He had
caught the eye Of General Durham and
was satisfied by q glance that be would
have no obstacle put in his way when
the conferees should meet again on
the morrow. Vera had seen this BY
play. and she also remained silent.
Durham presently withdrew and Dar-
rell with him. They walked together
In silence toward point Of the fortif-
cations which commanded what must
be the field of their endeavor If they
should make the attempt to cut the
Russian lines.
There seemed to be considerable
movement of the Russian troops.
"They are closing in Bit" said Dur
ban after long look through his field
glasses. upon my word, they are not
all dead Of fever"
General" said Darrell, "you are an
old soldier and a good one. Have we a
chance"
"None whatever" replied the gen.
eral, with impressive calm. 1.-THE
formation Of the country enables the
enemy to plant guns beyond our range,
yet sweeping every road by which we
can move out. There is no way for
us to get our own guns into effective
action, for they would shoot US off the
face Of the earth while we were linn
bering up. Only the merest rags of
our army would ever get through, and
they could never get together again
into an effective military body. A
picked force might surround the prin-
cess and carry her to safety, but the
chances would be against It."
do you think that Is what Prince
Kilziar means to do"
81 know not" answered Durham,
"but this whatever he intends,
it is not what he says"
Further than that the general de-
clined to speak. and the two men fell
to praising a gorgeously beautiful SUM-
set which might we'll be the last that
they would ever see.
"By the way" said Durham as they
were about to separate, you shall have
your chance with Getchikoff tomorrow.
What do you hope to accomplish-a
days delay?'
81 fear can do little" answered
Darrell. "The situation essentially in
wolves defeat, whether in battle or ne
gotiation. Kilziar and his friends are
the rock on which my hopes are wreck
ed"
"There might be way to get them
out of the camp" said Durham, staring
gloomily at the black precipices behind
the town.
at would do no good" answered
Darrell. UNLESS they are delivered up
the Russians will take the city. Sooner
or later they will surely take it, and
that means massacre. 1t means the
death Of the princess, whom you and |
would give our lives to save, for rest
assured she will not be made prisoner. "
"And our sortie tomorrow" said Dur
ban. "is only the same thing under an
other name"
"The best we can hope for is mere
postponement," continued Darrell. Il
may secure delay from Getchikoff. but
no influence can force him to do the i'm
possible. He has no authority to make
any terms or even to show mercy, while
Kilziar, whom the car holds to be q
traitor utterly beyond pardon, remains
leader of our forces or sheltered with
! in our lines. So there's the situation.
What can we make Of it?"
Tomorrow will show" answered
Durham. returning Darrelrs gesture of
farewell.
Darrell spent part Of the evening In
searching for Kevski and the balance
in hard smoking and harder thinking.
Somewhat after midnight he betook
himself to bed and by the exercise of
great determination went to sleep.
He was awakened shortly after day.
break by hasty summons from the
princess. She was dressed in her mill
tary uniform. even to sword and dag
ger, but when she attempted to rise
from chair upon Darrcll's entrance