Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-08-09
CHAPTER XXI,
TIKI DAGGER AND THE CHART.

the Russian reported !
upon the progress of the disbandment |
and departure of the Circassian army.
and his words were confirmed by Dur |
ban. 1t appeared that the letter and the |
spirit of the terms were kept strictly in
mind. There was no attempt at eva
Sion, and to the Circassians the chang
ed conditions were an infinite relief.
After Kilziar's flight had become
known in the city there had been panic
indescribable among the troops. 1t
was rumored that Vera also had fed,
and the soldiers cursed their leaders
and raved in despair.
When Durham returned with news
that a general parole would be granted
with supplies and protection for the
return to Circassia, the army could
hardly credit the report. Durham be-
came an idolized hero, but he was un.
able to endure the false light thus cast
upon him and turned Il frankly upon
Darrell, the American. Lastly a rumor
went abroad that it was the princess
who, by thwarting Kilziar and sur.
rendering herself into the Russians
hands, had saved her soldiers from the
sword
Vera's Illness gave color to the story.
She was, in reality, the victim of a
complete mental exhaustion. She had
let go her hold upon reality and lay
upon her couch all day, dreaming and
talking Of days and events long past.
1t was feared that her reason was ut
teriy gone. and upon that account all
news about her was suppressed. More
over, it was deemed essential by Dur
ban and Colonel Korna, who alone
knew the exact facts, that Vera's pres
ence In the city should be unknown.
The truth was revealed to Darrell,
and he could almost have found 1t in
his heart to be glad
"Her mind will return some day"
said Darrell to the gray old general
'Tf you are with her them
'T shall be always" he interrupted,
until my service is no longer desired"
Tell her." said Darrell, with tears in
his eyes-"tell her / was the cheerful
est Yankee you ever saw and that I
was happy because / had been able to
do her a small service in the hour Of
need"
"YankeeT repeated Durham, for the
word bad been untranslatable.
TITS name for my people," an
swered Darrell. But I forgot II am
Motman Khan"
On the ninth day, the Circassians be-
ing nearly all en- route for their coun-
try, small part of the Russian force
escorttng General Getchikoff took the
road northward toward Vladikaukas.
Their start was delayed, and they met
with many obstacles, so that at night
fall they were passing through a viii
lage about midway between the two
cities. The greater portion OF the force
passed on, but the general and his Inn
mediate encourage took up their quar-
tiers ia the village. which was called
Meidek.
Darrell had made the journey in a
covered baggage wagon, otherwise
empty, much like an animal belonging
TO travelling circus, but he had really
nothing to complain OF. He was COM
Portable enough, and letters were con-
sidered unnecessary, though he was In
formed that Kilziar and his friends
were not so fortunate.
Arriving at the village Darrell was
confined in a room of a small house.
where he was served with a very
scanty supper. but as he was granted
the luxury OF smoking afterward he
entered no complaint. He was nearly
ready for sleep when, TO his surprise
two soldiers came and led him to an
other house. seemingly without pur
pose, for the quarters did not differ
In any particular that he could per
ceive.
you have been very badly fed" sale
one of his new guards "The genera
heard about IL and raised row. Here
is another supper for you"
If Darrell had not been so careful II
the written instructions for Gordon
which he had given to Getchikoff ii
pursuance Of their agreement, he NIGH
have seen something suspicious IN fooC
thus offered, especially when accompa
MED by a small bottle of good wine
Though the chances were that Darrell
would be shot in Stavropol, he had n,
wish to be poisoned or otherwise dis
posed OF on the route, and he had ex
plicitly provided IN the agreement 70
an open execution or none at all. Beinj
satisfied of Getchikoffs good faith IL
the matter, he ate the food and dranl
the wine, and when next he becam
aware OF his own existence IT wa
broad daylight, and he was lying OIL
the floor, having apparently fallen on
of his bunk.
His head ached most distressingly
and his senses were dull. He could no
even wonder at the absence OF guards
The principal object OF interest 70
his bedimmed and struggling intellec
was a large knife which stood u
straight from the table where he ha
eaten his supper. Even while lyin
on the floor he could see the end Q
the knife's handle, which shone in til
sun, and the thing seemed odd.
He arose with some difficulty an
stood staring at the knife. 1t wa
really dagger Of rich workmanship
the hilt incrusted with small but I'm
gems.
''Vera'sp be cried and staggered