The Iola register., 1902-07-18

kaukas could not be more than ten |
miles away, yet he was so lame from
his fall that even this short distance
involved a great exertion and much
pain.
ON the slender chance of finding any
beast that a man might ride he visited
several deserted farmhouses, securing
enough food for his needs, but no cat
tie. He was in such a condition that
a sound OK would have seemed a good
mount, but there was none to be had.
In one of the houses he was greatly
surprised to discover gun, almost the
last thing he would have supposed
that fleeing tenant would abandon.
1t was a muzzle loading weapon of the
type of many years ago: but. ss there
was n supply of ammunition, Darrell
thought the gun worth taking.
During the day he made very little
progress, being twice compelled to lie
hidden while Russian scouting parties
were about. Sunset found him far to
the west of the hlghroad, uncertain of
his way and suffering both from ex.
haustion and the injury that he had
| sustained on the previous night. He
| came at last TO road that was scarce
ly more than a trail through the woods,
and by the side Of it he sat down to eat
such food as he had and to rest. He
fell into n doze, with his back against
the moss covered stump of a tree, and
1t was dark when he awoke.
Something had startled him. He
felt thrill Of vague alarm as he strug
gled back to consciousness, and the
rusty gun that he had taken from the
farmhouse was in his hands without
an effort of volition. He heard the
sound OF horses feet, and immedi-
ately the beast and his rider came into
view, dim in the starlight.
Without n thought in his half waken-
ed mind, except that he needed a horse,
Darrell sprang out into the path, With
the gun in his hands, and cried out
Halt" 1t was the horse that obeyed
the order The rider continued to ad
vance, by the law of inertia, and he
came to rest like sack of meal on the
soft moss by the roadside. Darrell in
stantly pounced upon him, but 1t was
wholly unnecessary, for the man die
not move. He was lying upon his face
: unconscious.
A hasty glance assured Darrell tina
the horse would not run. The poo
beast was standing as il on woodei
= legs driven into the ground. Satisfied
e in this particular Darrell looked agail
= to his prisoner and became suddenl!
l aware that he wore a Circassan oil
o GERS uniform under a long and raGge,
$ coat. In another instant he had turn
ed the man upon his back and wa
gazing into the face of Korna.
There was no sign Of injury. Korn
had fallen limp as a drunkard an
o with drunkards immunity from brc
ken bones. 1t was the mere shoe
!, that had robbed him of his wits. Dal
rell was at loss to understand hoy
@ so good horseman had been so easil
@ thrown, and yet the manner of the ia
o gave some hint Of the explanation, S
d that Darrell was not wholly surprise
/. when Korna had regained his power G
n speech to hear him mutter in Russia
4 (for he fanced that he was addressin
r Russian soldiers): Don't make m
Il move. I'm too tired TO stand on III
/ feet"
t 1t required some minutes for Darre
s- 10 make himself known and to eXplai
his act. Finally Korna sat up an
Il looked at the American with a glanC
e OF comprehension.
- To be Continued