Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-05

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have under II Is nearly as bad"
ut seems to me-" said Darrell that
In one OF these deserted farmhousss
ought to End enough clothes to cover
me. The people didn't have much time
TO move out They must have left
nearly everything behind them What
are pour own plans II we separator
/ II shall strike across country 10 the
village OF Botka, In which my mother
lives." replied Korna- II thought at f,rst
that II would be safe place for her,
but our military operations have taken
q different line from what anticipated
Besides. II Is possible Prince Hilxiar
would subject her and my relatives
there 30 persecution So 1 shall 70
there. and. having arranged for her
safety, / shall make my way TO Vladi-
kaukas. We shall meet there, trust.
You should have no great difficulty In
getting through, for II IL not far"
Can be OF use 70 you y asked Oar
rell But Korna thought himself safer
/ alone.
There ie a road to the left about half
mile shead." be said. and I shall
take it II Rilziar organizes q hard
pursuit OF me, II viii take the straight
line for Vladikaukas- My detour will
hardly hp suspected"
Good luck TO you said Darrell.
and heaven grant that we may meet
IN Fladikaukss. You say that the Prin-
cess Vera is there and that shall have
influence IL 20. you may count upon
It"
There Is house that looks prounis-
ing sold Korna. pointing TO one much
better than the ordinary. IF you will
take my advice, you will dismount,
hide your horse and get the best dis
guise that you can fnd. AS for the
road afterward. you cannot miss II.
1 Goodbye
Darrell wheeled his horse out or The.
highway and rode him around TO the
rear OF the farmhouse, where be con.
ceaied him In barn. Entering the
house. he found. as n PLACED there 10
meet his need. a heap OF clothing ON
the door OF the main room. II was
there that the fleeing people had gath
ereu their goods previous 10 the fiuaI
selection or the things that they could
carry away Fortunately. one OF the
men OF the household had been or large.
stature. aud his rude garments coui1
oe put on over Darreirs after the cloth.
ing OF the dead Turk had been discard.
ed. With a rough cap TO pull down
over his brow the disguise was not had
II was with great regret that he left
the horse behind. but prudence de-
manded II. for the animal was not az
TO outstrip pursuit and would surely be
recognized. Darrell set out afoot. fol-
lowing the highway. and he had not
gone far beyond the house when a
party of troopers swept up behind him.
Secure In his disguise. be merely stem
ped out of the road making no effort 70
conceal himself. and the troopers gave
him only glance.
II was upon the top OF hill that
they passed him. and half way down
the slope the road branched or toward
Botka. For a long way beyond the
highway ran straight and was In view,
but the road to Botka plunged into a
wood. Evidently the horsemen were
suspicious because they could not see
the fugitives on the long stretch ahead
OF them. They halted at the branch
read. holding u brief consultation: then
one OF them turned back and hailed
Darrell.
Two men on horseback" he shout
ed-'one of them an officer the other
In the dress OF a Turk"
Darrell stared and was silent, as If
failing to comprehend. The horseman
had ridden up close beside him and I'm
impatience struck at him with his
sheathed sword.
''One dressed something like the tall
man there"-and he pointed to the Off
Ger of his own party-"the other In a
red blouse with turban on his head"
''Oh, yes; l saw Them" answered
Darrell In a mumbling voice. 81 was
resting on top Of the hill. They rode
past"
(which way, idiotT
straight on" said Darrell, pointing.
They passed beyond the far hill lust
as you came up. | was watching them.
The dust is not settled yet as you see."
A long way beyond the wind was
stirring the dust of the read. The
trooper saw it and was foolishIy
pleased.
'TrueP' he cried "You are not such
fool as 1 thought YOU"
He wheeled about and Joined his par
ty, and they all galloped away on the
road to Vladikaukas, while one of the
men whom they sought sped away to
the west and the other trudged along
behind them, little picture Of the gen
eral lot OF humanity and the deceitful
guidance Of fate.
For a matter of three miles DARRELL
walked on, encountering no obstacle.
Then he became aware Of the troopers,
returning. They rode their tired horses
wildly, and as they passed him, where
he lay hidden in some bushes by the
roadside, he heard them exchanging
hasty words with scant breath, as ifl
they were greatly excited, but be could
catch no hint OF the cause. b
Hunger was beginning to assail him Il
again, and he made a search of two