Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-28

IL - who were being ruth
lessly murdered, rang
through the corridors of the prison.
Kevski led Darrell by a dark and mar
row way into dungeon similar 20 the
one he had quit But here there was
| evidence that the guard had already
| been to obey the commands of the gen.
eraL Two young mountaineers lay
upon the earthen floor with the life
\ blood flowing from gaping wounds in
their breasts and throats.
There was window In this dun
geon, as In DarrelPs. It opened d.
rectly over a stone stairway leading
to parapet In the defenses of the city.
| There were bars In the window, but
Kevski found an iron instrument. with
which the two men wrenched the bars
| away. Then they climbed through the
window and ran up the stairway. In
a small room on top OF the wall there
was gunroom or small armory. Here
were some spare uniforms that were
held for the soldiers of the garrison.
Darrell put on one of them over his
other clothing.
Now we must take our places with
/ SAN SdAu NGNShl-
He had scarcely uttered the words
when a lieutenant on the lookout for
stragglers appeared at the door and
! ordered them to follow him. They
! Joined party OF a dozen men and
| when they emerged from the prison
| fell into line with a company that was
| forming. 1t was a motley crew, but
was Differed by experienced soldiers
! and well enough armed. Presently
Darrell found himself upon the walls
In position commanding a view of
stretch of land so rough as to preclude
the idea that an assault would be made
at that point
The nearest line of the enemy was
upward of 500 yards distant and there
was scattering and useless fire from
both sides. Two batteries OF light
field guns were visible farther back.
but they were not In action. Between
them and the skirmish line consider
| able body OF troops in fairly good for
nation were moving around TO the
right From that direction came the
heaviest firing, and there seemed TO be
considerable artillery at work Wild
| shots from these guns occasionally
| flew clear over the town, and this
fire, almost in their rear. constituted
the chief danger OF the defenders at
the point where Darrell was posted.
Some shells burst rather close, but no
one was hurt
Darrelrs share in the battle consisted
in firing often enough to escape attract
ing the attention OF an officer, but I'M
der the circumstances he found no diff
| ficulty in avoiding the chance of hitting
| any Of the besiegers. whom be viewed
as friends
Presently the faint sound of cheer
| ing fioated across the rugged expanse
| from the lines OF the encircIing enemy.
1t came from the left. where there
were trees that Interrupted the view,
and the cause of IL was not Immediate
| ly obvious Soon. however. some
mounted officers appeared heading a
force which even at the distance show
ed superiority OF drill and equipment
The sound Of the cheering increased.
Evidently some idol OF the army was
| among the officers One OF them, In
| deed, was seen to be distinguished by
nch attire, and the sunlight flashed
| upon his plumed cap and the hilt OF his
| sword as II they were set with jewels.
| A long cloak OF scarlet hung from his
[ shoulders, and that, too, seemed to be
| Jeweled upon the clasps at the throat
The word ran along the ranks OF the
| defenders upon the wall:
THAT Is Motman Khanr
And at the command of an officer
4 81 l.
but the range, though not beyond the
power of their weapons, was far too
long for the skill OF the men. The
| splendid cavalcade moved on unharm-
| ed
For an hour or more the conditions
remarked nearly unchanged, so far as
Darrell could observe, There was
| slight increase OF artillery fire upon the
| right, and the number OF guns In ac-
| ton surprised Darrell for the country
| round Gredskov was not favorable for
the transportation of cannon. They
seemed 20 be small pieces, it is true,
| but OF a good modern type, to Judge
| by the execution wrought by some OF
| the shells GgedSkov was on fire in n
hundred pfaces, and the smoke reese
straight up In the perfectly still air,
hanging in the form OF great umbrel-
la that spread wider and darker over
! the doomed city.
In the shelter OF a row Of stone build
ings on the other side OF an open space
- .Ay between che wall where Oar
rel was and the close built portion of
the town crowd OF terrified people
were huddled. They seemed to be
mostly old men and boys.
where are the womenT' asked Oar.
rell OF Kevski. and the latter replied
that great many had let the city, the
besiegeps having guaranteed them
safety among the hills.
Darrell was surprised at this evil
dence OF civilized warfare, and he said
50.
wait till the town is taken" an
swered Kevski, with a shudder.
At this moment there came a great
access Of tumult from across the city.
u