Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-05-07

soldiers. 'W'e're close TO the lines, and
the noise may be ieard.'
You have no ear for music" said
Darrell. Get along" the. last words
being addressed to the mule.
The soldiers had let go of the bride
and had stepped aside. The animal
started with alacrity, for Darrell had
learned how to appeal to him with n
touch of the heel.
''Halt! Como back here.' cried the
Russians in duet, and one of them
threw n stick that lay handy beside
him. 1t missed Darrell and by good
luck hit the mule. Secretly encouraged
by his rider, the brute ran away, but
at no very great speed.
Don't shoot. I'll catch him" ex-
claimed one Of the Russians, and OAR
rell looking back, saw him coming,
while the other, rifle in hand, was now
unable to fire, even If he had wished
to do so, because of the risk of hitting
his comrade.
Darrell urged the mule to better
speed. The running soldier halted,
calling out threat, but at that mo-
ment Darrell reached the crest of lit
tie rise in the road and saw ahead of
him, at no great distance, an advanced
portion of the Russian line. Ten sec
onds more and he knew the picket
would not dare to shoot.
I'm stopping him." he called, max
ing great feint of struggling with the
bride rein, and the soldier, seeing that
the mules pace was slackening, low
cred his gun.
Its all right" Darrell shouted over
his shoulder. I've got him now. Pm
safe"
And having brought the mule to a
more mode:gte pace. he sat up straight
In the saddle and. putting the pipe to
his lips. rode on. discoursing weird, I'M
canny music. Soldiers We're advancing
toward him; behind him the picket.
swearing and laughing Mt the same
time. waved Il signal to the squad be-
You'd and tapped his forehead to de-
note the mental condition of this ex.
traordinary rider.
Darrell was soon surrounded, but by
cleverly playing his role he escaped be.
ing sent back. The squad took him
Into the lines and he was bandyInp
rough 1ests with them when an Off
Ger advanced. commanding silence.
What are you doing here?" he de-
manded
"Excelency," responded Darrell, 81
have come TO dinner"
lie slid Off the mules back and lean.
ed against the animal as IL too weak to
stand Then in response to questions
he told in crack Drained fashion the
story Of wandering that he had careful
ly prepared, founded upon the possibil-
tiles of Musef's character. He had
Travelled with n caravan; he had left it
and had lost his way. All the houses
by the road were empty. He had
found no one to give him food.
Il believe the fellow Is really starry
Ing" snid the officer. LET him have
something to eat. Search him, how
ever"
Darrell was searched, but nothing
suspicious was found, for he had pre-
pared himself for such an ordeal. His
garments throughout and the emptl.
ness of their ragged pockets befitted
the character which he had assumed.
Vera's order, tightly rolled, was inside
Musef's pipe, but 1t; did not occur to
these mems minds that n wind instru-
ment which could be played upon
might contain any article contraband
of war. 1t was far beyond their wit to
suspect that the mans music proceed
ed from his own lips, quite independ-
eHt of the apparent source of It.
Feed him and keep an eye ON him."
was the ofIicer's order. and Darrell oh