The Iola register., 1902-07-18

"Wnlcn way, lulOt
straight on" said Darrell pointing.
"They passed beyond the far hill just
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 road. The
trooper saw it and was foollshly |
pleased.
"True! he cried "You are not such !
n fool as 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, a little picture Of the gen
eral lot of humanity and the deceitful
guidance of fate.
For a matter of three miles Darrell
walked on, encounterlng 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 II
| they were greatly excited, but he could
catch no hint Of the cause.
Hunger was beginning to assail him
again, and he made search Of two
houses without finding anything edi-
BILE. In the third he secured food
enough to keep him from the pains of
starvation. but ne would gladly have
had better AS he emerged from this
house he heard trampling in the road,
and presently from behind thick
growth of low trees emerged the car
avan from which Kilzlar had exacted
such grinding tribute.
II came to Darrelrs mind that he
might make terms with the leader of
this caravan and travel with 1t toward
Nladikaukas Two of the merchants
rode ahead. bestridlng horses so good
that Darrell wondered why Kilziar's
soldiers had not appropriated them.
Between these horsemen was remark
able figure mounted on a donkey, the
riders long legs almost touching the
ground upon each side. The bride was
hanging ON the beasts neck, the hands
Of the rider being occupied with the
stops of n musical instrument some
what resembling the classic pipe, which
he was playing Justify and with no lit
tie skill, the melody being a weird mi
nor strain, absurd, yet fascinating.
The mans face was almost complete
ly covered by beard rough as n hedge
row. n mere bundle Of spiky hair. His
eyes were shifty and bright, looking
out close under the ragged rim of cap
OF shag-a man mentally deranged, as
any one might see, wanderer, proba-
bly,, fed for his music and his distorted
wit that enlivened the way. Darrell
would have said that the merchants
, after the loss Of their property and
, their comrade, would have had little
!, appetite for the idiots piping, yet they
honored him with a grave attention
and when he ceased they uttered some
, words that seemed to be commenda
tory.
: Darrell stepped forward into the roat
r and addressed one of the merchants
in Russian, walking along beside hi
. horse.
II 81 want to travel with your party,
\ he said. 81 am going toward Vladi
= kaukas."
II The merchant shook his head. bu
Darrell persisted, saying:
, II have bit of money here. don
= know what it is worth but if it vii
:. pay for my food and IA ride part of tn
a way upon horse or a camel
- He displayed one of the Russian
notes, taken from the roll Of none.
which he had kept through all his nd
:, ventures and which up to this momen
~ had been of remarkably little use t
= him.
g. Where did you get that" demande
~ the merchant.
= From dead Russian on the battle
neld near Gredskov," replied Darrell
e rs 1t sufficient
e The Turk might have taken the mon
l. ey without rendering any return; but
e fortunately, he possessed some smal
o instinct of honesty, perhaps only tn
II traders notion of bargain.
IS "Have you any moreW he demanded
l. mo" replied Darrell; that was al
Al the man had in his pocket except ON
d coin that have spent already
e The merchant gravely put the none
e into his pocket, his partner mcanwhl
a making sign that indicated division.
b. I'VE will give you food" he sait
J. 'and you may enjoy our protection a
n far as Nladikaukas, but fear there
i. no beast that you can ride upon. w
IL travel, however, at n foot pace"
G. 81 will walk beside you" responde
lt Darrell and for some hundreds G
le yards he did so in silence.
d. what was this battle of Gredskovi
OF asked the merchant at last. II hav
heard, of course, something of it, br
H. perhaps you can tell me more"
p Darrell saw his opportunity, and h
TO became so entertaining in his narri
We ton, a large part of 1t wholly ihagnar.
that the merchant presently ordered u
at a mule for him to ride that he migl
IN have the more breath for story tellini