Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-10
CHAPTER MI.
THROUGH THE RUSSIAN LINES.

M3RN LEN There was q bridge
h tSSWCS1 formed of single
ZS2Y stone arch, and the
MHHSeISB bushes grew close up
to the sides Of 1t.
The voices Of soldiers standing upon
the bridge were audible as Darrell crept
I'D In the shadow. and he could hear
the tramp Of many feet. A regiment
was marching. but not upon the high
way. There must be a road intersect.
ing It and running parallel to the pres
ent course Of the stream.
The stream was so high that 1t left
only a fringe of wet rocks on each side
of the arch, and Darrell worked his
way along with considerable difficulty.
He succeeded in getting through with
no worse misfortune than hard fall
on the rocks. and presently he was
again within the shelter Of the trees
beside the water. A hundred yards far
ther along. the stream bent sharply to
the left and passed under the road
upon which the troops were marching
1t was not an easy task to elude Oh,
servation under such circumstances
and Darrell narrowly escaped squad
OF soldiers that had taken advantage OF
q halt to fill their canteens. He lay
within ten feet Of them for many min
utes and overheard snatches Of their
conversation. from which lie learned
that this force had conre by rail to
point not far north Of Vladikaukas and
had made circuit Of the city. that II
was composed Of troops from the prov
ince Of Stavropol and that 1t was de-
pending upon re-enforcements concern
ing which there was rumor OF delay.
The men were recalled ut last. and
Darrell passed the second bridge. A
little later he assembled Oil beside the
stream. and. being overcome with
WEAKNESS. he lay down to sleep just
as the moon began to light the sky In
the east. He awoke at daybreak. stiff
with cold and painfully lame as a re-
suit Of his fall upon the rocks. Hob
bling to the edgy Of the trees. he found
that he had accidentally chosen a spot
singularly favorable for observation.
Despite the roughness of the region.
Darrell could see almost the entire ex-
tent of the Russian force The line
as he saw 1t was about two miles long.
and doubtless there were skirmishers
beyond his vision. There seemed to be
between 5000 and G.000 men. nearly all
infantry. The center was on the main
highway from Vladikaukas to Cred
skov. and there had been great changes
in the disposition Of the force during
the latter part Of the night. The way
by which Darrell had come was now
the least practicable that his eye could
discover. yet he could see other places
where a man might pass aided by the
roughness Of the country and the dark
ness Of night.
His proximity to the line was an
princess. Then he saw nothing but
Vera. She had grown much older In
these months, aud her face revealed
lines that belonged not to its years.
Yet she seemed to have borne her hard
ships without loss of health. Her color
was good and her eyes were wonderfully
bright. Her shoulders were covered by
a gold embroidered cape that did not
lack a feminine suggestion. But Oar.
rell saw under the table two riding
boots that might have been q mans cX-
cept that they were not big enough,
and at the tops Of them baggy trousers
like Turks.
IN. Darrell" said Vera in French
and very coldly. as he thought, Il re-
gret to hear Of your msfOrtunes,
though l do not yet understand how
they could have happened. Re assur-
ed, however, that you are safe within
our lines and that shall soon find a
way by which you can return to
France"
with your permission, excellency,"
replied Darrell, that Is the least Of
my anxieties."
Il do not comprehend" said she.
81 will 60 where you send me-" he
answered, whether to France or else
where, If it be upon your service. but l
wish you might find use for me nearer
at hand"
ut may be so," said she, inclining
her head In such way that. In obedi-
ence to the nod, he stepped aside. per-
mitting korna to advance.
"EXcellency," said korna, IL have to
report that when your order regarding
Mr.. Darrell was brought to Gredskov
it was delivered to Inc as all officer of
Prince Kilziar's staff. The prince was
then outside the city for the purpose
Of overtaklng a caravan which, hay-
ing come through the pass, was en-
deavoring to escape without paying
toll to our cause. Believing the mat
ter urgent, rode out and attempted to
deliver the order. The prince refused
to receive 1t, and when | insisted he
attacked ME with Lis sword. We were
alone together-or supposed ourselves
to he so-in q room Of farmhouse by
the highway, but through strange
coincidence Mr.. Darrell was concealed
in a room overhead. He came to my
assistance, and we both escaped, leav-
Ing the order In the princes hands. |
have come here to seek your excel
lency's protection"
The situation involved more points
Of military etiquette than Vera felt
able to decide offhand. and she looked
out Of the corner Of her eye at the gen,
eral, who stood by the end Of the table.
She felt q woman's sudden resentment
that her order should have been treated
with disrespect, but also she was moved