The Iola register., 1902-08-08

commanding to report to her. He did
so in person, and Darrell accompanied
him.
The princess was on horseback, upon
an animal that was n picture of grace
and n bundle of nerves. A splendid
horsewoman was Vera, and n glorious
sight to the eye; but, though she rode
astride, booted, spurred and armed, she
was not the least bit of an amazon.
She seemed to be In royal rage, and
Darrell was not surprised.
"Where is the rest of the forceW she
demanded of the general. "Why are
they not there In the west, holding
these Russians in trap"
81 know of no other force from
Gredskov," replied the general. 81 was
sent out with two regiments of cavalry
and orders to proceed along the main
road TO Nladkaukas until met by Il
detachment of your troops"
Vera seemed to find words made
quate. Suddenly she caught sight of
Darrell, who had succeeded during the
first halt in Kidding himself Of his
beard. and was thus recognizable. She
summoned him with gesture.
"How do you come TO be here" she
demanded.
81 took your order to Prince Kllziar,"
he replied.
'IIe received It, then? You saw 1t
delivcredY
Darrell bowed.
"You dlsobeyed my order in going"
she said.
"Excellency," he answered, 81 was
afraid the others might not get
through"
"Surely some Of them did So" And
she glanced in surprise from Darrell to
the general.
I'VE received no other word from
your excclcncy except through thlG
man." said the soldier simply.
"And what did Prince Kilzar say to
you?" asked Vera, turning to Darrell.
''As to the order, nothing" lie replied.
"As to what, thenY
"He asked me If 1t were true that an
American named Darrell had come to
Vladikaukas. seeking the khan's pro
lection. and had then been so unfortu-
nate as to lose your eXcellency's ia
vor, and | replied that such were the
| facts"
"Your Information was not altogeth-
er accurate" said Vera. Then. turning
to an officer, she gave orders for the
recall of the troops engaged in the use
less pursuit of the Russians.
The cavalry from Gredskov were
called up as an escort, and the princess
i would near your opinion OF this, -
she said abruptly.
"As to the small force sent by the
prlnce?" inquired Darrell. "EIe is n
good soldier, us you have often said.
He learned from my report to his Off
GER that a half dozen messengers be-
sides myself had been sent, and he
rightly judged that most of them had
| fallen into the hands of the enemy
| Though your order was in cipher, the
Russians would surely find some way
of interpreting it, and they would cX
pect an overwhelming force from Cred
! skov. Therefore, as the cooperation
for the taking of Vlndikaukas had fail
ed them, they would prepare for re
treat, slipping around that city, and at
the sight of n force of cavalry, appar
emily the advance guard of an army
they would quit this field. which Is eX
actly what has happened"
"Still l do not understand" said
Vera.
"If he had sent stronger force
replied Darrell, "you would have beer
encouraged to attempt to hold Nladl
kaukas ana would have again ordered
the advance of his army. Now you
cannot do 1t. You will be forced to fal
back upon Gredskov, which is what h,
desires"
"But why move southwark" shC
persisted. "Why retreat"
81 would not like to give an opinion,
answered Darrell. "To my poor view
Grcdskov Is II trap. The Russian
forces moving up from Tinis will hole
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