The Iola register., 1902-08-15

scntnuve OF the khan, and 1 am going
with him."
"Will you take this message to the
princessW said Darrell 81 believe that
my presence with General Durham may
be of the greatest value to the Circas-
Sian army, and l beg of her ns the
greatest favor she can ever grant me
that | may be permitted to form one Of
the generals escort"
Darrell waited I'm great anxiety for n
reply to this plea, and he was deeply
gratlhed when Korna returned with
word that he could go-in Il coloncl's
uniform.
"Durban was consulted" said Korna,
"and he seemed pleased. The man has
taken great fancy TO YOU"
"Thank heaven | have cultivated his
acquaintance during this SIEGE" re-
piled Darrell.
The conference was held in tent
pitched ON n hillside midway between
the lines. The rain had recommended,
and Il rivulet could be heard running
under the rough floor Of boards. Upon
entering Darrell had seen first the tall
figure of General LyOf Panin, the Rus
sian commander. lie must have been
n man of fine presence at his best, but
now his visage was grotcsqucly rcd
dcned with fever and his eyes had al
most the look of madness. BY his side
stood Ivan Getchllon, the man whom
Darrell had hoped to see. Yet he was
greatly surprised to note from the first
fornalties that Getchilioff was the
ranking officer present aside from Pa
min. His uniform showed that he had
been advanced another grade in the
short time since Darrell had seen him
in Gredskoy, probably because he was
the son of his distinguished father
rather than for his own merits Yet
there should have been many who
would rank him in so considerable an
army. Doubtless the hill fever nc
counted for their absence, and Darrell
remembered Korna's saying that the
disease Frustrated men past forty.
The conference opened with a plain
statement from General panin. lie
showed Il good knowledge Of the con-
dition of the besicged, especially in the
matter Of food supply, ana he pointed
out with an old soldiers precision the
ultimate fall Of the garrison.
Your battle is lost" he said. "It is
wise for you to make terms. l speak
with the full authority of my gov
ernmcnt when l say that peace Is the
principal aim sought. The mlldness Of
the former ear in dealing with the
revolt that was quelled in 'GG should be
known to You all. The same policy
will be pursued today If hostillties are
Mt once suspended. There is no crav-
ing for revenge if n full submission is
made. We demand the delivery Of the
following prisoners. who have been
leaders in this insane undertaking."
Here he read list beginning with
Prince K!lziar and ending with "the
person styling himself Motman Khan"
The others were officers directly asso-
ciatcd with the prince, ana Durham
himself was not one of them, to his
own great surprise. Judging from the
list, the purpose Of RUSSIA was 60 Sc
cure men who had held military COM
missions in her service Mt the time Of
the uprising, as Durham had not. The
net was spread for traitorous soldiers.
Upon the surrender of these persons,
PHnin continued, with the arms and
armament Of the force, a general pa
role would be granted, ana the troops
would be permitted 90 return to their
homes, supplies and means of protec-
tion during the journey being guar
antced.
The terms were surprisingly liberal,
but thoY Mere nbsOlutOlY imDossihle