The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-04-05

.sT,hey passed beyond the far hin 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 tie road. The
trooper saw IL and was foolishly
pleased.
"Truem he cried. .'You are not such
fool MS thought YOU
He wheeled about aud joined his par
t.. and they all galloped away on the
road 10 NladikaulIas. while one OF the
men whom they sought sped away 70
the west and the other trudged along
behind them, a little picture II the gen
eral lpt OF humanity and the deceltful
guidance OF fate
For q matter OF three miles Darrell
walked ON, encountering 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 70 assail him
again. and he made a search OF two
houses without finding anything edl-
BILE. In the third he secured food
enough 10 keep him from the pains OF
starvation. but he would gladly have
had better AS he emerged from this
house he heard a trampling ia the road.
and presently from behind thick
growth Of low trees emerged the car
avian from which Kilziar had eXacted
such grinding tribute.
II came To Darrelrs mind that he
might make terms with the leader Of
this caravan and travel with Il toward
Vladikaukas Two OF the merchants
rode ahead bestridlng horses so good
! that Darrell wondered why Kllziars
soldiers had not appropriated them.
/ Between these horsemen was a 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
or the rider being occupied with the
stops OF 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 a hedge
row, a mere bundle OF spiky hair His
eyes were shifty and bright. looking
out close under the ragged rim Of a cap
OF shag-a man mentally deranged, as
any one might see, wanderer, proba-
bly,, fed for his music and his distorted
wit thar enhvened 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 road
and addressed one of the merchants
in Russian. walking along beside hi,
, horse.
II want TO travel with your party
he said. Il am going toward yladi
kaukas''
The merchant shook his head. bu
Darrell persisted saying:
81 have a bit OF money here. | don
! know what IL is worth. but II IL vii
pay for my food and ride part Of tn,
, 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 al
ventures and which up 10 this momen
! had been of remarkably little use I,
him.
where did you get thatT" demande,
the merchant.
"From a dead Russian on the battle
field near Gredskov," replied Darrell
is Il sufficient
The Turk might have taken the mon
ey without rendering any return; but
! fortunately, be possessed some small
; instinct OF honesty, perhaps only th
< traders notion OF a bargain.
"IIave you any moref" he demanded
NO" replied Darrell: that was al
i the man had IN his pocket except on
1 coin that have spent already"
. The merchant gravely put the none
) into his pocket. his partner meanwhil
! making a sign that indicated division.
!. eve viii give you food he said
!. "and you may enjoy our protection
> far as Vladlkaukas but fear there
/ no beast that you can ride upon. W
: travel however, M a foot pace
II will walk beside you responde
!, Darrell, and for some hundreds q
4 yards he did so in silence.
What was this battle Of Gredskovi
!, asked the merchant at last Il hay
4 heard. OF course. something OF IL, br
perhaps you can tell me more"
Darrell saw his opportunity. and :
became so entertaining IN his narri
! ton. large part Of IL wholly imaginar
that the merchant presently ordered u
!. mule for him TO ride that he migl
:, have the more breath for story tellin
=, The mule was a sorry beast, but he W.
a.sa