Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-07

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, little picture Of the gen.
eral lot Of humanity and the deceitful
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 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 he would gladly have
had better. AS he emerged from this
house he heard q trampling In the road.
and presently from behind thick
growth Of low trees emerged the car
avan from which KilZiar had eXacted
such grinding tribute.
1t came to Darrelrs mind that he
might make terms with the leader of
this caravan and travel with it toward
| Vladikaukas. Two of the merchants
rode ahead, bestriding horses so good
that Darrell wondered why Kilziars
soldiers had not appropriated them.
Between these horsemen was remark.
| able figure mounted on 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 a musical instrument some
what resembling the classic pipe, which
he was playing Justify and with no lit
tie skill, the melody being weird mi
nor strain, absurd. yet fascinating.
The mans face was almost complete
ly covered by beard rough as hedge
! row, a 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 enllvened 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 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 his
horse.
Il want to travel with your party"
he said. 81 am going toward Vladi.
kaukas."
The merchant shook his head. but
Darrell persisted, saying:
81 have bit Of money here. don't
know what it is worth, but If it will
pay for my food and ride part of the
way upon horse or camel'-
He displayed one of the Russian
notes. taken from the roll of money
which he had kept through all his ad-
ventures and which up to this moment
had been Of remarkably little use to
him.
Where did you get that?" demanded
the merchant.
"From a dead Russian on the battle
field near Gredskov," replied Darrell.
rs it sufficient?"
The Turk might have taken the mon
ey without rendering any return; but,
fortunately. he possessed some small
instinct Of honesty. perhaps only the
traders notion Of bargain.
Have you any more" he demanded.
"No." replied Darrell; that was all
the man had in his pocket except one
coin that have spent already"
The merchant gravely put.the money,
into his pocket. his partner meanwhile
making sign that indicated division.
I'VE will give you food" he said,
land you may enjoy our protection as
far as Vladikaukas. but fear there Is
no beast that you can ride upon. We
travel. however. at a foot pace"
81 will walk beside you," responded
Darrell. and for some hundreds OF
yards he did so in silence.
What was this battle Of Grcdskov"
asked the merchant at last. II have
heard. Of course. something Of 1t. but
perhaps you can tell ME more"
Darrell saw his opportunity. and he
became so entertaining in his nara
ton. large part of it wholly imaginary,
that the merchant presently ordered up
mule for him to ride that he might
have the more breath for story telling.
The mule was a sorry beast, but he was
q relief from walking. and Darrell was
well content, the more because he got
some food for the asking and q cup of
palatable wine.
Thus they proceeded until near night
fall, when their march was interrupted
by the rush Of q rider who came to-
ward them in cloud Of dust. pulling
his horse upon his launches at the mo-
ment when it seemed as if he intended
to dash against the leaders Of the car
avan. This man was a scout who
rode ahead, and he was the more zeal
Gus because he had been trapped once
that day by Kilziar's men and had CIV
en- no warning Of danger.
What he had to communicate this
time Darrell did not hear until the two
merchants who rode with the van had
been appriscd Of it. That the news was
alarming blind man might have seen;
| alSo th0t II waS wholly unpXDected The