Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-07-05

and presently from behind n thick
growth OF low trees emerged the car
AVIAN from which Kilziar had exactai
such grinding tribute.
1t came to DarrelPs mind that he
might make terms with the leader of
i this caravan and travel with II toward
! Vladikaukas. Two of the merchants
rode ahead. bestriding horses so good
that Darrell wondered why Kilziar's
soldiers had not appropriated them.
/ Between these horsemen was 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 a musical instrument some
what resembling the classic pipe, which
ne 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, 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, a wanderer, proba-
oly, fed for his music and his distorted
wit that enlivened the way. Darrell
would have said that the merchants.
after the loss OF their property and
their comrede, would have had little
appetite for the idiots piping, yet they
nonoreo him with a grave attention,
and when he ceased they uttered some
words that seemed to be commeDda.
tory.
Darrell stepped forward into the road
ano addressed one OF the merchants
N Russian. walking along beside his
horse.
want to travel with your party"
ne said. II am going toward Vladi-
kaukas"
The merchant shook his head. but
Darrell persisted. saying:
i have bit OF money here. 1 don't
know what IL Is worth. but n Il will
/, pay Tor my food and a ride part OF the
way upon horse or a camel
he displayed one OF the Russian
notes, taken from the roll OF money
which he had kept through all his adj
ventures and which up to this moment
had been OF remarkably little use to
him.
Where did you get that7' demanded
the merchant
From dead Russian on the battle
neld near Gredskov," replied Darrell.
rs II SUFFICIENT
The Turk might have taken the mon
ey without rendering any return; but-
fortunately. be possessed some small
instinct OF honesty. perhaps only the
traders notion OF a bargain.
lave you any moreT' 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 lbs pocket. his partner meanwhile
making Sign that indicated division.
we will give you food" he said.
and you may enjoy our protection as
far as Nlad'knGkas, tut I fear there Is
no beast that you can ride upon. We
travel. however. NJ foot pace"
i VIII walk beside you" responded
Darrell. and for some hundreds OF
yards he did so In silence.
what was this battle OF Grp,iskoy? p,
asked the merchant at last Il have
heard. or course. something OF Il. but
perhaps you can tell me more"
Darrell saw bis opportunity. aud he
became so entertaining In his nara.
ton. a large part OF IL wholly imaginary.
that the merchant presently ordered up
mule for him 10 ride that he might
nave 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 a cup of
palRtable wine.
thus they proceeded until near night
fall, when their march was interrupted
Dy the rush OF rider who came to-
ward them In cloud OF dust, pulling
his horse upon his launches at the mo-
ment when II seemed as if he intended
TO dash against the leaders Of the car
AVIAN. 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 apprised OF II. That the news was
alarming blind man might have seen:
also that 1t was wholly unexpected. The |
other merchants were summoned 70 a |
and IL was then that Oar