The Iola register., 1902-07-11

dence that such n thing existed. About
midnight they halted in the midst of n
deep wood and there lay down to sleep.
1t was hunger that Weakened Darrell,
and bis first consciousness was OF an
anxious attempt to remember when he
had last had food. 1t seemed lapse
of weeks. He threw n bit of wood at
Kevski. who was slumbering heavily
on a bank of moss, and the Russian,
sitting up. with blinking eyes. laid
hand upon the region Of his empty
stomach and groaned.
Kevski struggled to his feet and
stumbled up out of the little hollow in
which they had slept. He vanished
among the trees, but returned present
ly TO say that he had got his bearings
and believed that he knew where food
could be obtained.
"wait here" said he. "and viii
bring you some. If we both forage,
we shall never meet again, for you do
not know the country. II is necessary,
therefore, for you to remain In place
that l can find again"
Darrell agreed, and Kevski struck or
among the trees at a good pace. An
hour passed. Darrell began to expert
ment with the bark of a tree that had
an agreeable odor, but was not particu-
larly nourishlng. The time dragged
along until Darrell felt sure that it was
past noon. The situation was becom-
Ing serious He ventured out of the
hollow little way in the direction that
Kevski had taken, but could gain no
hint of what had become of him. The
sun began to sink toward the west.
Darrell was positively starving. 1t
seemed impossible to wait longer. Ell
ther Kevski had been captured or had
hopelessly lost his way.
AS evening approached Darrell left
his hiding place and struck out in the
general direction taken by Kevski. He
proceeded with caution, for in reality
he was between two foes. If captured
In that region by the Circassians, he
would be taken back to Gredskov
where his fate was certain. and If by
Russian troops advancing, or moving
/ toward any point of concentration, lac
stood the chance Of being identified as
an escaped prisoner, with consequences
| not much preferable to death.
| His progress was slow, but bit by bit
/ he opened wider the space between
him and Grcdskov, going always TO.
ward Vladikaukas. Hour after hour
with lis senses alert, he kept ON, till
hc reached a road.
1t was a ~tarllr night ana careful
search proved tmt There were uo -.l
dicrs 90 Doe scou i'm either direction IlD
took the road. but kept within tu,
T shadow of some trees that marked III,
boundary of pasture lands along Il.
After travelling a few miles in this
way he came to IA farmhouse. lie had
not had morsel to eat since the bom'
bardment of Gredskov had commenced
Danger lay within the farmhouse, bul
starvation lay without He crept near
er and nearer, listened for dogs, but
the place was wrapped in the silence
OF the topb.
The door of the house was wide open
He knew that folk of any kind If sleep
ing there would not have their doors
open when armies swarmcd around
He walked boldly in.
Darrell had no matches, nor did hC
find any. The light from the stars
came in but feebly, and he groped il
the darkness. seeking food, but the bes
that he found was n half loaf Of dry
bread. With this and water from the
well he made n meal, and then, utterly
exhausted he threw himself upon {
rude couch and went to sleep.
He awoke with the sun and began {
search through the house. 1t was {
rude affair Of mud and a kind of baket
clay. 1t consisted of n story and low
attic above. In a cellar which was {
mere hole in the rock upon which tn,
house was built he found some driet
meat and fish and few bottles of ma
tive liquor, strong and harsh. 1t wal
not difficult to remember better meal
but few had ever satisfied create
need.
Refreshed by the hard fare, he wa!
about to continue his way toward Via
dikaukas when suddenly he wa'
aware of the trampling Of many hoofi
on the road that ran before the house
and through window he beheld ;
considerable body Of cavalry advanc
ing. Among the officers at the head o
the column he deserted, to his ute
amazement, the burly form and harsl
countenance Of Prince I<ilziar.
This road must be n main highway
but what had brought Kilzlar out o
Gredskoy? AS this thought ran through
Darrell's mind he saw the column hal
directly before the house, and Kilziar
dismounting, walked straight towarC
the door.