Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-21
Wild animal If, indeed, It was not a

find Captain Varnek, for whom he as
serted that he had an important mes
sage.
If Darrell had declared that his busi-
ness was with Prince Kilzlar. 1t might
have been looked upon as the custom
ary delusion of ''crank," and had he
shown the Princess Vera's order at
such an early stage of the proceedings
other hands than his would probably
have delivered it. Therefore he had
named Varnek, the officer who had
been charged with his execution, whom
Korna had described as a friend-cer-
tainly q man devoted to the khan and
well suited to be Darrells intermediary
In this matter.
1t appeared. however, when they
were within the city that Captain Var
mex was not an easy man to find. Dar-
rell's guide was directed here and there
with the greatest positiveness in each
case, but always wrongly, and Darrell
was on the point Of attempting direct
communication with Kilziar when the
problem was solved In an unexpected
manner.
In the open space beside the prison
great crowd was gathered, and as Dar-
rell and his guard passed in the course
Of their search they heard the sound OF
music and saw in the midst Of the
throng a considerable body Of troops
drawn up in hollow square. Two tall
dmbers with crossbar oil top seemed
to define most dismally the occasion Of
this gathering.
"An execution" asked Darrell. "For
what crimeT
81 heard the fellow had assisted the
escape Of a prisoner condemned by or
der Of the prince" was the reply. HE
used to be turnkey in that prison"
"Did you hear his name?"
"Kevski, or something like that" an
swered the man indifferently.
"They will hang him!" exclaimed
Darrell in horror at the fate of this
man to whom he owed his own life.
"By the feet" replied the soldier. u
believe there's some idea of getting
confession out of him, and when you
hang man by the neck he hasn't SO
much time to think the matter over.
could never understand why people
should want to see such thing" And
he pointed to the crowd with ges-
ture of contempt that did him much
credit.
Darrell was already breaking through
the crowd. and in half minute he had
come up to the thin line Of soldiers by
which 1t was restrained. At that mo-
ment the unfortunate Kevski was
hoisted up, his feet bound together, the
rope by which he was supported being
made fast between them. He swung
at first but little clear of the ground,
his hands bound behind his back, his
body slowly twirling on the rope.
This barbarity Is not uncommon In
that region, and 1t has terrifying ele.
ment Of uncertainty, for the amount OF
torture inflicted by it can never be
known in advance, since 1t depends
upon the endurance Of the individual.
Men have lived incredibly long and
have endured indescribable torments,
while others have passed beyond pain
In q few minutes.
It is always a new wonder to the
most experienced that such spectacle
can be given the aspect Of an enter
tainment. yet here was the band bray.
ing as If to gather spectators for
mountebank's performance, and here
were the people striving for the best
places. Jests were far easier to hear
than expressions Of sympathy, though
these citizens Of Gredskov. bred under
an alien rule, had no knowledge Of pub
lie punishments for Justices sake, but
only as the cruelties Of an irresponsible
tyrant.
The band ceased with a rattle Of
brass, and the next instant Darrell was
inside the line of soldiers, holding to
his lips the pipes Of Musef, from which
there seemed to issue a shrill and lively
tune. The thing was so quickly done
that no one raised hand to stop him
as he began to march with crazy dig
nifty in the direction Of the musicians.
The crowd laughed, the soldiers waited
for an order, and the officers, seeing no
harm done, hesitated to give it.
"You do not play so badly" said Dar-
rell, lowering his pipe and addressing
the leader Of the band, "but my music
is much more popular"
He waved his hand in the direction
Of the crowd, which rewarded him
with cheers and laughter The band
master turned an eye upon the colonel
Of the regiment, who had wheeled his
horse in that direction. He was man
of jovial aspect, and he seemed to be
somewhat the worse for liquor. Oar.
rell judged him to be not averse to this
comedy and was not deceived when
the officer, with q great affectation Of
wrath, waved his naked sword over the
piper's head and then brought it down
with a wide sweep to light, fatwise, on
the offenders back. 1t was not q very
safe trick, for the Circasslan swords
are sharp as raZors.
Upon my word" exclaimed the off,
Ger, observing that Darrell did not even
wink, "you don't scare easily"
81 haven't sense enough" responded
Darrell. "Only the wise are afraid;
the others are soldiers"
"You mean that soldiers are fools?'
demanded The officer. grasping this