The Iola register., 1902-08-15


ed pltiably i'll. Behind her stood the
| tall amazon whom Darrell had seen ON
the vcranda in Vladiknukas, and the
! face of the stern and formidable old
woman was deeply lined with anxiety.
This is nero weariness," said Vera.
at is possible that l may have over
taxed my strength. l am resting 10
prepare me for the work that must
/ come tomorrow. There is plainly but
/ one course for US. Your report makes
/ that certainty doubly sure. We could
not surrender our comrades in arms
/ even IL our case were ten times more
1 desperate than 1t IS. We must break
through their lines
I'VE have no alternative" replied
Durham. Heaven prosper us!'
"Our plans are already made" said
| Prince Kilziar. who was present with
several of his most trusted officers.
81 wish, however. that we could delay
their attack for twenty-four hours"
"There is no possible chance of It,"
answered General Durham. 1--WE may
as we'll dismiss the thought"
"Your pardon, general" said Darrell;
"I have reason to believe that l can nc
complsh so much at least. / am in Il
| position TO exert personal influence up
on General Getchikoff."
Kllziar regarded Darrell with n
scowl. Since the opening of the siege
they had been on terms of armed neu-
trality.
what is the nature OF that innu-
enceY asked the prince.
"If ! disclose it TO any one" answer
ed Darrell, "it ceases to be valid. You
must take my word in the dark that II
exists"
"This does not greatly encourage
me-" rejoined Kilziar.
Nevertheless" said Vera, "Mr. Oar
rells plan should be tried. If he can
prolong the negotiations for II day, we
shall have better roads for our march
westward, and the enemy Will gain
nothing"
- require no more than permission
20 speak with General Getchikon
alone" said Darrell.
"You will not get It from him."
growled Kilziar. Il think we waste
time"
Darrell merely bowed. He had
caught the eye Of General Durham and
was satisfied by glance that he would
have no obstacle put in his way when
the conferees should meet again on
the morrow. Vera had seen this by
play, and she also remained silent.
Durham presently withdrew and Dar-
rell with him. They walked together
IN silence toward point of the fortlh-
cations which commanded what must
be the field Of their endeavor If they
should make the attempt TO cut the
Russian lines.
There seemed to be n considerable
movement Of the Russian troops.
"Thcy are closing I'm Bit" said Dur
ban after u long look through his field
glasses. Upon my word, they are not
all dead Of fever"
General" said Darrell, "you are an
old soldier and good one. Have we II
chance"
"None whatever" replied the gem
eral, with impressive calm. "Thc
formation of the country enables the
enemy TO plant guns beyond our range,
yet sweeping every road by which we
can move out. There Is no way for
us to get our own guns into effective
action, for they would shoot us Off the
face of the earth while we were linn
bering up. Only the merest rags Of
our army would ever get through, and
they could never get together again
into an effective military body. a
picked force might surround the prin-
cess and carry her to safety, but the
chances would be against it,"
"Do you think that Is what Prince
Kllzinr means TO dor
Il know not" answered Durham,
"but this / know-whatever he intends,
1t is not what he says"
Further than that the general de-
cllned to speak, and the two men fell
to praisng Il gorgeously beautiful sun
set which might well be the last that
they would ever see.
"By the way" said Durham as they
were about to separate, you shall have
your chance with Getchikoff tomorrow.
What do you hope to accomplish-a
days delayY
81 fear | can do little" answered
Darrell. "The situation essentially in
wolves defeat, whether In battle or ne
gotlation. KilZiar and his friends are
the rock on which my hopes are wreck
ed"
"There might be a way to get them
out Of the camp" said Durham, staring
gloomily at the black preclpices behind
the town.
ut would do no good" answered
Darrell. "Unless they are delivered up
the Russians win take the city. Sooner
or later they viii surely take it, and
that means massacre, 1t means the
death of the princess, whom you and
would give our lives to save, for rest
assured she viii not be made prisoner