Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-07
"Do they own o bont?"

ant
"a Turkish bont is coming down, ex.
ceuency. do not know where II 10
going, hut these boats go anywhere.
Shall call thcm?'
yes. That's good sized boat. I
must get to Astrakhan."
But ii is difficult to talk at that dis
lance. If we take one OF these little
boats and 20 to meet them, 1t will be
better"
Good. I'll get on board and make
them take Inc TO Astrakhan. Come ON.
III pay you for your work"
Irons and the man got into a boat,
and it shot ont into the stream.
How is it that a Turkish boat plies
On this sea- asked Harvey.
There are a few only, excellency,
but the Osmanlis are everywhere. The
trade here Is rs good as OH the Black
sea"
Queer that the car permits the
Turks to compete with his own people
and l am not supposed to sell wind
mills"
1.-The little father is liberal. All
may sail upon the sea, but they must
not commit crimes"
You mean the slave trade? l have
heard it was abolished"
Yes. his majesty would not permit
ii. Many of the Circassian and Geor-
gian people gold their daughters to be
the wives Of wealthy Turks"
Hail that fellow"
"Ay-oo." shouted the peasant. "Stop"
"What do you want?" came a voice
from the vessel.
"Whither are you bound"
ITO Astrakhan."
dumping Jehoshaphat! What luckw
shouted Irons. Get me on board,
quick
"A passenger for Astrskhan" shout
ed the peasant Juggling away at the
paddles.
1--WE cannot TAKE passengers"
you've got one anyway" answered
Irons who could make himself under
stood in many eastern languages.
I'VE have no passenger on the boat"
1ame the reply.
NO but you will have one mighty
Soon," said Irons.
The little boat was almost directly in
the path of the sailing vessel. Irons
pulled his wallet from his pocket and
those some pieces of gold.
Pull in front of her; make her run
us down"
We shall be killed.
"No, we won't be killed. Do as
Jay"
He placed the gold on the bottom Of
The boat. The peasant sent the boat
hinder the very bows of the sailing yes
sell There was u shout of Allah on
board. and Irons. giving the little boat
Kick that sent it out of the way.
rasped the rugged outlines of the fig.
urehcad and swung himself on board
who arc you? What do you want"
demanded the captain.
II ain Harvey Irons, an American
who is going to Astrakhan on your
ship. want TO ascend the Nolga to
Mini Novgorod. What's your name,
may | ask? | always pay we'll for
services, especially when I compel
them"
Il am Hassan. am going to Astra-
bad"
you said you were going to As
trakh0n."
at was mistake, excelency.
meant to say the other"
"Nhy not go to Astrakhan:'
"Alas, valuable cargo awaits me al
Astrabad."
How valuable"
% = 81
gold"
"Well. you take me to Astrakhan and
III give you 800 piasters in gold. I,
won't take you long. You won't lose
that much on your cargo"
"Thc accused Giaour.' mutteret
Hassan to himself.
Harvey cooly watched the crew
Many tribes and tongues that bordered
On the Caspiaa were represented, anC
tome We're from distant countries
There were about twenty OF them, s
mean and disreputable looking lot.
u ana going to Astrakhan," he sale
10 himself, "even if | take possession
Of the old tub against the law. TIT
Russian government would not object
There isn't a real Russian on board"
"You must leave the vessel" sai(
Hassan.
80 / will--at Astrakhan," answered
Harvey. Now, look here, Hassan. m.
friend. It's no use ] must get TO AS
trakhan because I've got lot of valu
nble stuff there that l must overtake
No use growing; you've got to go +
Astrakhan or put me on board of boa
Mat is going there"
And will you pay me for that"
"Of course"
Hassan looked at his men. then a
Harvey. Certainly this dog of an ur
believer looked as if he could pay wei
Ii would do no harm to let MIN renal
Oil board. After disposing Of his col
cealed passenger he had no objection
70 making little more ready money.
Out upon the Caspian shot the vesse
and Harvey watched the lazy method
of the sailors. Five good men coul
have handled the boat In a storm.
took all twenty Of them to 90 1t
calm water.
Hassan thought to earn the none
by placing Harvey on another boa
He stood IN the bow and scanned tn
horizon. But all that day he saw nor
and began 10 get uneasy.
at seems he eyupCts n bOat to owe