Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-07-12

Il have some news for you. Come
close. The ,Muscovites are coming!''
Let us be shrewd," said the man on
the black boat. Let not the Musco-
vite see us together. What have you?
Have you seen Nizik?"
Eyes; 1t is that for which Mink went
to Tiflis. Hurry! If the Muscovites
catch me, shall be shot!"
"And what Of me?' asked the other.
"Karakal is not yet weary Of this
life"
The lateen sail was drawn to the
wind, and the black boat shot away.
Courses upon those towards! What
shall doY' walled Hassan. Then,
turning in fury upon Harvey. he bawl.
ed out:
This is because of you, miserable
dog of Giaour! If they do not seize
me. 1 will kill you! Allah. Allah be
praised! Allah, III Allah! Mohammed
Resoul Ullah!"
Strikes me you'd better be saying
God be merciful to me, a sinner"
said Harvey. you've been up to
something mean, I'll bet dollar. You
have got the most evil face ever saw
on a man. wonder IL it is SNUG.
Cling"
There was no use trying to get away.
The slow old tub was no match for
the gunboat. The hull was growing
larger every minute. Soon pun of
smoke was seen on the gunboat's deck,
boom was heard, and shot bounded
three times on top Of the water and
sank few feet from Hassan's boat.
"By Jove! They'll sink this hulk
with me in itv' exclaimed Harvey.
Don't wonder that Hassan is afraid"
The entire crew stood with folded
arms. Their anxious eyes rested on
Hassan's face, and their expressions
were but reflections Of his own. Has
san gave command, and the boat
swung round and waited. A small
boat from the gunboat was soon up
close, and two officers came aboard.
you beastp exclaimed one. "What
do you mean by sneaking away in the
night?"
Hold on, my friend" said Harvey,
for the officer had looked at him while
speaking. II don't sneak. don't
know what you want, but you are seri-
ously interfering in my business. I
have engaged this man to take me to
Astrakhan."
"Astrakhan! But why did you leave
Tifiis in the night7"
"Tifis? haven't been to Tifis."
"This boat left Tiflis In the night
three-four nights ago."
with that have nothing to do. I
Joined the boat at Salain and bargain
ed with this man, who seems to be in
command, to take me to Astrakhan or
put me aboard boat that was going
there"
"Is that true, osmanli9' asked the
officer.
at is true, o great representative of
the greatest ruler on earth except the
padishah."
"Then tell me why you left Tifis in
the night"
20 great one, will tell you what
happened. 1t is strange tale that I
can scarcely believe myself. Perhaps
1t is not known to thee, O great one,
that I brought cargo of goods to
Tifis, which sold to the bazaars. I
had been waiting for cargo to take to
Astrakhan, for there awaits me there a
valuable cargo for Astrabad. dis
covered some Of the finest linen, and as
wished to sail early in the morning
went to the bazaar of Ignatz Biartelkis
and told him what had found. He
and his lovely daughter at once re-
turned with me to the boat. I placed
some wine before them and went to
get some of the linen. I was seized
and knocked down and some cloth
was stuffed in my mouth. / heard the
merchant speaking and also the girl
scream, but was bound securely and
could not go to the relief Of this young
lady. did not know what her father
was doing, but could hear him speak
ing loudly and harshly. In the morn
Ing two strangers came to me and said
they had taken command Of my boat.
They did not permit me to go far from
them, and through me they gave orders
to the men. We sailed from Tiflis, and
at small place just before we reached
ealain these men lett the boat. But
they ordered me to take the girl to
Astrakhan. They also said that at
Salain Giaour would get on board
and that he would go to Astrakhan
also, but belieyed that something was
wrong and refused to take him. At
Salain this man did come out from the
wharf and came on board at the risk
Of his life and insisted upon being car
ried to Astrakhan. He asked II had
the young lady, and told him no.
was about to put them on board that
boat when saw your smoke and be-
lieyed it was wisest to wait and tell
you the truth"
us that true? Could you under
Btand?" the officer asked Of Harvey.
"That part concerning me is all true
except that I asked for no young lady.
have heard Of no young lady since I
came on the boat"
Where is this young lady?" asked
the officer.
81 will bring her to you." said Has-
san.
He went into the cabin and soon re.
turned with Koura, who gave scream
Of delight when she saw the Russian
officer.
"oh, my father! What have they
done to him?'
'That is to be learned. He was at
tackled by two men who remained on
the boat until it nearly reached the
Caspian. What do you know about
this strange matterYs