Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-07-08
CHAPTER XIV.
FOUR GENTLEMEN OF WEALTH.

was hiS ooh6SAt hS aN6AANS NSN
1t as nothing compared to the danger
that threatened Alma. He was al
most exhausted from hunger, cold and
grief. The boat slowly drifted in a
southern direction. making toward the
eastern side Of the Caspian. 1t drift
ed out Of the ordinary course Of navi-
cation, and he watched In vain for a
passing vessel. He watched as long
as possible the course Of the ameer's
sloop and reasoned that it was making
for the nearest Bokharan port. Night
came on. with no rescuing vessel In
sight. Hour after hour he drifted,
hoping almost against hope, ever think
ing Of Alma and of way to help her.
About midnight IL seemed to him that
the rocking motion Of the boat had
ceased; that it had become stationary.
"Here Is pretty mess" he exclaim-
ed II wonder If this old hulk has run
aground. The Caspian is shallow, but
l did not think a boat like this could
run aground in the middle Of it"
Al examination in the dark was not
easy. holNCJ ooWh IAO PAAS Va
hay, cropping about with one hand
while he clung for safety with the 9TH
er. He fancied he saw q faint light
glimmering some distance from him,
but it disappeared as suddenly as II
had come. He saw the light again, q
quick passing from one point to anoth'
er, but showing for moment only.
"Now. that light Is not on vessel"
Harvey reasoned. 1T is lantern car
ried around by person who is walking
on land. If drifted aground here, GER
tainly there cannot be water enough al
that place to float any kind Of vessel
I've probably drifted on the shore OF
some island. Is 1t hospitable island,
or will l be worse off in the clutches OF
the inhabitants than where am? The
wind may drive me off again before
morning and vessel pick me up. But
would the vessel be any safer than this
island? And how can I investigate
without attracting attention."
Soon there was another gleam OF
light such as might come through an
open door from light within. A man
was standing between Harvey and the
light. he seemed to be looking toward
the hayboat, but soon disappeared into
the same place from which came the
mysterious light.
"It IS an island" said Harvey. II am
now resting on shoal. and the water
cannot be very deep between this and
the island. I'll swim ashore and risk
It."
He removed some Of his clothing,
made bundle Of it and slid off into
the water. To his surprise he could
stand on bottom. Carefully he felt his
way. For a short distance the water
grew more shallow. Then it got deep.
er, and he was forced to swim. After
a short swim he again felt the ground
under his feet, and he waded on to dry
land. The shore was sandy.
He moved slowly and cautiously. 1t
was difficult to locate where the light
had been. He groped along, wander
ing.in many curves. Trees were on the
island. but he could see no trace Of a
building. After cropping some time In
the darkness he discovered what ap-
peared to be rock about five feet
high. Feeling the surface Of this, he
found that it was not solid rock, but
a rocky formation with an opening on
one side. Lying fat on the ground
and peering In. he saw light far III
the earth. apparently from lantern
hung on a peg. He slowly crawled in
side the cave. After advancing for
several feet he found that he could
stand up and walk.
A voice came from behind shelter
Of the rocky wall that projected into
the chamber. 1t pleased Harvey that
1t was not the voice Of Russian, for
Russians were the only people he had
any reason to fear.
II have spoken" said calm, stern
voice within the concealed chamber.
II have given the treasure as it should
be given"
But. no. my brother" came voice
that seemed to Harvey to tremble with
emotion. 1t was q harsh, cold voice,
not like the other. You have done
we'll for yourself. You have done well
for the clans in the mountains. But
we have not Jared as we should. Was
it not our courage that made the accu-
mutation Of this booty possible?"
"Yes; that is So" answered the first
speaker. But l am Palpak, chief Of
the Zannucks, and it was / who plan
ned everything. The wealth that came
from the ameer's people we were COM
PEELED to hide here until the ameer's
soldiers had finished their search
among our villages, and the wealth
that came from the Buddhist temples,
which we found the most valuable Of
all. and the gold that came from the
paymasters of the Russian soldiers
whom we attacked and robbed. All
these are mine-mine! Do you under
stand, Domitan? 1t was Palpak, the
chief, who in the interest Of all his
people, downtrodden as they are by
the wicked ameer, strove to gain that
with which we could buy horses and
cattle and make the Zannucks wealthy.
I have given. you enough. The rest
must be divided among the people"
NO" said third voice, thick and
cultural. "Domitan Is right. Palpak,
though you be chief. We were with
you in all the ventures. 1t is not right
that you should rob us now"