Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-07-12
you upon the prescribed ground Of Bo.


"You will then throw aside the ont
staff that can assist US over the dim
Guilty."
"What use can the robbers be to usT
"This fellow Palpak is chief Of clal
called Zannucks, who hate the ameel
and all those who are faithful to him
overheard them talking in the cave
It seems the ameer levies such e1
orbitant taxes that the Zannucks can
not pay. He taxes everything wives
children, cattle. That is the reason tht
chief seeks to rob the ameer and his
people-to reimburse the Zannucks
Palpak would not hesitate to help ut
If by helping US he could work injury
to the ameer. Grant the robbers thefl
freedom. Let them take their booty tc
their people on condition that they as
sist us in rescuing the girls"
"Set free robbers who have attacked
Russian paymasters"
"You said that you would not turr
back. Now you are trying to turn two
ways-one toward Tif1is, the other to
ward Bokhara. 1t will not do. If yor
wish to accomplish anything in thil
affair. you must 60 the whole figure
stake all and win or lose. That Is thu
way do business"
"What is your plan"
"Have Palpak brought here and lei
us talk with him in straightforward
businesslike way. Any man will hell
another II he can also benefit himself
by doing So"
81 leave it to you. Your head is full
Of plans, while mine is simply taken up
with thinking Of poor Koura."
81 think of Alma as much as you dc
of Koura. But simply thinking will
not rescue them. We must act, and act
quickly"
Orskoff sent for Nevisky. The lieu
tenant was pacing the bridge eager to
be off. He could not understand why
the captain did not hurry to Tiflis with
the prisoners instead Of wasting the
time chatting in an apparently friendly
way with one of them.
Lieutenant. have the chief robber
brought to me-" said the captain.
As Palpak was being led toward
them Orskoff said to Harvey: Conduct
the negotiations. will agree to any
thing you plan."
Orskoff ordered the irons removed
from the robber. When the three were
alone, Harvey said to Palpak:
"We have had you brought here to
have businesslike talk. You appre.
ciate your situation, suppose"
"I am q prisoner of the czar. he
will perhaps kill me-"
"Just so. And all Of your treasure,
the stealings Of many months. is on
board this boat"
Eyes, to enrich Russian officer. My
people can starve. The ameer's tax
must be paid or twenty Of our best
young men and women must 60 to
Bokhara. 1t is wrong"
"Of course 1t is wrong. We know
your people hate the ameer and that
the ameer is cruel. 1t was strange
chance that took me to that island of
Ping Shong."
"You saved my life, for my brothers
were mad with wine"
"Your future course will show wheth-
er I did we'll. Let me explain how I
came to the island"
Then followed a detailed rehearsal
of the story of Koura and Alma.
"They are beautiful girls" said
Harvey as he concluded. zone is to
be the wife of the captain; the other
is to be my wife,"
"Why do you tell me this? l am a
prisoner"
Because we want your assistance
in rescuing these two girls from the
men of Bokhara. They are your enc,
mics, and you have sufficient reason
to hate them"
"But do not love the Russians
more"
This is not a question of loving the
Russians. l saved your life, did not?'
81 would do anything for you"
Suppose you are set free and the
treasure is restored to you. The only
return we ask is that you give us al
the assistance in your power to recover
the two young women"
"Do you mean that the Russian will
permit me to depart in peace to my
people and take with me the treasure
that I stole?"
Eyes; to rescue the young girls we
will do that. The captain has promised
It."
"Do you agree" put in Orskoff an1
iously.
81 am not fool"
"That means you agree, Of course,
said Harvey. "The ameer Is the sliest
rascal in Asia, but our united brains
ought to be able to outwit him. Firs
we must figure out where the girls
probably are now"
"Where was the ameer's boat wher
you saw it?" asked Palpak eagerly.
II cannot say. l drifted all day ant
half the night before l reached the is
land. 1t went in the same direction
drifted."
"They were going to Siloon."
"What is Silicon"
"The most important port on the Bo
kharan shore 1t Is not Zannuck vii
lage, nor do the people like the ameer
They are for the greater part exiles
from Khiva."
Then they will not fight for th'
ameer"
mo, nor against him. They wisi
only to be let alone"