Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-07-19
CHAPTER xxi.


~ lOMITANS caravan came on
I'LL slowly, for the men were
Ed6x walking. They had sent a
s9s&S portion Of the force round
another way to get the horses that had
been left on the cliff.
Domitan and his captains rode ahead
mounted on horses they had taken
from the Bokharans. Following came
the little army, struggling along In
anything but military style. laughing,
singing and celebrating their victory.
1t was Domitan's watchful eye that
discovered two bowed and bent priests
resting by the wayside, their great
hoods concealing their faces except
for the eyes.
ut is WELL" he said to one of his
captains, 'that on the first day Of my
chieftainship meet with two holy
men upon the way. will give them
aims and have their blessings upon
me-"
"Most holy fathers. holy ones OF the
sun, bless me-" he said, "for am but
today the chief of the Zannucks."
81 bless you" said Harvey, with
weak and trembling voice as he pock.
eted the gold. 1--WE are weary, and
the temple is far. Hast thou no seat
for us on a camel? I see there are two
with apparently but little load"
1T is we'll that thy presence augurs
good" said Domitan In sort Of ex-
ultation. "These camels bear the one
who will be my bride and the one who
will be the bride Of my brother. Sure
ly 1t will be we'll for us If the holy
men ride with them. Come"
He went back to the camels and
commanded them to kneel.
"Holy companions wilt thou have,
my sweet ones" he said. "These holy
men have blessed me, and I have
made them presents. I shall win great
victories"
Harvey got into the howdah by the
side Of Alma, and Orskoff, with ap-
parent feebleness, climbed in with
Koura. The camels rose to their feet
again, and Domitan proudly led on. II
was not every day that a chieftain
had two lamas in his caravan.
Orskoff was fidgety. He knew that
when they reached the monastery they
would be expected to leave, but he had
faith that Harvey would surmount the
difficulty. He saw Harvey scanning
the sky and mumbling and making
peculiar signs. Harvey called to Domi'
tan, and the chief rode back.
II see mysterious signs in the heav.
ems" said Harvey in a manner that
would inspire awe. 81 see but an
hours ride from this spot a band Of
soldiers Of the ameer coming to give you
battle. They are mighty men and arm
ed. have blessed thee, and therefore
thou wilt surely win. But these ten.
der children must not be taken into
danger II thou wouldst have them for
wives. Take thy fighting men and 60
meet the foe. We will remain here,
where it Is SAFE"
How many of the ameer's soldiers
dost thou see, holy one?"
"Ten score Of horse"
1--WE are their equals. We will obey
thee, holy one, leaving only enough to
guard thee"
He appointed an officer and part OF
q company to remain to guard and led
the remainder on to meet the foe. The
caravan came to halt. The cameld
laden with merchandise were brought
up, and the soldiers put aside their
arms to make camp.
"Now, you gallant Russian" shouted
Harvey as he turned his camel and
gave 1t a prick with the blade Of his
knife. The beast few like the very
wind toward Silicon, with Koura's cam.
ell in hot pursuit.
Cries of rage and CONSERVATION rose
from the soldiers. A few shots were
fred, but no bullet touched them. On,
on, they went. Nothing stayed the mad
fight. The howdahs rocked and sway
ed and the girls became dizzy. Harvey
uoaded his camel to the utmost. he
could picture to himself soldier on
The best horse sent to inform Domitani
the chiefs wild ride back in pursuit.
his awful rage when he knew he had
been duped; his murderous desire FOR
revenge. Harvey gritted his teeth and
sped the camel ON. Many a long jour
ney had he taken OH the beasts and
knew well the handling of them.
Thus they raced on the feetest cam.
els in all Bokhara. For ten hours they
kept up the pace. Then he knew 1t
would be safe to rest, for the best
horse Domitan possessed could not
overtake them.
Then on again for hours they sped
along the pass; then another stop for
water and fruit. They passed a shep'
herds cottage. and he gave them a
good meal.
That's enough" said Harvey. "Tbat
will do till we reach Silicon. There's
plenty on the gunboat."
On again they went. Stacking the
pace but little. They reached Siloou
in two days. The caravan was four
days in making the distance.
Silicon was agape with astonishment
when it saw the camels Of the ameer