The indicator., 1904-07-30


IN who seemed to be of n race
they looked upon as enemies
yet their chief, Palpak, treated these
men as friends. Palpak was chief who
gave no explanations of his acts, and
when he demanded horses for himself,
his brothers and his friends they were
at once forthcoming.
Domitan. the brother who had been
20 eager to kill Palpak, was morose
and showed but little favor to the
guests. The latter, confident that their
plans would be successful treated him
considerably. They thought not OF
the risk they ran in going, with rob.
bers for escort, into country from
which few travellers had ever return.
ed. The moving power was love. and
love laughs at danger.
From the village winding path led
from the low shore land to distant
range Of hills. Along this their prog
ress was rSbid; but, arriving at the
bills, they found rugged, rocky road
over which travelling was slow. The
small horses Of the Zannucks were
sturdy animals and went unshod over
the Jagged stones that covered the mar.
row path.
The natives stared Mt them in amaze.
ment. A Russian officer in uniform
accompanying their chief on terms OF
friendship, was scene they had never
contemplated. Some thought Orskofl
was prisoner, though he did not act
like one. Harvey seemed actually to be
the leader
Hidden among great knolls and Sc.
questered in fertile valleys were little
villages seemingly devoted to peaceful
pursuits Flocks of the world famous
sheep the skins Of whose lambs are
sent to Persia, where they are made
into garments or cured and sent to
Europe and America, were browsing
on the hillsides
All the herdsmen bore arms. One
would have rife; another wore belt
In which two or three pistols were
thrust; some carried the old time spear.
Their garb was most picturesque. The
turbaned Turk, the jaunty Circas-
sian, the jacketed Greek, none of these
could match the gay dress of these hill
men.
The road grew rougher and more diff
ficult. They climbed laboriously, stop
ping often - give their horses a breath
ing spell. On either side the Jagged
rocks rose to great heights and the
mountains stood majestically about
them.
"No wonder these people cannot be
subdued," said Harvey. Mature has
built for them n fortress that no guns
can batter down"
1.-The trouble is" said Orskofr, that
is not necessary. When 1t comes to
guarding Il city. placing a battlement
upon passage between two seas, ma.
ture may be gracious enough to bestow
a rock or two, but they must be fash
Toned by the hand of man to suit the
purpose of defense"
"The reason is not that nature is
grudging," said Harvey. "It is that
man is SO stubborn that he establishes
his cities in places. where they can be
established. Natures fortificadons are
in places where no one ever wants to
60"
Except ourselves at the present time.
Hello! There is big town"
They had reached high point in the
road and looked down n sloping stretch
into valley, where a town was laid
out that called forth exclama tons from
both. Amid green and luxurious sur
roundings, on the banks of a little
river that found Its devious way into
fha In tfxy r,f 20
nucks was laid out with precision
that would do credit to an English OF
American town. Following the almost
straight line of the river, the mair
street stretched half mile On this
were the principal bazaars and market
places, with drainage directly into the
river. AT right angles to this were
other streets, with houses of stone OF
wood, ornamented according 10 the
taste Of the owners, each having lit
tie patch of green and fruit trees and
garden.
"Orskoff," said Harvey, pointing to
an elevation back of the town. ''proba-
bly, the only thing this town lacks is
good drinking water. I'd like to put
up one Of my windmills and n pump
right there. I'll ask Palpak for con
cession when the other business is
over"
80 confident are you in the success
of the expedition that YOU can talk of
windmills,'
I've talked windmills all my life. I
made them when was boy. can
pick out Il likely spot for one with my
eyes shut"
Harvey was interrupted by the i'm
petuous welcome given to the return
ing chief.
"Hail, Pnlpak. chief of the Fan.
nucks!' cried the people. men. women
and children rushing to surround the
marty. "Whut hast thou brought to
nav the terrible tax the ameer has put
upon us?"
"Auch treasure, my children! 1t u
well. These are my friends. to whom
you must show hospitality"
Eve will We will! Thy frienda
are our friends. o Palpakw
"There is much to be said. The treas
vre will be guarded until the tax Of
the ameer is paid. But there Is some
thing to b. done now. Let my cap
tains come to me while we eat ant
rest. We must hasten away to obtail
more treasure and perform q servic
~ NJ nisnds"