The indicator., 1904-08-06
A SOLDIER
OF COMMERCE
BY JONN ROE GORDON
Copyright 1902 by F. 3. Toombs
Continued from last week.)
CHAPTER Xxx.

CdAf Err An.
THE ATTACK ON THE CARAVAN.
MYN the morning. after waiting
i8I and watching all night. the
SSTS6S caravan was discovered slow
@9 ly making its way along the
pass. Palpak called Harvey and Ors.
koff to him at the edge of the clih.
I'VE will attack the caravan In this
way" he said. MY men are now di.
vided, and one half 10 under my broth.
er Domitan. who is very brave and q
the pass to head OF the camels II they
bolt and run beyond our reach. Ny
own section will attack at this spot.
You will be with me-"
IL should say so." said Harvey. I'VE
want to be in this business from start
to finish"
"But It would be safer to remain hid
DEN"
at would be impossible. Orskoif II
q fighting man and would not remain
idle while his sweetheart is in dan.
rsr. l am not a fighting man. but
could not remain in hiding while you
were fighting for the girl love-"
Domitan came up.
"It will be well for US to plan, my
brother" he said. 1.-The caravan Will
soon be here"
1--WE have already planned" said
Palpak sternly. You will take your
men farther up the pass. Lie In walt
there. II the camels bearing the youns
women escape. you can capture them
I will remain here and attack"
Heretofore l have been asked In
councils" said Domitan surlily.
"You will obey" said Palpak.
"It 10 evident" said Harvey to Ofs-
kof, that, though he forgives. he dos1
not forget"
Domitan soon had his men under
way. They took q winding path
through the woods leading to the
pass.
"I trust there will be as little blood.
shed as possible" said Harvey to Pal
pak. 1--WE want to get the girls. bSl
do not wish to commit unnecessary
murder. These soldiers are simply
obeying orders as your own men ars
doing"
I'VE will save your women, but tn
rest of the matter must be left to NJ.
1 see by the size of the caravan thai
there Is much treasure"
The caravan came on. Riding ahead
was an officer of the ameer in brilliant
gsrb. Following him were twenty
horsemen, all well armed. Then came
two camels, each led by soldier. The
first bore in its howdah the girl In
tended for the bride Of the prince.
Alma was In the second one. She still
wore the uniform of the inspector gen
eraI of prisons. Then came twenty
more horsemen, a string Of camels and
mules bearing merchandise Of all
kinds and horses on which rode Turk
ish. Persian and Hebrew merchants.
silently Palpak led bis men down
steep and difficult path. They waited
In hiding till the head of the caravan
was opposite. A peculiar cry from
palpak sent them dashing into ths
road. Palpak's men had left theii
horses above on the clif and were at
disadvantage. but they outnumberet
the Bokharans. At the first voiieJ
three Of the ameer's soldiers fell from
their horses. A terrific outcry follow
ed. but the officer in command Wal
brave and calm and soon rallied them
They formed In q circle around tht
cameIs bearing the two girls, while th'
mercha nts and the camels bearing theil
soods scuttled for safety. Palpak raj
lied his men and led them In feroeiou'
oosla night but tbs direct and stead.
srs from the mounted rnemen OF tn
smaer sent a doaen Of them to tn
pslpak shouted out bis command
and formed his men for q rush, ou
n. ameer's men were nrst. and tb
hor.es came dashins upon the zas
nucks. For q time It looked like w
tory for the Bokharans. Orskon an
Harvey were compelled to run esafa
vben the ameer's hoesemsn came upo'
them
NC battle Of tie ameeFs men "a
nslns vaesd chisAy b. The oeness y
sse.maud. who seemed net p know IN
- fear and Who seemed b b N
ssrv1ous to bulIsta Mounted - . u
49,. he led svsry charge. Hasve
- that % long 40 the Bokharans wss
S1ap,rsd By this o6,cef they were W
~ inyincibls. He watched his chanc
= esps with the commander In Pc
0en.
A. last II came. The otscer. In NAL
- q dash through the forces OF u
0enaucka. was beset BY several
- with spears. He brought o
- suddeniy TO . halt. triso
@~rya and the horse came DOWN z
~ On his haunchss. With Q 60
- Harvey sVeaaq uess ~