Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-07-12
the boats that go out upon the c.s

the boats that go out upon the C..-
pian."
3 This was too much for the inauis!-
tiyeness of Harvey. He crawled to the
edge Of the hay to observe what was
going on.
"Charka," he said, ''that Turkish
boat is up to something. 1 notice the
Russian is going to intercept it. There's
business of some kind going on. Get
nearer, that we may hear the CONVEX
sation."
As they came opposite the lights of
the town they saw the Russian boat
shoot out from the land and in the ra.
dius of the strong electric light in her
bow saw the cayik evidently trying to
escape.
"They are after the Turk We are
in for it, tool" walled Charka.
keep a cool head, Charka," said
Harvey. Remember, a precious life de-
ponds upon your shrewdness."
II know"
"Stop where you are!' came voice
from the Russian. I'VE will inspect
you"
knowing the uselessness of refusing,
Charka made his way toward the
launch, which had now steamed up
alongside the cayik.
ut is true, most excellent sirs,"
Turkish voice from the cayik was say
ing. II am an Osmnnli. 1t is also true
that l am Hafz Effendl. who once
acted as merchant in those goods the
men of Georgia and Circassia had to
sell. | stole nothing, but when ia
Their wished to place his beautiful
daughter in the house of wealthy
prince carried on the negotiations.
But that is all done. Even the other
day girl was stolen, but 1t was an
American, not an Osmanli. who stole
her"
Yes. and we want that American
now" growled the officer in command.
What have you in those sacks?"
Nothing, excellent sir, but some Of
the goods took to the fair and which
l did not sell. shall return to Astra-
bad and thence to Constantinople by
way of the caravan"
go on" said the officer, and the
cayik shot away.
"Now, yon." said the officer to Char
ka. Hello! 1t is that slow old hay
boat. Well. my friend. where are you
going?'
Il, too. my master, am going to AS
trabad," said Chnrka.
Does every one who goes to the fair
at Tihls go from there to Astrabad?"
"Not all. excellent captain: but at
Astrabad there are many caravans
gathering, and can sell my hay. The
cameis need it. To ascend the Volga
to the big fair at Mini Novgorod would
take too long"
go on. There will be a fine min
Cling of races at Astrabad."
mo finer than at Tifis," said Charka
as the hayboat slowly drew away. THE
scum Of the earth and the cream were
at Ti1is.'
The launch turned back to the wharf
where it had been lying.
I Charka felt that he was safe, and as
there was slight breeze he raised his
sail. He had but one thing more to fear,
he reasoned, and that was q Russian
gunboat. Boatioads of hay were not in
frequent on the Caspian, and he felt
assured that it would not be difficult to
hoodwink the captain Of the gunboat.
Under sail the boat made better prog
ress and was soon out on the Caspian,
where in the inky darkness nothing
could be seen. The slight wind that
h;,u promised SO well soon died away,
and the boat, now in deep water where
the poles were useless, was almost
helpless. It's big lateen sails tapped
against the rude masts, and the men
grumbled. This was not getting to
Astrabad, and they had had enough Of
watching over the lives of Muscovite
woman and man from what they con-
sidered another. world. The boat got
into u current that carried it out far
ther and farther, and Harvey, feeling
secure in the darkness, called to Alma
to come out from her hiding place.
They sat together in the little deck
house waiting for the breeze that must
surely come sooner or later.
by this time they are well in pur-
suit" said Alma, with a shudder. SIT
is death to be taken now"
ut would have been death at any
time, my darling. We must be cheer
full. l wish we had cayik instead of
this old hayboat."
THE cayik is faster, dear M. Irons,
but would it be as safe? fear that a
storm is coming. In that little boat 1
would be afraid
I'D take my chances in that as soon
as in this old hulk. and there would be
the additional advantage of getting
somewhere before the storm CAME
"Ah, NJ. Irons, it is long way across
the Caspian"
II am aware Of that, Alma. I've
been long enough trying to make the
trip. Even now l am q good many
days from my windmils."
II fear you will never see them
again, dear N. Irons"
Not see my wlndmills again? Why,
I'll soil than, q tha I, Cot, NI;Ip;