The Cairo bulletin., 1904-10-31

roadside, he heard them exchanging
hasty words with scant breath, as II
they were greatly excited, but he could
catch no hint Of the cause. e
/ Hunger was beginning to assail him
again, and he made a search OF two
houses without finding anything edi-
BILE. In the third he secured food
enough to keep him from the pains OF
starvation. but he would gladly have
had better. AS he emerged from this
house he heard trampling in the road.
and presently from behind thick
growth Of low trees emerged the car
avian from which Kilziar had exacted
such grinding tribute
II came to Darrell's mind that he
might make terms with the leader Of
this caravan and travel with it toward
4 vladkaukas. Two Of the merchants
rode ahead, bestriding horses so good
that Darrell wondered why Kilziar's
soldiers had not appropriated them,
Between these horsemen was remark
able figure mounted on a donkey, the
| riders long legs almost touching the
ground upon each side The bride was
hanging on the beasts neck, the hands
of the rider being occupied with the
| stops OF musical instrument some
! what resembling the classic pipe, which
he was playing Justify and with no lit
lie skill, the melody being a weird mi
nor strain. absurd, yet fascinating.
The mans face was almost complete
ly covered by beard rough rs hedge
row, mere bundle OF spiky hair His
eyes were shifty and bright looking
out close under the ragged rim of a cap
| Of shag--a man mentally deranged, as
any one might see, a wanderer, probar
| bly,, fed for his music and his distorted
wit that enlivened the way. Darrell
would have said that the merchants,
after the loss of their property and
their comrade, would have had little
! appetite for the idiots piping, yet they
/ honored him with a grave attention
and when he ceased they uttered some
words that seemed to be commenda-
tory.
Darrell stepped forward into the road
and addressed one of tie merchants
In Russian, walking along beside his
horse.
Il want to travel with your party"
he said. 81 am going toward yladl-
kaukas."
The merchant shook his head, but
Darrell persisted, saying;
Il have bit Of money here. | don't
know what it is worth. but il it will
pay for my food and ride part of the
way upon horse or camel
He displayed one of the Russian
notes, taken from the roll of money
which he had kept through all his ad
ventures and which up 70 this moment
had been of remarkably little use to
him.
where did you get that?' demanded
the merchant.
From a dead Russian on the battle.
field near Gredskov," replied Darrell
rs 1t sufficient"
The Turk might have taken the mon.
ey without rendering any return; but,
fortunately, he possessed some small
instinct of honesty. perhaps only the
traders notion of a bargain.
Have you any more?" he demanded.
mo" replied Darrell: that was all
the man had in his pocket except one
coin that have spent already"
The merchant gravely put the money
into his pocket, his partner meanwhile |
making n sign that indicated division.
I'VE will give, you food" he said. |
"apd you may enjoy our protection as
far as Vladikaukas, but fear there is
no beast that you can ride upon. We |
travel, however. al a foot pace"
Il will walk beside YOU" responded |
Darrell and for some hundreds of |
yards he did so in silence.
What was this battle of GredskovT' |
asked the merchant at last. II have |
heard. OF course. something of 1t, but |
perhaps you can tell me more"
Darrell saw his opportunity. and he
became 50 entertaining in his nara
ton. large part Of 1t wholly imaginary. |
that the merchant presently ordered up |
mule for, him to ride that lie might |
have the more breath for story telling.
The mule was n sorry beast, but he was /
relief from walking. and Darrell was |
well content, the more because he got |
some food for the asking and a cup OF |
palatable wine.
Thus they proceeded until near night
fail. when their march was interrupted /
by the rush Of a rider who came to- /
ward them In a cloud of dust. pulling /
his horse upon his launches at the mo- /
ment when II seemed as II lac intended |
TO dash against the leaders Of the car
avian. This man was n scout who /
rode ahead. and he was the more zeal l
Gus because he had been trapped once
that day 10y Kilziar's men and had Civ
en- no warning of danger. .f.,..f
What lie had 10 communicate this
time Darrell did not hear until the two
merchants who rode with the van had
been appraised Of il. That the news was
alarming blind man might have seen:
also that ii was wholly unexpected. The
other merchants were summoned 10
conference. and IL was then that Oar
M i