The indicator., 1904-08-13
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
BY JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright, isoe, by =. R. Toomhs
CHAPTER xxi.
A RACE FOR LIBERTY.
Copyright. isoe, by :. R. Toomhs

IN vOMITAN'S caravan came on
IO slowly. for the men were
walking. They had sent q
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.
II 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.
"It IL we'll" he said to one Of his
captains, that on the first day Of my
ehisftainship meet with two holy
men upon the way. will give them
aims and have their blessings upon
ms."
Most holy fathers. holy ones Of the
sun, bless me-" he said. "for l am but
to-day the chief Of the Zannucks."
II bless you" said Harvey, with q
weak and trembling voice as he pock-
stsd the gold. I'VE are weary. and
th1 temple is far. Hast thou no seat
for us on camel7 see there are two
with apparently but little load"
''It 10 well that thy presence augurs
good" said Domitan in a sort Of ex-
ultation. Those camels bear the one
who will be my bride and the one who
will BE- the bride Of my brother. Sure
" 1t will be well for us II the holy
nan 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 1 have
made them presenta shall win great
Victories"
Harvey got into the howdah BY ths
ssds Of Alma, and Orskoff. with ap'
parent feebleness. climbed In with
Koura. The camels rose to their fest
again, and Domitan proudly led on. II
was not every day that chieftaln
had two lamas in his caravan.
Orskoff was fdgety. He knew that
when they reached the monastery they
would be expected to leave, but he had
faith that Harvey would surmount tn
difficulty. He saw Harvey scanning
the sky and mumbling and making
peculiar signs. Harvey called to Domt
tan, and the chief rode back.
II see mysterious signs in ths heav'
era" said Harvey in q manner that
would inspire awe. II see but an
hours ride from this spot band Of
soldiers Of the ameer coming to give you
battle. They are mighty men and arm
ID. I have blessed thee, and thersfora
thou wilt surely win. But these ten'
der children must not be taken into
DANGER II thou wouldst have them to
wives. Take thy fighting men and q
mast the foe. We will remain here
where It 10 safe"
.How many Of the ameer's soldisss
lpst thou zee, holy onsr
'Ten score Of horse"
1--WE are their equals. We will obey
thse, holy one, leaving only enough td
guard thee"
He appointed an o11cef and part d
4 company to remain to guard and 10
the remainder on to meet the foe. Tht
caravan came to q halt. The eamelt
laden with merchandise were beouSh'
up. and the soldiers put aside thsi'
arms to make camp.
"Now, you gallant Russianr' shoutst
Harvey a. he turned his canal and
eaye Il q prick with the blade Of hi
knife. The beast hew like the vefJ
Wind toward silicon, With Koura's cam
d In hot pursuit.
cries Of rage and c6nstsrnatioa rosl
from the soldiers. A few snots wefe
Arsd, but no bullet touched them. ON
%. they went. Nothing stayed TIE ma<
airht Ths howdahs rocked and swsy
Cd and the girls became dlssy. HafveJ
1pnd>a his camel to the utmost H
eeuA pbcturs to himself q soldier o.
~ ~ hurss sent to inform Domitan
~ chiecs Wild Sids back in pursuit
~ awful rses when he knew he hat
- dupsd; his murdsrous dssirs TO
ssveneA HarvV gEittsd his tssth en<
nn1 ths cane, q. Many bong 3eur
~ ~ b. taken on the beasts an<
- vsll ths handling Of tAsm-
4Hae thsy racsd on the nestsst ean
= = ali Bokhara. For ten hours the.
- up the pace. Then he knew y
Wsnh b safe 10 rest, for the Des
wse DomItan possessed could no
eVsstaks them.
TAsn on gain for houfs they spes
~ u Sao; thsn another stop TO
VnAsr Ard fruit Thay passed snsp
S@1,s ssseags. and - save shsn
- Maat. -.
A1hn1su snsagA" !" ~ Maxvss; ~.
= - ~ ~ - Z