The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-07-13


believer looked as If he could pay well
It would do no harm to let him remain
on board. After disposing of his con-
cealed passenger he had no objections
to making little more ready money.
Out upon the Caspian shot the vessel,
and Harvey watched the lazy methods
Of the sailors Five good men could
have handled the boat in a storm. 1t
took all twenty of them to do it in
calm water.
Hassan thought to earn the money
by placing Harvey on another boat.
He stood i'm the bow and scanned the
horizon. But all that day he saw none
and began TO get uneasy.
1T seems he expects a boat to over
take him." thought Harvey.
Hassan had been looking ahead for
a boat Now he cast his eyes astern
He was looking for the Russian gun
boat he knew would follow if it We're
suspected that Koura had been taken
away I'm his vessel. All night they
sailed, but saw nothing. In the morn
ing a cry broke from Hassan. Just
ahead lay long, low hull, with sails
that seemed capable. if properly han
died, of producing great speed. Astern
could be seen the black smoke that
came from an approaching steamer.
"Hassan is surprised, excited and
afraid" said Harvey to himself. 81
wonder if I've got myself mixed up in
a smuggling game That looks like a
Russian gunbOat coming
The crew were evidently as excited
as Hassan and watched with anxious
eyes the gunboat.
What vessel is thatT shouted Has
san 10 the boat ahead as they neared
each other.
"'This is the boat of our heavenly
lord. the ameer of Bokhara," came the
answer
Hassan's vessel was schooner rig
ged. The other was a sort Of sloop,
having single mast with lateen sail.
The sloop rounded to, and Hassan
shouted:
Il have some news for you. Come
close The Muscovites are coming!
Let us be shrewd," said the man on
the black boat. Let not the Musco-
vite see us together What have you?
Have you seen MizkF"
Eyes; it is that for which Milk went
to Tihis. Hurry! If the Muscovites
catch me, ! shall be shot"
"And what of me-" asked the other
"Karakal is not yet weary of this
life"
The lateen sail was drawn to the
wind, aud the black boat shot away.
Curses upon those towards! What
shall ! do?" walled Hassan. Then.
turning in fury upon Harvey, he bawl-
ed out.
This is because of you. miserable
dog of a Giaour. If they do not seize
me, l will kill you! Allah, Allah be
praised, Allah, Ill Allah. Mohammed
Resoul Ulah"
Strikes me you'd better be saying
God be mcrciful TO me, a sinner
said Harvey You've been up to
something mean. I'll bet a dollar. YOu
have get the most evil face l ever saw
on man. / wonder if it is SNUG
Cling"
There was no use trying to get away.
The slow old tub was no match for
the gunboat The hull was growing
larger every minute. Soon a puff of
smoke was seen on the gunboat's deck,
a boom was heard, and a shot bounded
three times on top Of the water and
sank a few feet from Hassan's boat.
by Joye! They'll sink this hulk
with me in it, exclaimed Harvey.
Don't wonder that Hassan is afraid"
The entire crew stood with folded
arms. Their anxious eyes rested on
Hassan's face, and their expressions
were but reflections of his own. Has
san gave a command, and the boat
swung round and waited A small
boat from the gunboat was soon up
close, and two officers came aboard.
You beastw exclaimed one what
do you mean by sneaking away in the
nightF"
Hold on, my friend" said Harvey
for the officer had looked at him while
speaking. Il don't sneak. | don't
know what you want, but you are seri-
ously interfering in my business. |
have engaged this man to take me to
Astrakhan."
"Asuakhan. But why did you leave
Tifis i'm the night?'
"Tihjsf / haven't been to Tifis."
This boat left Tihis in the night
three-four nights ago"
"With that / have nothing TO do. l
Joined the boat at Salain and bargain
ed with this man, who seems to be in
command. TO take me to Astrakhan or
put me aboard a boat that was going
there"
us that true, Osmanl?" asked the
officer.
1T is true, o great representative of
the greatest ruler on earth except the
padishah."
"Then tell me why you left Tifiis in
the night"
80 great one, l will tell you what
happened. 1t is a strange tale that
can scarcely believe myself. Perhaps
it is not known TO thee, o great one,
that ] brought a cargo of goods TO
Tihis, which | sold to the bazaars.