The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-11-07


ment the unfortunate kcvski was
hosted UP his feet bound together. the
rope by which he was supported being
made fast between them. He swung
at first but little clear of the ground.
his hands bound behind his back, his
body slowly twiring on the rope
This barbarity Is not uncommon In
that region, and 1t has terrifying ele-
ment of uncertainty, for the amount Of
torture inflicted by 1t can never be
known III advance, since II depends
upon the endurance Of the Individual
Men have lived incredibly long and
have endured Understandable t0rments.
while others have passed beyond pain
in a few minutes.
1t is always a new wonder to the
most experienced that such spectacle
can be, given the aspect Of an enter
tainment. yet here was the band bray
ing as IL to gather spectators for a
mountebanks performance. and here
were the people striving for the best
places TESTS were far easier TO hear
than expressions Of sympathy. though
these citizens Of Gredskoy bred under
an alien rule. had no knowledge Of pub
lie punishments for justices sake, but
only as the eruelties of an irresponsible
tyrant
The band ceased with a rattle Of
brass, and the next instant Darrell was
inside the line of soldiers. holding to
t,t al, Of iol,
there seemed to issue shrill and lively
tune. The thing was so quickly done
that no one raised hand to stop him
MS he began to march with a crazy dig
nifty in the direction Of the musicians.
The crowd laughed. the soldiers waited
for an order. and the officers. seeing no
harm done, hesitated TO give it.
You do not play so badly" said Oar
rell. lowering his pipe and addressing
the leader of the band "but my music |
is much mere popular 1872
He waved hls hand I'M the direction
of the crowd which rewarded Him
with cheers and laughter. The band
master turned an eye upon the colonel |
of the regiment, who had wheeled his |
horse IN that direction. He was a man |
of jovial aspect. and he seemed to be |
somewhat the worse for liquor OAR |
rell judged him to be not aversc to this |
comedy and was not deceived when |
the officer. with great affectation of
wrath. waved bis naked sword over the
piper's head and then brought it down
with wide sweep to light, fiatwise, on
the offenders back. II was not very
safe trick. for the Circassian swords
ere sharp as razors. &aD
Upon my word.' exclaimed the Off
Ger, observing that Darrell did not even
wink. ''yon don't scare easily" r N
81 haven't sense enough" responded
Darrell. ''Only the wise are afraid;
the others are soldiers"
You mean that soldiers are foolsT
demanded the officer. grasplng this
simple Jest with some difficulty and
uncertain whether he had got the right
of it.
Not those that wear swords" re-
sponded Darrell. ut is wise to order
other men to fight; the folly is in obey
Ing And, by the way, that is very
fine sword of yours"
what do you know about swords,
demanded the officer.
more than yourself" replied Darrell,
your exeellency's pardon. for
can do something with sword that
rou can't"
you are boasterv' cried the colonel,
raising his weapon.
II viii prove my words" answered
Darrell. "Can you play tune upon a
sword?'
Nc; nor any other man." retorted
he colonel.
II can play upon sword as well as
IN this pipe" answered Darrell. III
Tou don't believe me, lend me yours"
This cool proposition excited laughter
Imong the spectators who were near
,nough to hear 1t and also considerable
interest. for II seemed that the mailman
really meant to execute some trick.
81 can't spare It," said the colonel
,urtiy.
This. then. will answer" reioined
Darrell. and. with a movement swift as
.onjuring. he snatched sword from
The scabbard Of captain who had ad-
ranced as If with some message for his
superior
The man. utterly amazed and perhaps
alarmed. started back. and before he
had recovered himself Darrell had
-aised the sword to his lips in the man.
ler Of flute and was piping In way
hat might have amazed a higher type
" audience. The colonel restrained the
,nraged captain with a gesture and lis
encd with a drunken wonder that. in
ess desperate circumstances, would
nave afforded Darrell much amuse-
nent.
Suddenly the wretched prisoner.
swinging by the rope. uttered his first
.ry. long and pitiabie scream. Ii was
What might have been foreseen: in
Iced. Darrell had expected il earlier
he turned. with an affectatlon OF
wrath.
Il can't be interrupted in this way
le cried. springiDg toward the tor
ured man.
II IL probable that every one expected
o see the supposed maniac still Kew
krs cry by plunging the sword into
r. n