, 1904-08-10

Deen leIL Oh the GILL.
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.
1t 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.
at is we'll" he said to one of his
captains, that on the first day of my
c%hieftainsaip l meet with two holy
men upon the way. l will give them
ain and have their blessings upon
me-"
Most h:ly fathers. holy ones of the
sun, bless me-" he said, 'for l am but
today the chief of the Zannucks."
81 bless you," said Harvey, with a
weak and trembling voice as he pock-
eted the gold. "We are weary, and
the temple is far. Hast thou no seat
for us on a camel? | see there are two
with apparently but little load"
ut is well that thy presence augurs
good" said Domitsn in a sort of ex-
ultation. "ThOse cymels bear the one
who will be my bride and the one who
will be the bride OF my brother. Sure
~ it will be well for us II the holy
men ride with them. Come"
He went back TO the camels and
commanded them to kneel.
holy companions wilt thou have,
my sweet ones" ne said. "These holy
men have blessed me, and l have
made them presents. 1 shall win great
victories"
Harvey got in.o the howdah by the
side of Alma, and Orskoff, with ap-
parent feebleness, climbed In with
Koura. The canels rose to their feet
again, and Domltan proudly led on. 1t
was not every day that a chieftain
had two lamas IN his arava
Orskoff was aigety. He knew that
when they reached the monastery they
would be expected to leave, but he had
faith that Harvey would surmount the
difficulty. He saw Harvey scanning
the sky and snumbling and making
peculiar signs. Harvey called to DOmi-
tan, and the chief rode back.
81 see mysterious signs in the heav-
ems" said Harvey in a manner that
would inspire awe. 81 see but an
hours ride from this spot a band Of
soldiers of the 4rnee coming to give you
battle. They age mighty men and arm
ed. l have blessed thee, and therefore
thou wilt surely win. But these ten
1orp al;Il,a- ..,. ,o4 - 4Iwo.z s-4o
danger if thou wouldst have them for
wives. Take thy fighting men and go
meet the foe. We will remain here,
where it is SAFE"
"How many of the ameer's soldiers
dost thou see, holy one?"
"Ten score Of horse"
"We are their equals. We will obey
thee, holy one, leaving only enough to
guard thee"
He appointed an officer and part of
a company to remain to guard and led
the remainder en to meet the foe. The
caravan came to Il halt. The camels
laden with merchandise were brought
up, and the soldiers put aside their
arms to make camp.
"Now, you gallant Russian shouted
Harvey as he turned his camel and
gave it a prick with the blade of his
knife. The beast flew like the very
wind toward Silicon, with Koura's cam
ell in hot pursuit.
Cries of rage and CONSERVATION rose
from the soldiers. A few shots were
fired, but no bullet touched them. On,
on, they went. Nothing stayed the mad
flight. The howdahs rocked and sway
ed and the girls became dizzy. Harvey
goaded his camel to the utmost. He
could picture to himself a soldier on
the best horse sent to inform Domitan;
the chiefs wild ride back in pursuit;
his awful rage when he knew he had
been duped; his murderous desire for
revenge. Harvey gritted his teeth and
sped the camel on. Many a long jour
ney had he taken ON the beasts and
knew well the handling of them.
Thus they raced on the fieetest CAM
els in all Bokhara. For ten hours they
kept up the pace. Then he knew it
would be safe to rest, for the best
horse Domitan possessed could not
Dvertake them.
Then on again for hours they sped
along the pass; her another stop for
water and fruit. They passed a shep-
herds cottage. and he gave them a
good meal.
That's enough" said Harvey. THAT
will do till we reach Silicon. There's
plenty on the %gunboat."
On again they went. Stacking the