Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-02-10
CHAPTER ".

COMPOUNDED liars" he growled,
shaking his hand at a disappearing
steamboat. "They told me | would
have four hours here, and l haven't
been away three. Now, I'd like to
know how l am going TO get to Astra-
khan. l don't want to stay in this
beastly place a week"
"Excellency, has something yeXed
your" asked a man in the dress OF
peasant.
YES" replied the young man in the
language used by the other. Il am an
American and took passage on that
German boat for Astrakhan; left AS
trabad on that boat thinking it would
be the quickest TO reach the Nolga.
When she touched here, the captain
told me | could take four hours TO see
the town. I've been only three, and
they have gone III be stuck here
week"
The peasant shrugged his shoulders.
1t amused him TO see this intense emo
ton over delay of a mere week.
but there will be other boats, and
the inn Of Borbous is a good one"
Hang the inn of Borbous! | don't
want to stay here I'll punch that
fellows head if l get to Astrakhan in
time. When does the next boat stop
here"
1T is difficult to tell. one may come
in a week, or ii may be two weeks
pleasant, that" muttered the Amer
lean. Fancy putting in two weeks
amid this squalor.'
"Excellency, you would have time to
go to Tihis to the fair, although there
are but few days more of it,"
Hang Tifls. 1t is the fair at Mini
Novgorod / want to get at. I've got
some important business there"
"Then you are not rich gentleman
travelling for pleasure"
what the devil is that TO you! But
there's no use in my being savage,
and III tell you. My business is sell
ing American pumps, windmills, chain
pumps-all kinds. I've put a lot in
some of the Persian towns. Now /
want to go to Mini Noygorod and ex-
hibit there. The stuff is all on that
boat. oh, why did l leave it? And
not chance TO make a sale in this
blamed town eithcr!"
1.-THE boats are beginning TO come
down the Kur from Tihis, and one
may be going to Mini Novgorod'
IF there is one, it will take me If l
have to shoot my way on board. My
name isn't Harvey Irons for nothing.
I'll show them I've got an iron cheek,
Harveyized at that"
Il will watch for the boats while
you wait" said the peasant. Il am
waiting for my sons. who went TO the
fair with goods to sell.
do they own a boatY
Eyes. but ii is not much OF a boat. 1t
could not 20 10 Astrakhan.'
Mr.. Irons walked up and down the
rude wharf, smoking furiously. His
thoughts were interrupted by the peas
ant
a Turkish boat is coming down, ex-
cellency. l do not know where it is
going. But these boats go anywhere
Shall l call themy"
Eyes. That's a good sized boat. l
must get to Astrakhan."
But it is difficult TO talk at that dis
lance. If we take one of these little
boats and 90 to meet them, it will be
better"
Good. IN get on board and make
them take me to Astrakhan. Come on
I'll pay you for your work"
Irons and the man got into a boat,
and 1t shot out into the stream.
How is it that Turkish boat plies
on this seaf' asked Harvey.
There are few only, excellency,
but the Osmanlls are everywhere. The
trade here is as good as on the Black
sea-"
Queer that the czar permits the
Turks to compete with his own people
and l am not supposed to sell wind
mills"
THE little father is liberal. All
may sail upon the sea, but they must
not commit crimes"
you mean the slave trade? / have
heard 1t was abolished"
Eyes, his majesty would not permit
it. Many of the Circassan and Geor.
Pan people sold their daughters to be
me wives Oh wealthy lurks.
Hail that fellow"
"Ay-oo" shouted the peasant. Stop
What do you wantT came a voice
from the vessel.
Whittier are you boundT
ITO Astrakhan."
Jumping Jehoshaphat! What luckr'
shouted Irons. Get me on board,
quickw
"a passenger for Astrakhanw shout
ed the peasant, tugging away at the
paddles.
I'VE cannot take passengers.
you've got one anyway answered
Irons, who could make himself under
stood in many eastern languages.
1--WE have no passenger on the boatw
came the reply.
'No, but you will have one mighty
soon," said Irons.
The little boat was almost directly in
the path of the sailing vessel. Irons
pulled his wallet from his pocket and
chose some pieces Of gold.