Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-04-07
CHAPTER NH.
THE STORM ON THE CASPIAN.


Of favoring darkness. Harvey would
emerge from his hiding place, and
while Alma kept watch for pursuing
Russians Irons assisted with the boat
TO give one OF the Woodworking Astra.
khans n rest ON the third day they
saw boat overhauling them.
eve must keep well under cover till
that boat has passed us, said Harvey.
What do you make it out TO be, Char
ka?"
1t WAS long low vessel, without
masts. with high bow and stern. 1t
was propelled by four rowers. two on
each side, and fifth man sat in the
stern with a paddle 10 steer.
1--WE have nothing TO fear from that
said Charka. THAT is a Turkish ca
yik. Some rich merchant perhaps from
Constantinople has brought his pleas
ure boat all the way TO the fair. Thin
Of carrying a boat across land
That may be so or not" said Har.
vey. "A boat might be built at Tifiis
after the Turkish model. Ii is safer
for us TO be out OF sight"
The long boat came on rapidly, and
Harvey and Alma again crawled under
the hay.
Charka grumbled obviously as he
aw the four rowers bending to their
task. The Turkish cayik seemed more
anxious 10 avoid the lsNboat than
Charka was to avoid the cayik. II
steered 10 the opposite side of the riv-
or, the efforts of the rowet's were dou-
bled. and at a burst OF speed ii went
by.
At night they were within sight of
the village of Salain. Though it was
a dark night. Charka, who had the
lives OF his passengers in mind, for
babe them coming from under the hay.
The steamboat of the Muscovitcs
has not yet returned up the river" he
said. 1T is lying ar Salan 10 watch
the boats that 90 out upon the Cas-
plan"
This was too much for the inquisi-
tiveness of Harvey. He crawled TO the
edge Of the hay TO observe what was
going on.
"Charka," he said that Turkish
boat is up 10 something. I notice the
Russian is going 10 intercept il. There's
business Of some kind going on. Get
nearer, that we may hear the CONVEX
sation."
AS they came opposite the lights OF
the town they saw the Russian boat
shoot out from the land and in the ra-
dius Of the strong electric light In her
bow saw the cayik evidently trying TO
escape.
They are after the Turk, We are
IN for il, too walled Charka
Keep a cool head, Charka," said
Harvey. Remember, precious life de
ponds upon your shrewdness."
81 know"
stop where you are" came a voice
from the Russian. I'VE will inspect
you"
Knowing the uselessness OF refusing.
Charka made his way toward the
launch. which had now steamed up
alongside the cayik.
1T is true. most excellent sirs,"
Turkish voice from the cayik was say
Ing. 81 am an Osmanli. 1t is also true
that | am Hafiz Effendi. who once
acted as merchant in those goods the
men OF Georgia and Circassia had 10
sell. / stole nothing, but when a IA
ther wished TO place his beautiful
daughter in the house OF a wealthy
prince | carried on the negotiations
But that is all done. Even the other
day a girl was stolen, but IL was an
American, not an Osmanll who stole
her"
Yes, and we want that American
now" growled the officer In command
What have you in those sacksT"
Nothing, excellent sir, but some OF
che goods took TO the fair and which
] did not sell. | shall return TO Astra-
bad and thence to Constantinople by
way OF the caravan"
go on" said the officer, and the
cayik shot away
Now, you" said the officer 10 Char
ka. Hello! II is that slow old hay.
boat Well, my friend. where are you
goingY'
II, too. my master, am going to AS
trabad." said Charka.
Does every one who goes to the fair
It Tiflis go from there TO AstrabadT
''Not all excellent captain: but at
Astrabad there are many caravan,
gathering. and can sell my hay. Tn,
camels need IT, To ascend the volg.
TO the big fair at Mini Novgorod woulC
take too long"
Go on. There will be a fine min
Cling OF races at Astrabad"
"No finer than at Tihis." said Charks
as the hayboat slowly drew away. "rh,
scum Of the earth and the cream wer,
at Tihis"
The launch turned back to the whar
where IL had been lying.
Charka felt that he was safe. aud al
there was n slight breeze he raised h,
sail. He had but one thing more to fear
he reasoned. and that was Russian
gunboat. Boatloads OF hay were not In
frequent on the Caspian. and he fell
assured that IL would not be difficult e
hoodwink the captain Of the gunboat.