Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-05-12
A SOLDIER OF
COMMERCE
BY JOHN ROE GORDON
BY JOHN ROE GORDON
Copyright. ieGe. by F. r. Toombs

Ihese cries came from all sides
Domitan turned pale. He looked ap-
pealingly at Palpak, but the face OF
the chief was as stone.
% CHIEF! said a captain, rising.
1T is well that tine Zannucks know
their chief 10 be always safe. IL he ia
IN danger from his own brothers. then
what may we expect from others |!
III these brothers have attempted TO
Kill thee, they should be punished. II
If the will of the people that he whom
they love shall be protected and those
who seek to kill him shall themselves
be slain"
1T Is 60" said another captain.
"but this took place far away. Let us
give Domitan and the other brothers
OF our chief an opportunity to explain
their conduct"
1T is well spoken" said Palpak.
Let my brother Domitan, next I'm the
line of chiefs. who will be your chief
II should die, explain his action"
All eyes were turned toward Domi-
tan.
20 chief my brother" he cried. land
captains Of the Zannucks. hear me and
believe me! When we started in our
boat 10 the island cave TO obtain the I
treasure and bring II here, there was
no thought against our brother, the /
greatest chief the Zannucks ever had /
We love him WELL but we drank much .
wine, and in our wine madness thought
TO overcome him and obtain the treas
ure. In our right minds we would not
think Of this. Humbly do we seek
pardon OF our chief. We promise faith.
full allegiance. We will fight by his
side evermore"
There was murmur. and all eyes
rurned to Palpak.
at will be well IL this is true" he
said. Il trust my brothers again. ]
wish no confusion now. We will has
ten to meet the soldiers of the amer"
There was little delay Horses were
being led in from nearby fields, and men
with arms were gathering on the road
TO the southwark they formed. and II
seemed formidable array First rode
Palpak, with Harvey and Orskoff.
mounted on fresh horses. After them
rode a hundred men, divided In bands
Of twenty-five. each under captain
Then came another hundred under
Domitan, these being divided the same
way.
Harvey had never experienced so diff.
fcult ride. At times they seemed on
the verge OF going over cliff and
hurting themselves a hundred feet or
more TO certain death, but the rugged
little horses seemed to know every inch
OF the way and found stepping places
where man could not as they wound
around the perpendicular scarps OF
II wouldn't like to do this for q liv-
Ing" said Harvey. II prefer TO sell
This is real mountaineering" an
swered OrskOff. But their eyes did not
meet as they spoke, for Harvey, who
was ahead, did not dare to turn his
bead. 4
In crossing table lands they Travelled a
N sections. and Domitan often came <
Up and spoke TO Palpak. He had lost
none of his surliness. Harvey could not
understand why Palpak so easily for u
rave the man who wanted to kill him. u
)rskoff explained that he had talked
with the captains and learned that Z
Oomitan was much admired for his
many exhibitions of bravery.
1T is good thing for us that Domi- u
an is not chief" said Orskoff. HE
Iates us sorely." ID
They camped at night in a ravine, C
nd the cooks Of the companies pre-
jared a meal consisting mainly OF ~
sort OF cake aud coffee. After par III
aking Of a goody quantity Orskoff 81
nd Harvey lay down near Palpak III
nd went TO sleep. III
In the morning, refreshed, the caval- 10
ade set out and passed another day SC
D even more difficult travelling. An
Their night they camped on an open In
cid, and on the third day they came Il
rest on a cliff overlooking the ST. tn
ION pass. he
o. tN