Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-20

lean also listened and watched, strain
Ing his eyes tojsee if, here and there
In the darkness, darker forms could be
seen Of the foe stealthily approach
ing. Often, as he thus gazed, he was
triclred by illusion ana seemed to see
hideons Monaghan face leering Up
from the surface of the river close
by. Once or twice he raised his
rifle, as II to fire; but, even as he
| did 80, the inky blackness of the wat
or would wash out the lying yellow
patch with its evil eyes.
Then, too, 1t was easy to hear, IN
imagination, the splashing of feet and
OF swimming or wading bodies among
the infinite sounds of the broad river,
as it fretted about the points of sand
bars, washed over shadows, or gurgled
rapidly through deep channels.
The American, needed no one to tell
him and no experience in warfare to
make him understand that this was a
most critical moment in the fortunes
of the little party. Should the Chinese
attack now, they would experience no
difficulty in getting quite close to the
boat, without detection, and, If they
SdllC III SuIlClctlJ IOICc, llSy WOuta
be able to swarm over her side and
oyerpower her few defenders.
And as this thought entered his
head, he realized that he was listening
for another sound, aSsound that would
fill him with joy.-the beating OF nor-
SEES hoofs on the military road skirt
ing the Siberian bank, and the faint
jingling of steel accoutrements.
Yes, the dreaded Cossaek, the Cos
sack terrible and murderous, had be-
come friend and brother, and would
have been welcomed by the American
as joyfully as were the Campbells at
Lucknow.
But not even illusion brought any
sch pleasant sound to his ears. Hardy
had not been standing on the deck
more than twenty minutes, when he
felt head laid lightly upon his arm.
It was SO dark that he could not dis
tinguish the outline of the form stand
ing by his side, but he knew, without
looking around that this was the Prin-
cess.
I'VE must not speak loud" she whis-
pered, "the general has commanded
absolute silence" He could feel her
Wal LII VI 6dIu lllO SuOCh Gnu hSi
hair brushed his brow. II came to say
that you must not mind my cousin.
saw at a glance that he does not
like you, and think understand
the reason"
what possible reason could he
have for not liking me?" asked Har-
dy. II assure you never did him any
intentional harm"
"He is very brave, is my poor
cousin, and he is furious that it was
you and not he who saved my life
from the brigands. Bear with him,
beg Of you. He will come to his
senses in day or two and will him
self thank you.
"For your sake" whispered Hardy,
II will endure anything from him, at
least until we have rescued you from
this danger"
A small hand crept down his arm,
found his hand and pressed it,
sMerci, mon anil" whispered the
Princess.
| At that moment a splash was heard
| by the side of the boat.
! go below" said Hardy in voice
Of command the voice that a real
| woman likes to hear sometimes from
a real man; and he stepped lightly 20
the spot He could see nothing, could
hear nothing more, but he found the
| general standing at the place, which
was on the down stream side, gazing
into the water. For a moment Hardy
had confidently expected to see a
| throng of Chinese climbing up the
Sides If this splash had indicated the
arrival of the enemy, however, there
was nothing in the generals demean
or to betray the fact He did not
move, did not awake the sleeping
crew, but turned with a sigh and
crossed the deck He was stopped by
the Princess, who walked with him
for few seconds.
HE has sent one of the crew, Stem
ka Pugacheff, down the river for
help" she said to Hardy. Brave
Stenka! He hopes to get far enough
in the darkness to escape the eyes
Of the band which is collected here
and then he, will take to the woods
Is he not hero, this simple Cossock?
1t is thirty versts to the military stat
ion, and there is death waiting for him
at every step"
"Their devotion to you makes them
all heroes, Madame" replied, Hardy
"Ah. no! His devotion to his car
and his fatherland. He left message