Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-01-27
xiv.
An Exchange Of Compliments.

81 tYN M @NCttdtlHC VI SOutRIIHiOtltos En.
The method of loshat and lotka was
out of the question now, even for
Gen. Catkoff. The wild bandits of
Manchuria, who respect no govern
ment on earth, and whose only patri-
otto sentiment consists in the fact
that they would rather kill a Russian
than any other foreign devil" were
aroused and were thirsting for loot
and vengeance. 1t would be counting
death to go up that river unless es-
corted by a troop of cavalry. More
over, it was the duty Of every man
about the boat to remain by the prin-
cess side. Reinforcements were sure
ITO arrive in the shape Of muzhiks or
3Bouriats, who, impatient of remaining
ION the stranded steamer below, had
pushed on afoot or by lotka. There
was always the chance, too, that a
squad of Cossack cavalrymen might
come along, following the military
road, a long stretch of which was Wis
fble from the boat, between the skirts
of the forest and the edge of the
river.
In addition to Hardy and the gen.
eral and the captain, there were on
board five members Of the crew.
Weapons could be provided for all of
these. The captain took a hurried in
ventory and found that, with economy,
there was enough food to last all
hands five days. AS the first day wore
on, an occasional horseman could be
seen or the Manchurian side, in the
dim foreground Of the forest. These
horsemen appeared singly at first,
then in twos, and finally in groups of
three or four. They were evidently
increasing in numbers and collecting
in the vicinity of the stranded steam
Toward evening Smulders and his
"Chulia" came along. The German
had persuaded the Viennese to en-
bark with him in a lotka and they had
made nearly as great progress as the
steamer, with its frequent delays on
account Of the sand-banks and the
necessity of taking on wood. They had
come on, perfectly unconscious of
danger, and probably owed their i'm
munity to the fact that they had stuck
to the Siberian side, to which
the Chinese did not often cross.
I'VE will stay here" declared
Smulders, when Hardy explained to
him the danger of continuing the jour
"and / will fight for my Chulia
till / die"
How is your suit coming on?" asked
smiling. "She must like you
well, or she would not come up
the river with you"
"Ah, she would have come up nit a
Russian, so / come along nit the only
and she have to come nit me-.
She will not much and I have no
peevo, so / think I go mad, Ach, 1 loaf
her very heavy!"
Nothing happened that night, save
arrival Of four Bouriats, riding by
a very tired and incredibly bony
horse. After a shouted conversation
the captain, two of them mounted i
The animal and rode out to the boat.
They were armed with short rifles
and heavy cavalry swords. They
the horse loose, which swan to
shore, and was used by the other two
a living ferry, one riding this time,
while his comrade held fast to the
animals tail.
In the morning six Manchurians
ode down to the waters edge and be-
gan firing at the boat. The distance
vas long and they shot wildly, not
Hardy and his friends in any
sreat danger, though they made their
Intentions perfectly plain. The Prin-
,ess Rcmanovna, attired in the gown
II light blue and the hat trimmed with
,lue flowers, stood by the generals
Tide, cycling the scene with calm In
crest, twirling her open parasol care
essly on her shoulder.
As they stood looking, reinforce
nents to the Chinese arrived from
ime to time. Other horsemen rode
from the depths Of the woods, till,
n the course OF az hour, the strength
4 the company had Increased from
TX to 20. Hardy became convinced
hat the Chinese intended to attack,
vhen their number should become suf-
IcieDtly great, and here, by a strange
reak Of chance, he found himself AL
lively involved in the ancient and i'm
nding war between Russia and Asia
mixed up In a fight to the death,
which was as much his fight as it was
he captains or the generals, or that
4 any sailor or Bouriat On board.
VIII you,' he said to the princess,
convey q slight suggestion to the
enerai for me? I make 1t III all
umility.'
She looked at him inquiringly as he
xplained, AS a result, some of the
zen were set to work dragging up
mattresses and bedding and piling
hem against the rail to form d BAL.
lcade. This work was not more than
alt completed when the b~rigands
their first attack. E~mboldened
y the accession Of half a dozen re-
they deployed IN a long line.