New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-04-26

Sy OuL All D0NA Wa SoASc :
wish you did not think so much OF
Princess Daria."
It had never occurred to- me to doubt
Count Vasca's ability as leader.
had become used to hearing him spoken
highly of, but during the next few
days it did seem to my Impractical
mind that he lost good opportunities.
He knew the country and the enemy,
l knew neither, and | therefore con
cluded that he knew best. Gl
We advanced slowly until we were
under the walls of Yadasara, and yet
It seemed to me that we had accom-.
plished nothing.
Are we going to attempt to take it
by assault?' asked Organ.
l shook my head. Although with
other knights was constantly in coun-
Gil with Count Vasca, had no idea
what his intention was. He looked
sagacious, talked valiantly, but did
nothing. Still, it was absurd to think
that he was afraid, as Organ sug-
gested.
you can never tell" Organ said
when l laughed at the idea. "Such a
stronghold might brighten the bravest
man." ..
Between our encampment and the
city ran Il broad river, full of strange
and unexpected currents and of i'm
mense depth, so Organ told me. The
city lay obliquely to the river in the
form Of rough triangle, the city gates.
as I afterward found, being situated
at the angles at the base Of this tri-
angle, and the city rose from this base
gradually toward the huge rock which
formed the apex of the triangle. This
rock, which was the only part Of the
city which actually touched the river,
rose sheer ont of the water for at
least GOO feet, with hardly a birds
foothold upon it. 1t was the dominant
feature, towering above the highest
part of the city, presenting problem
as to how access was obtained to the
fortress browning the summit. 1t was
a problem was destined to solve later.
The fortress seemed to be cut out of
the solid rock
For several days we encamped idly
before Yadasara. The enemy had re-
crossed the river by means of bridge
Of boats nearly two miles higher up the
stream, but we made no attempt to fol-
low them. 1 was doubtful if they had
ever crossed it in great force. AS far
as one could Judge, there was no ex-
element in the city.
I spoke to Walen about it.
IF we are not to attack the city
why are we here?" l asked.
1.-THE enemy have retreated. Proba--
bly, the count thinks that victory
enough" .r.
II do not wonder that the war has
been such long one if it has been
carried out in this way"
"No wonder you are impatient, my
dear Verrall So am l. But, then,
vasca commands. It is not without
certain pleasure that I see his COM
parative failure. Her highness may
next time intrust her forces to ADLER
hands,"
I could not mistake his mea aiming.
could not afford to underplay my part.
ut shall be no laggard's campaign,
then, promise you, Sir Walen." I an
swered.
That night, being sleepless, stole
out Of camp to the river. Suddenly
there was sound near me. l stepped
back quietly into the darker shadow
Of tent and listened. There was no
installing the sound now-stealthy
feet-and the next moment two figures
hurried past me toward the river AMI
disappeared over the bank. l opened
my mouth to give the alarm as 1
heard the first dip Of an oar, but be-
fore I could cry out a third figure was
at my side.
1t was Count VaSca.
"Is it treachery:" he whispered.
l pointed to the river, where the dim
outline of a boat was just discernihIe
as it crept into the shadow of the great
rock.
81 heard the sound Of footsteps and
followed" he said. "How came you
here?"
Il could not Sleep
He was silent for moment.
"Better let them think they have got
away undiscovered. l will at once
have sentry placed here. We will
not give the alarm tonight. Let's to
bed, Sir Verrall. This means action
at last"
"When?" l asked.
''Soon surely since they take to spy.
ing upon us. You grow impatient.
would that / could trust all as l trust
you. There are white livered knights
among us, Sir Verrall, or we had made
more progress"
He left me at my tent and with a
good night went on toward his own.
I told Organ what had happened
and repeated the counts words.
'"There has always been a sentry by
the river" he said thoughtfully. "Per-
haps he knew who the fugitives were
and had made arrangements for their
easy escape"
AYE, and was so anxious about them
that he followed to make certain