Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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There is no occasion to. proclaim its morits from the housetops, but those who have used WHEELE.R'S CHILL TONIC will tell their neighbors, " It has cured me and it will cure you." FOR SALE BY THE R. B. LoRYEA Drug Store, ISA AC M1. LORYEA, Prop 'PHONE NO. 2. - MA NING, S. C. Kodol Dyspepsia Cure Digests what yous eat. This preparation contains all of the 4gtnts and digests all kinds of f l.tgveinstant relief and never a1.to cure. It allows you to eat all the food youwant. The most sensitive stoach1s can take it. By its use many thousands of dyspeptics have been cured after everything else failed. .It prevents formation of gason the stom ach, relieving all distress after eating. Dieting unnecessary. Pleasant to take. U cans't help biut do you good 9% *C*. DWrrT&OCago. The R. B. Loryea Drug Store. MONEY TO LOAN. I am prepared to negotiate loans on good real estate security, on rea sonable terms. R. 0. PUR~DY, Sumter, S. C. 'The Times DOES NEAT Job Printing. GIVE US A TRIAL. Comn T xupositio 1. Every attention will be shown visit ors and we especially invite the people to visit our liandsomne store to inspect our lines of Gent's Furnishings Clothing, and Hats. We handle no goods. but those which we can guarantee. Our Tailoring Department is perhaps the largest in the State and our tailors gre experienced workmen. A Suit made by us is sufficient war rant to fit. Come to see us. J. L DAVID & BRO., Cor. King and WXentworth Sts..' t 2 - STHE C( OF TH 13Y Jtfe. CHAPTER IX. T was fortunate that Mi I chaelStrogoff had left the posting house so prompt ly. The orders of Ivan Ogareff had been imme diately transmitted to all the approaches of the city and a full description of Michael.' sent to all the various commandants, in order to prevent his departure from Omsk. But he had already passed; through one of the breaches in the for tifications. His horse was galloping over the steppe, and, not having been Immediately pursued. the chances of escape were in his favor. It was on the 29th of July, at S o'clock In the evening, that Michael Strogoff had left Omsk. This town is situated about half way between Moscow and Irkutsk, where it was necessary that he should arrive within ten days if he wished to get ahead of the Tartar col umns. It was evident that the un lucky chance which had brought him into the presence of his mother had be trayed his incognito. Ivan Ogareff was no longer Ignorant of the fact that a courier of the czar had just passed Omsk, taking the direction of Irkutsk. The dispatches which this courier bore must have been of immense impor tance. Michael Strogoff knew, there fore, that every effort would be made to capture him. But what he did not know and could not know was that Marfa Strogoff was in the hands of Ivan Ogareff and that she was about to atone, perhaps with her life, for that natural exhibition of her feelings which she had been unable to restrain when she suddenly found herself in the presence of her son. And it was fortunate that he was ignorant of It Could he have withstood this fresh trial? Michael Strogoff urged on his horse, imbuing him with all his own feverish Impatience. requiring of him one thing only-namely, to bear him rapidly to the next posting house, where he could be exchanged for a quicker conveyance. At midnight he had cleared seventy versts and halted at the station of iou likovo. But there, as he feared, he found neither horses nor carriages. Several Tartar detaclrments had pass ed along the highway of the steppe. Everything had been stolen or requisi tioned both in the villages and in the posting houses. it was with difficulty that Michael Strogoff was even able to obtain some refreshment for his horse and himself. It was of great importance therefore to spare his horse, for he could not tell when or how he might be able to re place It. Desiring, however, to put the greatest possible distance between him self and the horsemen whom Ivan Oga reff had no doubt dispatched in pursuit, he resolved to push on. After one hour's rest he resumed his course across the steppe. And on July 30. at 4 p. in., Michael ' Strogoff, heedless of fatigue, arrived at ER19msk. There he vrs forced to give a night's rest to his horse. The courageoust beast could not have continued that journey ny longer.C At Elamsk there was no means of I transportation for the same reasons as I in the burghs already passed by-car riages and horses were gone. Elamsk, a small town the Tartars had not visited yet, was almost com pletely depopulated, for it was very1 easy to invade it from the south and almost impossible to succor it from the1 north. So relay of post, police station. government building. all . w.ere abran doed by governmen-aI ordrr, and on one side the functicuar:cs, cai the other the inhabitants. had gon to Kamsk, in the center of the Buaraba. Michael Strogoff was obliged to pass the night at Eiamsk to permit his horse to rest at least twelve hours. Hie re membered the instructions given him &t Moscow to cross S'.beria unknown. reach Irk-utsk at all hazards. btut also to not sacrifice success to the swiftness f his passage. Cor-sequently he was forced to spare the only means of trav el left him. On the morrow Michael Strogoff left1 Elamsk, and five days later, on the 5th of August, twenty-one days since start- ~ Ing, he found himself 1,500 versts yet distant from Irkutsk. Michael Strogoff was rapidly nearing Kalyvan when distant- detonations reached his ears. He stopped and distinctly heard the du, heavy reports which shook thei air, mingled with sharper and shrilleri sounds, the cause of which he well knew. Hie was only half a mile from _Kaly Ivan when a long jet of fiame flashed betwixt the houses of the city, and the spire of a church crumbled down in the middle of a torrent of embers and fire. At that moment the detonations were very violent. Soon the flames stretched] forth on the left of the city- The fire had devoured a whole quarter of Kaly-1 Michael Strogoff was running across the plaln,'trying to reach the cover of1 some trees scattered here and there, when a detachment of Tartar cavalry appeared on the right. Michael Strogoff could no longer go in that direction. The horsemen ad vanced rapidly toward the city, and it was difficult for him to escape. Sud 1eny at the corner of a thicket be saw g house which he might perhaps reach unperceived. To run, to hide himself; to ask and to take there, If need be. something to renew hIs strength, for he was exhaust ed with fatigue and hunger, was Mi chael Strogoff's only resource. He fled then to. this shelter, and, drawing near, he perceived that it was a telegraph station. Two wires were going east and west, and a third was stretched to ward Kalyvan. One would suppose that under the circumstances that station would have' been adandoned, but as it was Michael Strogoff could find there a refuge, wait for the night if'need be to g'avel again across the steppe which was searched by the Tartar pickets. Michael Str'ogotT hurried toward the door of that house and opened it hasti ly. A single person was in the room where the dispatches were written. He wa an employee, calm, cool, indiffer ent to all that was going on outside. Faithful to his post, he waited behind his window for the pubice to claim his services. Michael Strogoff went to him and with a voice br'oken by fatigue asked: "What do you know?" E; Vern~e "'Nothing." ::w:~dthe emlioye smiling. "Are the Russiins and Tartars figi ing?' "People say so." "But who are the victors?" "I dou't know:" So much coolness in the. midst these terrible occurrences, so much h difference even, was hardly possible. "And is not the wire cut?" asked M Wbael Strogoff. "It is cut between Klyvan and Kra: noiarsk, but i; works yet between Kal an and the Russian frontier." "For the government?" "For the government when they thin It proper, for the public when they pa: It is 10 copecks a word. I wait yot: orders, sir." Michael Strogoff was going to answc that strange operator that he had 1 dispatch to send; that he wanted oni . little bread and water, when suddei ly the door of the house was abruptl pened. Michael Strogoff thought the office ii aded by the Tartars and was about t jump through the window when he n ticed that men only entered th room and that. they were far from bi Ing Tartar soldiers. One of them held a dispatch writte in pencil, and, outrunning the other. b was at the window of the stoical en ployee. In those two men Michai Strogoff was astonished to discover tW persons he had thought never to se gain. They were the correspondent Earry Blount and Afcide Jolivet, n more traveling companions, but rivals nemies, now that they were operain n the battlefield. They had left Ichim a few hours oni after the departure of Michael Slrogof nd if they arrived before him at kala van in following the same route it wa because Michael Strogoff had lost thre ays on the borders of the Irtish. Ad now, after having witnessed the bc.ttl between the Russians and'tihe Tartar in front of the city, leaving the cit when the struggle was still going on i the streets, they had to run to the st. tion to send away their dispatches t Europe, each seeking to rob the othe f priority in describing the stirrin events. Michael Strogoff kept at a distance i the shadow, and without being seen h ould see all and hear all. He wa probably about to learn important new and know if he oughi to enter Kalyva r not. Harry Blount, more. alert than hi eoeague' had possession, of the wir ow and handed in his dispatch, whil A.lcide Jolivet, contrary ~to his habits stopped impatiently. "Ten copecks word," sai:1 the operator, 'taking th dispatch. Harry Blount placed a pile of ruble n the counter, his confrere looking -a him somewhat stupefied. "Well," said the employee, and wit mdisturbed sang froid he commence< o telegraph the following dispatch: )aly Telegrapl', L~ondon: From Kalyvaa, Government of Omsk, Siberia Lug. 6.-Engagement of' Russian troops with Tar That reading being made aloud, Mi hael Strogoff could hear all the Eng ish correspondent addressed to his pa Russian troops repusd with great iosses. Tar sa enter Kalyvtn this day. These words ended the dispatch. "My turn now." said Alcide Jolivet vho tried to pass his dispatch address d to his cousin of the Montmartre Fau >ourg. But that did not suit the English re orter, who thought of remaining a he window :zs long as he should hay tews to transmit, as fast as fresi ~vents might occur, so he did not giri lace to his confreire. "You are through?" cried Alcide Joll "I am not through." simply answere< larry Blount. And he went on writing words wvhici ie passed to the operator. who reat lery quietly: In the beginning God createdi heaven and earth. They were verses from the Bible Har 'y Blount was telegraphing to gait lme and not give place to his riva! chat would probably cost a few thou iand rubles to his paper, but his pape vould have the first information France might wat Think of the anger of Alcide Jolivet who under any other circumstance would have appreciated the joke. HI tren insisted that the operator shouli :ake his dispatchles in prefererce t' :hose of his confrere. "That is the right of the gentlemnan, ;ald the employee coolly, pointing t arry Blount, smiling kindly to him. And he continued to transmit to Th EDaily Telegraph the first book of th 2oy writ. While he was operating Harry Bloun rent to the window, and with his glas e observed what was going on abou alyvan, so as to complete his informa A few minutes later he took I~s plac igain at the offce window and added :o his telegram: Two churches in flames. The fire seems to gai n the right. The earth was without form an roid. Darkness covered the face cf the earth. Alcide Jolivet had simply ai ferocioti lesire to strangle the honorable re orter of The Daily Telegraph. He once mnore called upon the era loyee, who again coolly answered: "It is his right, sir; it is his right rn copecks a word." And he telegraphed the followin; ews, handed him by Blount: Ruan refugees escape the city. And God si "Let there be lisht, and there was light."~ Alcide Jolivet was literally transpori ed with rage. Meanwhile Harry Blount was agai: t the outside window, but this tim( absentminded probably on account o the spectacle he saw, he made his ot servations too long. So when the or rator had finished sending the thir< verse of the Bible Alcide Jolivet quie1 Ly took his place at the wicket and, a tiis colleague had done, placed a rf spectable pile of rubles on the des: and handed his dispatch, which the en: ployee read aloud: Madeleine Jolivet, 10 Faubcurg Montmartre. Paris Kalyvan, Government of omnsk, Aug. 6.-Rus iways fly from the city. Russians beaten. Furi aus pursuit by the Tartars. And when Harry Blount camne bac: he heard Alcide Jolivet completing hi telegram, singing musingly with mocli "There was a little man all dressed in gray,i Paris." ,mJid Jaliset thouelit it better not t mix sacred things with profane as his colleague had done, and he answered by a joyful chorus of Beranger to the verses of the Bible. At that moment a commotion shook the telegraph office. A shell had en tered the wall, and a cloud of dust till ed the waiting room. Alcide Jolivet was just finishing his verse, "as red as an apple, who, with out a penny," but without stopping threw himself on the shell, took it in his hands before it exploded, threw it out of 'the window and came batk to the wicket. It was all. done In an in stant. In fL.ve seconds the shell burst out side.. Then, continuing his telegram with periect coolness, Alcide Jolivet wrote: A shell of sixty pounds' weight has burst through the wall of the telegraph office. Expect some others of same caliber. - ' For Michael Strogoff there was no room to doubt but that the RussianT were repulsed from Kalyvan. His last. resource was, then, to hasten over the southern plain. But then the general discharge of guns was heard ferribly near the tele graph station. and a hailstorm of bul lets crashed through the window. Har ry Blount, struck on the shoulder, fell. Alcide Jolivet was at that moment k about to transmit this supplement to his dispatch: r Harry Blount, reporter of The Daily Telegraph, falls at my side, struck with a piece of bombshell. r But the operator told him with Im ! perturbable coolness: y "Sir, the wire is broken." I And, leaving his window, he quietly took his hat. which he brushed with his sleeve, and, always smiling, went out through a small door which i1 a chael Strogoff had not before noticed. 1 The station was then invaded by e Tartars, and neither Michael Strogoff nor the journalists were able to effect their retreat. ! Alcide Jolivet, with his useless dis e patch In hand, ran to -Harry Blount, stretched on the floor, and, kind hearted 1 as he was, took'him on his shoulders 0 with the Intention to flee with him. It e was too late s Both were prisoners, and with them o Michael Strogoff. talken by surprise ; when he was about to jump through g ihe window Into the hands of the Tar I tars. CHAPTER X. T a day's march from EKa lyvan, several versts be yond the town of Dia e chinks, stretches a wide plain,' planted here and e .lathere with great trees, 7 . principally pines and ce dars. TherestoodtheTartartents. There Feofer-Khan, the terrible emir of Bok hara, wa encamped, and there on the' following day, the 7th of August, were r: brought the prisoners aken at Kaly van after the annihilation of the Rus sian force, which had vainly attempted e to oppose the progress of the invaders. e Of the 2,000 men who had- engaged 8 with the two columns of the enemy, s the bases of which rested on Tomsk and Omsk, only a few hundred re mained. Thus events were going bad s ly, and the imperial government ap peared to have lost its power beyond the frontiers of the Ural. for a time at Ie a'st, for the Russians could not fail eventually to defeat the savage hordes of the .invaders. But in the meantime the invasion had reached the center of s Siberia, and It was spreading through tthe revolted country both to the east era and the western provinces. If the troops of the Amur and the province of Takutsk did not arrive in time- to occupy It, this capital of Asiatic Rus sia, being insufficiently garrisoned. 'would fall into the hands of the Tar tars, and before it could be retaken the grand duke, brother of the emperor, would be sacrificed to the vengeance of Ivan Ogareff. Feofar's camp presented a magnifi cnt spectacle. Numberless tents of skin or silk glistened in the rays of the sun. The lofty plumes which sur mounted their conical tops waved amid banners, flags and pennons or every color. The richest of these ten'ts be longed to the Seides and Khodjas, who are the principal personages of the. khanate. A special pavilion, ornament ed with a lhorse's tail issuing from a sheaf of red and whiter,sticks artistical ly interlacedl. indicated the high rank of these Tartar chiefs. Then in the distance rose several thousand of the Turcoman tents, which bad lieen car ried on the backs of camels. The camp contained at least a hun dred and tifty thousand soldiers, as many foot as horse soldiers, collected under the name of Alamanes. Among them and as the principal types of Tur kestan would bare been remarked the Tadjiks from their regular features, white skin, tall forms and black eyes and hair. They formed the bulk of the Tartar army, and of them the khanates of Khokhand and Koundough.llad fur nihed a contingent nearly equal to that of Bokhara. With the Tadjiks were mingled specimens of different races who either reside in Turkestan or whose native countries border on it. There were Usbecks, red bearded, small in stature, similar to those who had pursued Michael. Here were K~irghis. with flat faces like .the Kalmucks, dressed in coats of mail. Some car ried the lance, bows and arrows of Asi atic manufacture, some the saber, a matchlock gun and a little short han dled ax, the wounds from which Inva riably prove fatal. There were Mon gls, of middle height, with black hair plaited into plgtails, which hung down ~their backs, round faces, swarthy com plexions, lively deep set eyes, scanty beards, dressed in blue nankeen trim med with black plush, sword belts of leather with silver buckles, boots gayly braided and silk caps edged with fur and three ribbons fluttering behind. Brown skinned Afghans, too, might have been seen. Arabs, having the primitive type of the beautiful Semitic races, and Turcomans, with eyes which Looked as if they had lost the pupil-all enrolled under the emir's flag, the flag of Incendiaries and devastators. When the prisoners were brought into the camp, the emir was In his tent. He did not show himself. This was for -tunate no doubt. - A sign, a word, from him might have been the signal for -some bloody execution. But he in trenched himself in that isolation which constitutes in part the majesty of eastern kings. He who does not show hImself is admired and, above all feared. As to the prisoners, they were to be Spenned up in some inelosure where, ill treated, poorly fed and exposed to all the inclemnencies of the weather, they would await Feofar's pleasure. The most docile and patient of them all was undoubtedly Michael Strogoff. He allowed himself to be led, for they were leading him where he wished to go and under conditions of safety which free he could not have found on Sthe road from Kalyvan to Tomsk. To escape before reaching that town was . to risk again falling into the hands of the scouts who were scouring the steppe. At the same time with Michael Stro Sguff arid many other prisoners Harry m-ont andAlide Jonivet ha also been taken to the Tartar camp. Their for mer traveling companion, captured liki them at the telegraph office, knew tha they were penned up with him in thi inclosure, gLarded by numerous senti nels, but he did not wish to necos them. It mattered little to him, at thi: time especially, what they might thin] of him since the affair at ichim. Be sides, he desired to be alone, that hi might act alone if necessary. He there fore held himself aloof from his for mer acquaintances. From the moment that Harry. Bloun had fallen- by. his side Jolivet had no ceased his attentions to him. Durin the .ourney from Kalyvan to the cami -that is to say, for several hours Blount, by leaning oi his companion' arm, had been enabled to follow th rest of the prisoners. He had tried t make known that he was a British sub ject, but it bad no effect on the bar barians, who only replied by prods witl a lance or sword. The corresponden of The Daily Telegraph was therefor obliged to submit to the common lot resolving to protest later and to. obtal satisfaction for such treatment. Bui the journey was not the less disagree able to him, for his wound caused liin much pain, and without Acide Jolivet', assistance he might never have reachet the camp. - Jolivet. whose practical philosophy never abandoned him, had physically and morally strengthened his compan ion by every means in his power. Hi, first care when they found themselve definitely established in the inclosur< was to examine Blount's wound. Hav Ing managed to draw off his coat, h( found that the shoulder had been oni; grazed by the shot. "This Is nothing." he said; "a mer scratch. After two or three dressing. you will be all to rights." "But these di'essings?" asked Blount "I will make them for you myself." "Then you are something of a doc tor?" * "All Frenchmen Are something o1 doctors." And on this affirmation Alcide, tear ing his handkerchief, made lint of on piece, bandages of the other, took som water from a well dug in the middle o the Inclosure, bathed the wound, whicl happily was not serious, and skillfulli placed the wet rag on Harry Blount' shoulder. "I thank you, M. ,iolivet," said Har ry, stretching himself on a bed of dr' leaves which his companion had ar ranged for him In the shade of a bircl tree. "Now let us talk of what we ough to do. I assure you I have no intentioi of remaining a pri*soner to these Tar tars for an indefinite time." "Nor I either." "We will escape on the first oppor tunity?" "Yes, if there is no other way of re gaining our liberty." "Do you know of any other?" aske< Blount, looking at his companion. "Certainly. We are not belligerents we are neutral, and we will claim otr freedorn." "From that brute of a Feofar-Khan? "No; he would not understand,". an swered Jolivet; "but from his Uleuten ant, Ivan Ogareff." "He'is a villain." "No doubt. but the villain is a Rus sian. He knows that it does not do td trifle with the rights of men, and ha has no interest to retain us. On the contrary. But to ask a favor of tha gentleman does not quite suit m; taste." "But that gentletnah .is not in th< camp, or at least I have not seen hin here," observed Blount. "He will come. He will not fail t< do that. He must join the emir. Sibe ra is cut in two now, and very cer'tain ly Feofar's army is only 'waiting fo: him to advance on Irkutsk." "And, once frece, what shall we do?" "Once free, we will continue oul campaign and follow' the Tartars unti the time comes whet1 we can make ou: way -Into the Russian camp. We mus not give up the game. No. indeed; w have only just begun." The event so much wished fur by Jc liet and Blount, so much dreaded b. Michael, -occurred on the morning o the 12th of A ugust. On that day the trumpets sounded the drums beat, the cannon roared. i -huge cloud of dust swept along the road from Kalyvan. Ivan Ogareff, fol lowed by several thousand men, mad< his entry into the Tartar camp. At the first flourish of the trumpet! several officers of high rank, followe< by a brilliant escort of Usbeck horse men, moved to the front of the camp t< receive Ivan Ogareff. Arrived in his presence, they pai him the greatest respe'ct and invite4 him to accompany them to Feofar Khan's tent. Imperturbable as usual, Ogareff re plied coldly to the deference paid t< him. He was plainly dressed, but fron a sort of impudent bravado he stii wore the uniform of a Russian officer. As he was about to ride on to pas: -the enciente of the camp, Sangarre passing among the officers of the es cort, approached and remained motion less before him. "Nothing?" asked Ivan Ogareff. "Nothing." "Have patience." "Is the time approaching when yam will force the old woman to speak?" "It is approaching, Sangarre." "When will the old woman speak?" "When we reach Tomsk." "And we shall be there" "In three days." A strange gleam shot from Sangarre' great black eyes, and she retired witI a calm step. Ogareff pressed Uis spur into his horse's flanks and, followed b3 his staff of Tartar officers, rode toward the emir's tent. Feofar-Khan was -expecting his lieu. tenant. The council, composed of the bearer of the royal seal, the khodjr and some high officers, hand tak~en theil places in the tent. Ivan Ogareff dismounted, entered and stood before the emir'. FeofarKahn was a man of forty tall, rather pale, of a fierce counte nance and eyes with an evil expres sion. A curly black beard flowed ove: his chest. With his war costume, coal of mall of gold and silver, cross beli glistening with precious stones, scab bard curved like a yataghan and se1 with sparkling gems, boots with golder spurs, helmet ornamented with an ai gret of brilliant diamonds, Feofar pre seated an aspect rather strange that imposing for a Tartar Sardanapalus, an undisputed sovereign, who directs at his pleasure the life and fortunes of his subjects, whose power is unlimited, and to whom at Bokhara by special privilege the title of emir is given. When Ivan Ogareff appeared, the great dignitaries remained seated 01 their gold embroidered,. cushions, but Feofar rose from a rich divan which occupied the back part of the tent, th( ground being hidden under the thicki .elvet pile of a Bokharian carpet. The emit' approached Ogareff and gave him a kiss, the meaning of which he could not mistake. This kiss made the lieutenant chief of the council and placed him temporarily about the khda Then Veorar auresseu himself to Ivan Ogareff. t, "I have no need to question you." itaid he. "Speak, Ivn. You will find i here cars very ready to listen to you." t "This is what I have to make knowr. 5 to you," answered Ogareff. Ivan Ogareff spoke in the Tartar lan - guage, giving to his phrases the em phatic turn which distinguishes the Ian .uage of the orientals. --"This is not The time for unnecessary words. What I have done at the head of your troops you know. The lines of t the Iclim and the Irtish are now in our power. and the Turcoman horse men can bathe their horses in the now - Tartar waters. The Kirghiz hordes s rose at the voice of Feofar-Khan, and the principal Siberian route from Ichim > to Tomsk belongs to you. You can - therefore push on your troops as well - toward tLe east, where the sun rises, as i toward the west. where he sets." t "But the armies of the sultan of St. 3 Petersburg?" said Feofar-Khan, desig nating the emperor of Russia by this strange title. "You have nothing to fear from them, either from the east or from the west," replied Ivan Ogareff. "The Invasion has been sudden, and before the Rus sian army can succor them Irkutsk or Tobolsk will have fallen into your pow er. The czar's troops have been over whelmed at Kalyvan. as they will be everywhere where yours meet them." "And what advice does your devotion to the Tartar cause suggest?" asked th-e emir after a few moments' silence. "My advice," answered Ivan Ogareff quickly, "is to march to meet the sun. It is to give the grass of the eastern steppes to the Turcoman horses to con sume. It is to take Irkutsk, the capital of the eastern provinces, and witf it a hostage the possession of whom is worth a whole dountry; In the place of the czar the grand duke, his brother, must fall into your hands." This was the great result aimed at by Ivan Ogarel. To listen to him one would have taken him for one of the cruel descendants of Stephen Razine, the celebrated pirate who ravaged soufhern Russia in the eighteenth cen tury. To seize the grand duke, murder him pitilessly, would fully satisfy his hatred. Besides, with the capture of Irkutsk, all eastern Siberia would pass under the Tartar dominion. "It shall be thus, Ivan," replied Feo far. "What are your orders?" "Today our headquarters shall be re moved to Tomsk." t Ogareff bowed, and, followed by the housch-begul, he retired to execute the emir's orders. As he was about to mount his horse to return to the outposts a tumult broke out at some distance, in the part of the camp reserved for the prisoners. Shouts were heard and two or three shots fired. Perhaps it was an attempt at revolt or escape, which must be sum marily suppressed. Ivan Ogareff and the housch-begui walked forward a few steps, and al most immediately two men, whom the soldiers had not been able to keep back, . appeared before them. . The housch-begul, without more in formation, made a sign which was an order for death, and the heads of the . two prisoners would have rolled on the ground had not Ogareff uttered a few words which arrested tihe sword al ready raised. The Russian had perceived that these prisoners were strangers, and he or dered them to be brought up to him. They were Har-ry Blount and Alcide Jolivet IOn Ogareff's arrival in the camp they had demanded to be conducted to his presence. .The soldier's had refused. In consequence, a struggle, an attempt at flight, shots fired which happfly missed the two correspondents, but their exe cution would not have been long de layed if it had not been for the inter vention of the emir's lieutenant. The latter observed the prisoners for some moments, they being absolutely unknown to him. They had been pres ent at the scene in the posthouse at Ichim in which Michael Strogoff had been struck by Ogareff, but the brutal traveler paid no attention to the per sons then collected in the common room. Blount and Jolivet, on the contrary, recognized biin at once, and the latter said in a low voice: "Hello! It seems that Colonel Ogareff and the rude per sonage of Ichimi are one!" Then he added in his companion's ear: ."Explain our affair, Blount. You will ydo me a service. This Russian colonel In the midst of a Tartar camp disgusts me, and although, thanks to him, my I head is still on my shoulders, my eyes would exhibit my feelings were I to attempt to look him in the face." .So saying, Alcide Jolivet assumed a ylook of complete and haughty indiffer ience. I Whether or not Ivan Ogareff perceiv ed that the prisoner's attitude was in sulting toward him, be did not let It ,appear. -"Who are you, gentlemen ?" he asked in Russian in a cold tone, but free from its rudeness. "Two correspondents of English and French newspapers." replied Blount la conically. I"You have doubtless papers which will establish your identity ?" "Here are letters which accredit us in Russia from the English and French chancellor's office." Ivan Ogareff took the letters which Blount held out to him and read them I attentively. Then said he: S"You ask the authorization to follow Iour military operations in Siberia?" "We ask to be free; that is all," an I swered the English correspondent dry -"You are so, genthemen,"' answered Ogareff, "and I shall be curious to read your articles in The Daily Telegraph." "Sir," replied Harry Blount, with the most imperturbable coolness. "it is six Ipence a number. including postage." And thereupon Blount returned to his companion, who :appea red to approve completely of his replies. Ivan Ogareff, without frowning, mounted his horse and, going to the head of his escort, soon disappeared in a cloud of dust. "Well, M. Jolivet, what do you think of Colonel Ivan Ogareff, general in chief of the Tartar troops?" asked Blount. ~I think, my dear friend," replied Alcide, smiling, "that the housch-begui made a very graceful gesture when he gave the order for our heads to be cut Whatever was the motive which led Ogareff to act thus in regard to the two correspondents, they were free and could rove at their pleasure over the scene of war. Their intention was not to leave it. The soi't of antipathy which formerly they had entertained for each other had given place to a sin cere friendship. Circumstances having brought them together, they no longer thought of separating. The petty ques tions of rivalry were forever extin guished. Hp-rry Blount could never forget what he owed his companion, who, on the other sl, v.ner tried to .emind him ref it. This frie dShip, too, as isted the reporting operations and wa: tlis to the advantage of their renders. "And now," asked Blount, "what shall we do with our liberty.' "Take advantage of it, of course," replied Alcide, "and go quietly to Tomsk to see what is going on there." "Until the time-very near, I hope when we may rejoin some Russian reg iment." "As you say, my dear Blount, it won't do to Tartarize ourselves too much. The best side is that of the most civi lized army, and It is evident that the people of central Asia will have every thing to lose and absolutely nothing to gain from this invasion, while the Rus sians will soon repulse them. It is only a matter of time." The arrival of Ivan Ogareff, which had given Jolivet and Blount their lib erty, was to Michael Strogoff. on the contrary, a serious danger. Should chance bring the czar's courier into Ogareff's presence the latter could not fail to recognize in him the traveler whom he had so brutally treated at the Ichim posthouse, and, altnough Mi chael had not replied to the insult as he would have done under any other circumstances, attention would be drawn to him, and at once the accom plishment of his plans would be ren dered more difficult. This was the unpleasant side of the business. A favorable result of his arrival, however, was the orderwhich was given to raise the camp that very day and remove the headquarters to Tom'sk. This was the accomplishment of Mi chael's most fervent desire. His inten tion, as has been said, was to reach Tomsk concealed among the other pris oners-that is to say, without any- risk of falling into the hands of the scouts who swarmed about the approaches to this important town. However, in con sequence of the arrival of Ivan Ogareff and in the fear of being recognized by him, he questioned whether it would not be better to give up his first plan and attempt to escape during the jour ney. Michael would no doubt have kept to the latter plan had he not learned that Feofar-Khan and Ivan Ogareff had al ready set out for the town at the head of some thousands of horsemen. "I will wait, then," said he to him self; "at least unless some exceptional opportunity for escape occurs. . The ad verse chances are numerous on this side of Tomsk, while beyond the favor able increase, since I shall in a few hours have passed the most advanced Tartar posts to the east. Still three days of patience, and may God aid me." - CHAPTER XI. ST was 2 o'clock in the aft ernoon on the 12th of August, under a hot sun and cloudless sky, that the toptschi-baschi gave the order to start. Alcide and Bloufit, hav ing bought horses, had already taken the road to Tomsk. Among the prisoners brought by Ivan Ogareff to the Tartar camp was an old woman, whose taciturnity seemed to keep her apart from all those who shar ed her fate. Not a murmur Issued from her lips. She was like a statue of grief. This womnan was more strictly' guarded than any one else and, without her ap pearing to notice or evei. to suspect, was constantly watched by the gypsy Sangarre. Notwithstanding her age, she was compelled to follow the con voy of prisoners on foot, without any alleviation of her suffering However, a kind Providence had plac ed near her a courageous, kind hearted being to comfort and assist her. Among her companions in misfortune a y'oung girl, remarkable for her beauty and a taciturnity 'equal to that of the Sibe rian, seemed to have given herself the task of watching over her. - No words had been exchanged between the two captives, but the girl was always found at the old woman's side just when her help ~was useful. At first the mute as sistance of the stranger was not ac cepted without some mistrust. Grad ually, however, the young girl's clear glance, her reserve and the mysterious sympathy which draws together those who are in misfortune thawed Marfa's coldness. Nadia-for It was she-was thus able without knowing it to render to the mother those attentions Which she had herself received from the son. Her In stinctive kindness had doubly inspired h~er. In devoting herself to her service badia secured to her youth and beauty the protection afforded by the age of the old prisoner. On the crowd of unhappy. people, Im bittered by sufferings, this silentpali: one seeming to be the grandmother, the other the granddaughter-imposed- a sort of respect. After being carried off by the Tartar scouts on the lIrtish Nadia had been taken to Omsk. Kept a prisoner in the town, she shared the fate of all those captured by Ivan Ogareff and conse guently that of Marfa Strogoff. Thanks to her youpg companion, Marfa Strogoff was able to follow the soldiers who guarded the prisoners without being fastened to a saddle bow, as were many other unfortunate wretches, and thus dragged along this road of sorrow. "May God reward you, my daughter, for what you have done for my old age!" said Marfa Strogoff ouce, and for some time these were the only words changed between the two unfortu uate beings. Nadia also, If not completely silent. spoke little. However, one day her heart over fowed, and she- told, without conceal [n anything, all the events which had ccurred from her departur~e from Wadimir to the death of Nicholas Kor panoff. All that her young companion told intensely interested the old Sibe "Nicholas Korpanoff?" said she. "Tell me again about Nicholas. I know only one man, one alone, among all the youth of the time in whom such conduct would not have astonished me. Nicho las Korpanoff! Was that really his name? Are yo'u sure of it, my daugh "Why should he have deceived me in this," replied Nadia, "when he deceived me in no other way?" Moved, however, by a kind of pre sentiment. Marfa Strogoff put questions upon questions to Nadia. "You told me he was fearless, my daughter. You have proved that he has been so." said she. "Yes, fearless indeed," replied Nadia. "It was just what my son would have done," said Marfa to herself. Then she resumed: "DId you not say that nothing stop ped him, nothing astonished him, that he was so gentle in his strength that you had a sister as well as a brother in him and that lie watched over you like mother?" "Yes, yes," said Nadia; "brother, sis ter, mother-he has been all to me." "And defended you like a lion?" "A lion indeed," re'plied Nadia. "Yes, a lion, a hero." [Continued on next page.) Roofing Paper. 3-ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll. 2-ply Roofing Paper......52c per roll. 1-ply Tarred Paper....$35 per ton. Rosin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs. per roll..................30c per roll. 20-th. Paper...............38c per roll. 30-th. Paper...............50c per roll. All prices f.o.b. Charleston.. For direct shipments. from factory in lots of 25, 50 or 100 rolls, we can make closer delivered prices. CRROUNA PORJLRND EM0EN1Wt., 94-96 E. Bay St, CHARLESTON;S. C, Noilce 10 MIn olioho1r. OFFICE 6P JDZ oF PaoaM ,I Manning, S. C., August 1, 1900. f To Executors, Administrators, Guardians and Committees: - I rcspectfully call Your attention to annexed'. statute. You will please give this matter early attentioa. Very respectfully. J. M. WINDHAM, Judge of Probate. Sec. 2001 . Executors, Administrators, Guardians an Committees, shall annually while any estate remains in their care or cus tody at any time before the first day of July of each year, render to the Judge of Probate of the county from whom they obtain Letters Testa mentary or Letters of Administrators or Let ters of Guardianship, etc., a just and true ac count, upon oath. of the recepts and ex tures of such estate the precedingCaedr year, which, when examined and approed shall be deposited with the Inventory and ap-' praisement or other papers belonging to such estate, in the offlee of said Judge of Probate there to be kept for the inspection of such per sons as may be interested in the estate-(under former penalties.) Approved the 2d day of March, 1897. Money to Lend On improved farming lands. Terms: as long as wanted; interest, 7 per cent on large loans; 8 per cent on small loans. For particulars apply to - LEE & MOISE, Attorneys, Sumter, S. C. NO(TICML I have opened up a Sewing Machine store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's general merchandise store Augus 1st, 1900. I.will carry the ONs 1100 iii!8001100 M Meulg. The new ball-bearing "New Home;," the best machine made: also "New Ideal" and "Climax" from $18 to $40. I sell on Instalment, Easy Payment Plan. I clean and repair any kind of machines for least money possible. Call and see me. A. I. BARRON, Ag't. WHEN YOU COME TO TOWN CALL AT WELLS' SHAVING SALOON ,Which is fitted up with an eye to the comfort of his customers..... HAIR CUTTING IN ALL STYLES, S HAVINis. AND S H AM PO OrNG , Done with neatness an - dispatch.- .. .. .. A cordial invitation is extended. . J. L. WELLS. Manning Times Block. TO CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer; We ate now in position to ship our Beer all over the State at the folloying prices: EXPORT. Imperial Brew-Pints, at $1 per doz. Kuffheiser-Pints, at....90c per doz.* Germania P. M.-Pints, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT... A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from the highest grade of Barley Malt and Imported Hops, at.......1.1 per doz. .For sale by all Dispensaries, or sernd in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. CERMANIA BREWING 00., - Charleston, S. C. J. M. McCOLLOUGH, SHOEMAKER. Opposite Central Hotel. Give me a trial and 1 will give you the best work for little money. Harness Made & Repaired. Satisfaction guaranteed. Money to Loan. masy Terms. *APPLY TO WILSON & DuRANT. Land Surveying and Leveling, I will do Surveying, etc., in Claren- * don and adjoining Counties. Call at office or address-at Sumter, S. C. P. O. lBox 101. JOHN R. HAYNESWORTH. JA. WEINBERG, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNNING. S. C. JOSEPH F. RHAME, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. J. S. WLLSON. W. C. DURANT WILSON & DrRANT, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, MANNING, S. C. C. DAVIS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, MANNING, S. C. DR. J. FRANK GEIGER, DENTIST, MANNING, S. C. 'Phone No. 25.