A. RUSSIAN 'OLDIER'S ADVENTURE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 137, 12 June 1895, Page 3

A. RUSSIAN 'OLDIER'S ADVENTURE.

A paily of Russian engineer officers ventured ia the bosl iie terriloiy of Bokhara with the bope of surveying ir befoie they were discovered. But they were compelled to relinquish their design by the appearance of nu ovei whelming force ol Bokhariotc horsemen, who quiekly surrounded them. Seeing that le-istance was impossible, lhe Russian leader advanced withf iendly greetings announced himself as a special envoy from the Czar to the Ameer, and in that character demanded to be led into the presence of that important personage. The ruso worked hke a charm, and the party made a triumphant enlry ii. tithe capital, escorted by their captors. With due ceremony tho gentlemen were admitted to an audience, and the chief officer, with dignity and impressiveness, conveyed assurances of profound regard from the Czar of all the Bussias to his royal brother, and concluded by presenting bis own gold watch and silver-handled knife to the savage despot as gifts from his august master to the Ameer. Eveiything was proceeding smoothly, when the Asiatic king upset the whole business by asking for the Czar's letter — he knew how such matters were conducted ; of course, the Czar had accom panied his gifts by a letter. At this demand the self-appointed ambassador turned as pale as death and stood the pieture of mute despair. But a yonng subaltern at his side came to the rescue. With almost a preteinatural presence of mind he drew forth his pocket-book and carefully unfolded an old playbill of the Alexander Theatre in St Petersburg, and coolly read from it an imaginary letter of congratulation, winding up by handing it to tbe Ameer witb a profound obeisance. His eminence of Bokhara had already seen the Czar's name appended to official documents, and was entirely satisfied by the sight of the huge line " Alexander " at the top of the bill, together with the double eagle of Russia, and the precious playbill was reverently deposited among the archives of Bokhara, where it probably remains to this day, a source of wonder and amusement.