Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-11-11
THE NUWAB'S TREASURE

Whenever went TO the Jumoo
Gate and looked out upon the splendid
palace which the old nuwab lana had
built l felt like leading loo.ing
party through its gardens to the
underground treasure, and when
walked through the Sheitanpara or
Devils Quarter of the city. and
caught sight of the malicious eyes
looking at me from beneath black
brows felt my blood run cold. for
believed that in short time we
would feel the knives of these dark
faced demons in our vitals.
A few days before the outbreak at
Meerut where the Sepoys opened the
rebellion by numbering the white
officers of the native regiment the
old nuwab died. l don't know what
fastened his death. but it was said
that cobra bit him on the arm. aud
sent him out OF the world before he
could add his name to the black
rascals who were about to render the
names OF Cawnpore and Lucknow the
most famous as well as the darkest in
history.
One afternoon Casey. dare devil
young fellow who had run away from
home to take service with us in the
Punjab. came to me ana proposed a
scheme which could have found birth
in no other head than his. This was
secret visit to the palace and trip
to the underground region. provided
we could reach it,
You don't propose to steal any OF
, the treasure do you, Jack" asked.
Not much; "a ring or so for the
girls at home and maybe charm for
myself when | shall have served out
my time-something the treasurer of
the nuwab's household won't miss
If you don't want to go. Tom. I'll get
Murray or Hinton"
told him that sooner than see him
entrust his secret to those fellows
would join him. and we concluded to
make the attempt that very night
We met no one. or else the palace
was deserted. for it was rumored that
the servants had killed themselves
after the death of their MASTER and
keeping on, we camo at last to u door
set in the wall which Casey said was
the way TO the underground vaults.
In Il short time we were beneath
the palace Of the nuwab and | leaned
against wall of solid stone while my
companion inspected the map with a
match in one hand. Not sound
came to our ears and l felt uncanny.
for l knew that death would be our
| portion il we were seen by the merci-
less natives.
This is the way" cried Casey
Don't you see the strange trail on
the floor here as If IA serpent had worn
1t smooth by crawling along the iagsp
All we have to do is to follow this
trail and we will open our eyes to
the greatest treasure outside the royal
palaces of Delhi
Casey led me on and on, down a
passage which seemed endless. but at
last we came to an open door SO low
that we had TO stoop to enter the
chamber beyond. Here | straight
ened and looked at my comrade.
For the life OF me | could not have
PEELED to beat a retreat The wall:
were dry. even hot us if some unseen
fire ragged beyond them, and when
touched them ! turned to Casey and
declared that We wore approaching
the internal regions. but he laughed
and pushed on.
AT last we stood in n chamber which
the torch OF Casey revealed in a man
ner that drew u startled cry from IN,
throat We had reached tho mair
treasure house of the nuwab,
Gems glittered everywhere; they
lay on the floor in indiscriminate con
fusion - necklaces rings India.
brooches daggers with jeweled hilt
and swords tipped with diamonds tina
were enough TO have illuminated +
great room. Besides there were
Advantageous adorned with elfigies o
the native gods and goddesses Brah
ma silva Nishnu-the whole cata
logue was there and not one seemer
missing down to the smallest ant
most insignificant deity of the dark
skinned race.
All at once Casey's torch went GU
and we were left in utter darkness
The light was eXtinguished withou
apparent cause, and | felt my hear
come up in my throat as | thought @
some devil magic connected with tn
accident
Casey struck another match. but |
would not burn and in this way W
exhausted every one we had, THROWN
thcm on the floor with curses as "
deplored our failure.
I'VE must get backr | cried
There is some power at work her
and we will find ourselves in ira
unless we make tracks for the QUITE
rooms.
My God. the door is closed an
we are already shut in"
These words went to my heart lik
a sentence of death. They fell fror
Casey's lips and l started toward hir
In the dark. stumbling over a heap G
regalia only to find his words true
the door was shut and immovable!
Suddenly my hand came in contac
with something which sent a thrill G
horror through every nerve. di
not have to think the second time I
guess what ! had touched in tha
stygian gloom. for the contact wa
quite enough. had simply laid m.
hand on the body of boa!
For some time | leaned against tn
wall deprived OF the power of speech
/ wondered where the serpent wa
and how near to my body was his dis
gushing head. and the folds which ca
crush stag to death in an instant.
INV God | have touched n snake