The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-08-11

~ h&bgH MI "A we substituted otne
eA&l paper for the obnoxious
~ stuff but the Sepoy.
would not listen to US
Theywere ripe for revolt
and, led by that devil of devils Mana Sahib
thew determined to blot the white men from
the face of the land.
And they came near doing it.
Khirzabad was the old-time seat Of The
nuwabs of the region, and their palaces were
to be seen on every hand. stately edihces which
had cost money and blood. and beneath some o
these were the secret treasure-houses of theil
owners. We even longed for war, SO as to have
an excuse for plundering some of these places
and our imagination was so worked up by the
fabulous tales we heard about the roya
gems that one-hslf of the regiment went wild
over the merest mention of the spoil.
Whenever ] went to the Jumoo Gate and
looked out upon the splendid palace which the
old nuwab Tana had built, felt like leading q
footing party ttrcagh its gardens to the under
ground treasure, and when l 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 j believed that in 9
short time we would feel the knives of these
dark faced demons in our vitals.
cannot tell you how much treasure the old
nuwab was said to own. Some who pretended
TO know said that the underground apartments
of the palace were one vast treasure house-
that he had jewels heaped on jewels, and that
the floors were Uttered with gold ornaments,
gold idols and gods with eyes of precious stones.
believed all Of this cared to, but it was not
to be denied that the nuwsbs were immensely
wealthy and had piles of treasure somewhere.
few days before the outbreak at Meerut,
where the Sepoys opened the rebellion by MUIR
dering the white officers of the native regiment,
the old nuwab died. / don't know what has
tened his death, but 1t was said that q cobra
bit him on the arm, and 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.
With the nuwabs death rumore of immense
treasure were revived, and we turned our eyes
to the palace and wistfully watched 1t e. we
passed the walls
One afternoon Casey, . daredevil young
fellow who had run away from home to take
service with us In the Punjab. came to me and
proposed q scheme which could have found
birth in no other head than his. This was SIM
underground region, provided We could reach
it.
"You don't propose to steal any of the treas
ure, do you, jack" asked.
Not much; ring or so fer the girls at home
and maybe charm for myself when / shall
have served out my time-something the treas
urer of the nuwab's household won't miss. If
you don't want to CO. Tom. Tn 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
As we were cautioned against doing anything
that would serve to widen the breach between
rs and the natives We were compelled TO pro-
coed with the utmost caution, and when night
fell round the city and the wind which came
up from the river stirred gently the leaves OF
the tall tamarinds, we started out on the most
frightful adventure of our lives.
1t was no trick at xll 70 reach the garden of
the dead nuwab and when we were there we
got further on by stealth and soon found our
selves in the house. It was Q palace of 500
rooms, some containing elephant ststusry
which looked colossal in the dim light that
guided us. Casey had what he called plan Of
the inside Of the palace, and his movements
showed me that he had studied II for months.
We met no one, or else the palace was de-.
serted, for il was rumored that the servants had
killed themselves after the death of their mas
ter, and keeping on, We came at last to door
set in the wall, which Casey said was the way to
the underground vaults.
In short time We were beneath the palace of
the nuwab, and leaned against wall Of solid
with a match in one hand. Not Q sound came
to our ears, and felt uncanny, for knew that
death would be our portion il we were seen by
the merciless natives.
"This is the way" cried Casey. "Don't you
see the strange trail on the aoor here as il q
serpent had worn it smooth by crawling along
the flags? 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.
Come on, Tom. You don't think Of drawing
back, do your"
did not answer, for an immense bat which
had wings tipped with ice, as IL seemed, had
brushed my face leaving on my cheek q cold,
shiny substance that looked like blood when
touched it with my finger.
Casey led me on and on, down Q 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 Strengthened and
looked al my comrade.
For the life of me could not have found my
way out IL had been compelled to beat 70.
treat. The walls were dry, even hot a il some
unseen IRE ragged beyond them, and when ]
touched them / turned to Casey and declared
that We were approaching the internal regions
but he laughed and pushed On.
At last we stood in q chamber which the
torch OF Casey revealed in manner that drew
astarted cry from my throat We had reached
the main tressure-house of the nuwabi
Gems glittered everywhere; they lay on the
foor in indiscriminate Observation-Disclosures
rings, Indian brooches, daggers with jeweled
hils and swords tipped with diamonds thai
were enough 10 have illuminated great room
Besides, there were drinking cups adorned with
eftgies of the native gods and goddesses Brah
ma, 6ivss Vishnu-the whole catalog wal
there, and not one seemed missing, down Z,
the smallest and most Insignificant deity O
the dsrk-skinued race.
Ali at once Cssey's torch went out and vi
were left In utter darkness. The light wa
eItinguished without apparent cause, and
felt my heart come up In my throat rs
thought of some devil magic connected Will
she accident.
Casey struck another match, but it woult
sot burn, and in this way we exhausted ever,
one we had. throwing them on the floor will
curses as we deplored our failure.
I'VE must get back" cried. "There
some power at work here and we will find our
selves in 9 trap unless we make tracks for tn
outer rooms"
My Godl the door il closed and we ar
already shut in!
These words went to my heart like q sentenc
6 death. They fell from Casey's lips and
Children Crv fol