The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-06

AAesh hSAu NeA' w Iicr IL llBnCeu COrCn,
with which she was to set fire to the
great heap before stretching herself by
the side of her husbands body.
Rahadoor's widow took the torch, with
q sweet smile, and waving her hand to-
ward tho people i'll token of last fare
we'll bravcly placed one foot ON the first
step of the flight leading up to the old
Hindoo's couch.
AT that moment bugle blast rang
out over the valley. The natives, star
tied by this sudden interruption, turned
their eyes simultaneously toward the
spot whence the sound proceeded.
The sight that met their eyes was we'll
calculated to strike them with conster-
nation, for there, within short distance
of them, rushing from the falling Dor
tails of the ancient ruins and charging
down upon them with flasl. ng bayonets,
was what seemed to them i'll the terror
and confusion of the moment a whole
army of rcdcoatS.
So swift was the movement of the
troops that the major had seized the
trembling widow and was brandishinp
his heavy sword, laundering, "Avaunt,
wretches, avaunt!' before the tlismayed
and recoiling priests had thought of pro-
tecting their suttec.
Then he commanded his men to form
i'll q square about the pile
While the order was being executed
an aged priest stepped forward, drew
up his bent form, and pointing long,
bony finger ut the English commandant
said III All auStcrc voice:
Wherefore this sacrilege, audacious
Englishman? Wherefore CONTEST thou
with thy soldiers to disturb this right
cous ceremony? Deliver up to us tho
woman to whose person thou hast 10
right, that the glorious sacrifice may be
delayed no longer and that bloolshcd
MAY be avoidedr'
Dog of Il priest! You dare to threat
emp cried the major violently. 81 tell
You Rahadoor's widow is i'll my lawful
possession, and there she shall remain
till the English authorities decide what
is to bic done with her. And, as for you
and your people, i'll the name of the
us depart i'll peace"
"And we" said the Brahman in his
deepest voice, half turning toward the
thousands behind him, Gin the name of
Brahna, the prophet, we command thee
to restore TO our hands the young wom-
an of whom thou hast robbed up bv n
vile trick!'
Upon this invocation of their prophet
the Hindoos set up fierce cries and be-
gan topush toward the pyrc. The priests
III front, irrcsistibly driven on by those
behind, were pressed against the forni-
dablc row of bayOncts, but no sooner did
they feel their sting than they turned
about frantically and cndcavored to
check the excited people. The latter,
seeing some of their priests bleeding,
hcsitatcd and rccoilcd.
Taking advantage of this, the COM
mandmt quickly wheeled his men into
line and gave the order to charge With
dcafening hurrah the British sprang
forward The wavcring Hindoos, panic
struck at the onrushing array of bris-
Ting bayonets, turned Oh their heels with
dreadful yclls and were soon flying over
the plnin in all directions.
When the last terrified native had
disappeared in the jungle, the major
stopped the pursuit, which had been
N'iiNtuttt't W ltliOut InliCIl lOSS vi
and returned with his men to the ruins,
where he found the widow in one of the
halls being cared for by the surgeon at
tached to the regiment She had rccov-
cred from her swoon, and wrapped in
blanket sat propped up OH an improviscd
couch.
The surgeon withdrew upon the eli
trance of the major, who up, lroaching
the couch, took the soft hand of the
widow Ill his own, as though she We're a
child. saying i'll Hindoostancc:
'Tcll me, poor creature, what is your
namc:''
Natalie, F." replied the suffice shyly.
We'll, Natalie, you need fear no
longcr-your enemies are routed"
My cncmics?" repeated Rahadoor's
widow, looking up curiously.
Yes, the miserable Brahmans, who
would have cruelty burned YOU on old
Rahadoor's funeral pile but for the time
ly interference of the English
ooh, but they are not my enemies
they are my friends who were only do
ing their duty-and was ready to die.
she added slowly.
But do you not know that the Eng
lish have treaty with your princes
abolishing the suttcc?'' pursued the Off
Ger.
Natalie shook her head.
Yet it is truc. So Your OWL people
were dccciving you. You have the right
to live. 3"
"Ah, 2" said the young woman sweet
ly, bright light coming into her dark
eyes, Il really have the right to live?'
Undoubtedly. Are you not glad?"
IL don't know" stammercd Ma