The herald., 1894-04-15

their eyes simultaneously toward the |
spot whence the sound proceeded.
The sight that met their eyes was well |
calculated to strike them with conster-
nation, for there, within short distance /
of them, rushing from the falling por-
tails Of the ancient ruins and charging |
down upon them with flashing bayonets,
was what seemed to them in the terror
and confusion Of the moment a whole
army Of redcoats-
So swift was the movement of the
troops that the major had seized the
trembling widow and was brandishing
his heavy sword, laundering, "Avaunt,
wretches, avauntr' before the dismayed
and recoiling priests had thought of pro-
tecting their suttee.
Then he commanded his men to form
in a square about the pile
While tho order was being executed
an aged priest stepped forward, drew
up his bent form, and pointing long,
bony finger at tho English colnmandant
said in an austere veice;
Wherefore this sacrilege, audacious
Englishman? Wherefore oomest thou
with thy soldiers to disturb this right
eous ceremony? Deliver up to us the
woman to whose person thou hast no
right, that the glorious sacrifice may be
delayed no longer and that bloodshed
may be avoidedl''
DOG Of priesti You dare to threat
en?'' cried the major violently. "I tell
you Rahadoor's widow is in my lawful
possession, and there she shall remain
till the English authorities decide what
is to be done with her And, as for you
and your people, in the name of the
queen of England command you to let
us depart in poaceP'
''And we," said the Brahman in his
deepest voice, half turning toward the
| thousands behind him, "in the name of
Brahma, the prophet we command thee
! to restore to our hands the young wom-
/ an Of whom thou hast robbed up by
| vile trickp'
Upon this invocation Of their prophet
the Hindoos set up fierce cries and be-
gan topush toward the pyre. The priests
in front, irresistibly driven on by those
behind, were pressed against the formi-
dable row of bayonets, but no sooner did
they feel their sting than they turned
about frantically and endeavored to
check the excited people. The latter,
seeing some of their priests bleeding,
besitated and recoiled.
Taking advantage of this, the COM
mandant quickly wheeled his men into
line and gave the order to charge. With
deafening hurrah the British sprang
forward The wavering Hindoos, panic
struck at tho onrushing array of bris-
Ting bayonets turned ON their heels with
dreadful yells and were soon flying over
the plain in all directions.
When the last terrified native had
disappeared in the jungle, the major
stopped the pursuit, which had been
conducted without much loss of blood,
and returned with his men to the ruins,
where he found the widow in one Of che
halls being cared for by the surgeon at
tached to the regiment. She had retov-
cred from her swoon, and wrapped in q
blanket sat propped up on an improvlsed
Iie surgeon withdrew upon the en-
trance Of tho major, who, approaching
the couch, took the soft hand of the
widow in his own, as though she were
child, saying in Hindoostanee:
Tell me, poor creature, what is your
name?',,.,, ssd oasasa., "a ,oyslr
Natalie" replied the spttee shyly.
s'Well, Natalie, you need fear no
longer--your enemies are routed.
MY enemies?" repeated Rahadoor IS
widow, locking up curiously.
eyes, the miserable Brahmans, who
would have cruelty burned you on old
Rahadoor's funeral pile but for the time
ly interference of the English. "
'Oh, 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 a treaty with your princes
abolishing the suttee?" pursued the Off
GER 4ja74 Hs.
Natalie shook her head
"Yet It is true. So your own people
were deceiving you You have the right
to live - e. fo3i.91
"Ah," saidsthe young woman sweet
ly, bright light coming into her dark
eyes, II really have the right to liver"
Undoubtedly. Are you not glad?''
"I-I doat know" stammered Ma
talie, something like shadow Of fear
darlrening her lovely face. my people
will curse me, and when I return to
them, if they have deceived me, as you
say, will they not carry out the cere-
lnuny when you are gone and they need
no longer fear your intervention?'
u They can never carry out the cere-
mony, little NatSlic,s'" returned the ma
jor. 81 have taken my precautions
LcokingAnd' he .poiated toward large
opening in the crumbling walls, through
which one. could see dense volume of
smoke rising in great clouds far into the
ky.
''You see, he continued, ''you have
nothing more to fear there. BY my or
ders old Rahadoor is having funeral all
by himself. And as for you, little Ma
talie, no harm shall como to you. You
shall be protected. You shall not go
back to your people. Put your trust in
me. ("
Natalie fixed her beautiful eyes on the
animated face above; then she said sim
ply:
II trust you--indeedI do, for you are
the only man Fhave ever dared to speak
to without trembling for fear. And yet
have always been taught to hato your
people. "