The Delta independent., 1895-09-11
10 te Continued in our ne.rt issue)

his lands are small. Much has come to
him from his father, and more still he
has set by himself, for he is of n low
nature and boards his gold rather than
spend it. When the troubles broke out
he would be friends both with the lion
and the tigcr-with the Sepoy and
with the company's raj. Soon, however,
it seemed to him that the white mems
day was come, for through all the land
he could hear of nothing but their
death ana their overthrow. Yet, being
a careful man, he made such plans that,
come what might, half at least of his
treasures would be left to him. That
which was in gold and silver he kept
by him in the vaults of his palace, but
the most precious stones and the
choicest pearls that he had he put in
an iron box and sent it by q trusty
servant who, under the guise of n mcr-
chant, should take it to the fort at
Agra, there to lie until the land is at
peace. Thus if the rebels won he would
have his money, but if the company
conquer his jewels would be saved
to him. Having thus divided his
hoard he threw himself into the cause
of the Sepoys, since they were strong
upon his borders. BY doing this, mark
you, sahib, his property becomes the
due of those who have been true to
their salt.
'''This pretended merchant, who
travels under the name of Achmet. is
now in the city of Agra, and de
sires to gain his way into the fort. He
has with him as travelling companion
my fostcr-brother Dost-Akbar, who
~, Ill, Ia
promised this night to lead him to
side-postern of the fort, and has chosen
this one for his purpose. Here he will
come presently and here he will
find Mahomet Singh and myself await
ing him. The place is lonely, and none
shall know of his coming. The world
shall know of the merchant Achmet no
more, but the. great treasure of the
rajah shall be divided among us. What
say you to it. sahib?'
"In Worcestershire the life of n man
seems a great and a sacred thing; but
it is very different when there is--fre
and blood all round you and you have
been used to meeting death at every
turn. Whether AchInet the merchant
lived or died was thing as light as air
to me, but at the talk about the treas
ure my heart turned to it, and 1 thought
of what might do in the old country
with it, and how my folks would stare
when they saw their ne'er-do-well COM
ing back with his pockets full of gold
moidorcs. l had, therefore, already
made up my mind. Abdullah Khan,
however, thinking that l hesitated,
pressed the matter more closely.
''Considcr, sahib," said he, that if
this man is taken by the commandant
he will be hung or shot, and his jewels
taken by the government, so THAT no
man will be rupee the better for
them. Now, since we do the taking of
him why should we not do the rest as
rs we'll? The jewels will be as well
with us as in the company's Golfers.
There will be enough to make every
one of us rich men and great chiefs.
No one can know about the matter. for
here we are cut Off from all men.
What could be better for the purpose?
Say again, then, sahib, whether you
are with us, or if we must look upon
you as an enemy
"I am with you heart and SOUL"
said /.
"'It is we'll he answered, handing
me back my tirelock. you see that we
trust you, for your word, like ours, is
not to be broken. We have now only
to wait for my brother and the mer-
ohant.
docs your brother know, then, Of
what you will do?' asked,
1.-The plan is his, He has devised it.
We will go to the gate and share the
watch with Mahomet Singh
''The rain was still falling steadily,
for it was just the beginning of the
wet season. Brown. heavy clouds were
drifting across the sky, and it was hard
to see more than stone-cast. A deep
moat lay in front of our door, but the
water was in places nearly dried up,
and it could easily be crossed. 1t was
strange to inc to be standing there
with those two wild Puniaubees wait
ing for the man who was coming to his
death
Suddenly my eye caught the CLINT
of n shaded lantern at the other side of
the moat. 1t vanished among the
mound-heaps, and then appeared again
coming slowly in our direction.
"'Here they are" l exclaimed.
"'You will challenge him, sahib, as
usual whispered Abdullah. Give him
no ciuoe itdT. soSnu us III VIII
him, and we shall do the rest while
you stay here on guard. Have the
lantern ready to uncover, that we may
be sure that it is indeed the man.
THE light had fickered onwards,
now stopping and now advancing, un-
til could see two dark figures upon
the other side of the moat. let them
scramble down the sloping bank,
splash through the mire, and climb
halfway up to the gate, before !
challenged them.
"'Who goes there?' said I in q sub
ducd voice.
friends, came the answer. ! un-
covered my lantern and threw flood
of light upon them. The first was an
enormous Sikh, with black beard
which swept nearly down TO his cum
merbund. Outside of show ! have