Evening star., 1896-08-22

as 1t fell on the two white heaps that lay
still and motionless among the ferns and
flowers that encroached upon the road.
I'VE have all to thank you. Mr.. Hall. for
q most important service very ably carried
out" said the colonel, coming up behind
me.
Don't speak Of It, colonel" I said: at
Is really my machine that deserves the
thanks. guess you'll have to introduce
the bicycle into India for military pur-
poses"
For some purposes I can see 1t would
be Invaluable" he answered. gravely. AS
he spoke I could see that his eye dwelt
anxiously on the limited view before u.s.
What do you suppose these fellows will
do next. colonel?' l asked. after mo-
attack us here"
mo: certainly not with any idea of
storming the place." he said. decidedly
Indeed, am utterly at a loss to under
stand the business. I can only imagine
they want plunder or ransom, and yet
nowadays that kind of thing Is almost
unknown" AS he spoke he turned away
and crossed the courtyard to where q
little group of officers were standing, dis
cusstng the situation in low tones My
eyes glanced absently along the edge of
the fringe OF jungle which bounded the
view. when suddenly they were arrested
by the glimmer Of something white among
tne green. ana the next moment there
was a sharp ping" in the air close to me
and a bullet struck the stone arch lust
over my head. "
"Ah" exclaimed the colonel. Il thought
30. 30, gentlemen: In the meantime. Mr.. Hall.
pray come under shelter-there seem to be
some fair shots among them
adopted the suggestion, and strolled
over toward the little party Of perhaps
1ozen men with whom the colonel was
talking: As 1 came nearer them the first
Words heard We're from one Of the young
er oncers Excuse me- Colonel Maitland.
but 1t would be quite impossible; surely
around quickly. as If to impose silence on
tne group. and then turned to me az I
came up: There was a look of annoyance
a, and a anxiety K on his frank. soldierly face, as
Producing your name behind your back in
q matter like this. It Is more than due
you that 1 should take you into my conf
renre rtnns d,e,o az once. The fact is. am in
cen,municate with the troops at once. but
the diHculty is how to do it. These fel-
lows won't attack us here-at any rate not
sio M r;ya uay,agn.Iand they probably rely upon
important not only that we should be re-
lieved. but that this kind ofI thing should
oe oepusn put an END to at once for all. A single
Ghoorkas from Koondewalih would do r.
know 'AeA'A
TIL ride down. colonsir' said the young
horse is only too fresh, and he'd DO II IN
two hours at the outside" !,
your horse. Mr.. Chambers Is a gray. II
sunposs am not stbas tmbstaken.what chance DO you
getting TN through? MOI have thought
OF an that. and am convinced that it is
hardy possible on horseback. The only
nope would be on foot, orr" and here
me coionei paused unaasily. IT guess
tne plcycle would have better chance
still; wouldn't It, co1onel?' / said.
Inat was the very remark was max
Ing as you came up, Mr. Hall, only some
Of us are inclined to think It unfair that
all the honors Of war should fall to you.s
"Oh, as to the honors, colonel, I'm not
particular ABOUT them. but It strikes me
We'r9 all IN the Same boat, and the point
e who has the best chance Of getting to
fhe1s sus:. tbats asn aais said and done colonel
The colonel turned to mo and held out
his hand cordially. II knew you'd say
sou, :s e. :a'd 6t ssa esar.. 'hsaz fs55. y.
Free, Ec1a,.Ms,S,F oasmSsr, In afraid. even with your
II gives you 9 vast advantage over any
e thaf IT. son 5esl q % Il end believe on MY so
Unwilling, as I could easily see all the
otners were to surrender to me the post Of
danger, the truth Of this view was SO evil
dent that. after little denaur on the part of
several OF them, II was tacitly agreed that
snould make the attempt. Under ordinary
cifcumstances As the colonel explained. the
plan ADOPTED would have been to trust tn