Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-07-02
MOBEED BY MISTAKE.
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SpIdng out OF Deu III tnflce ana
struck light. 1t revealed the half-
naked figure of little Gunpat. His eX.
preston was one of Indignation rather
than of terror.
What is it, | demanded.
"Those pigs Of rioters, Sahib." he re-
piled. They have broken loose at
last"
Then, for the first time | became
aware Of the tumult in the streets sur
rounding the house Brawling voice,
AMI the restless patter Of facr rose
hoarsely on the night air. coald lis.
tinguish the shrill Din. Din" of tne
MOhaMMgIans-theil aiiyug cry 10
battle. From afar | heard the faint
penling of bells and the rattle Of MUS
kerry. y Lively commotiOn WAS gO.uc
on downstairs, hanging Of dours. and
showing of furniture, iutcrlarded with
husky voices.
Gunpat slipped away for moment
and hurried on my shirt and trousers.
| felt decidedly mcomforlablr. to say
the least c0uid not forget the black
looks that had greeted me- on the pre-
yious afternoon. Europeans were in
bad odor at Bcnares Just now. |
glanced at the clock. The hands point
ed to an hour past midnight. began
to consider what had bet1rr 90. was
puzzled to account for the nun,appcar-
anCe of Bab0O Das.
Meanwhile the tumult had sWellcd TO
a frightful din. The streets without
seemed to D. ch0ked with rioters. "llin
Sita RAM they yelled "Slny the her
etic. Loot his house. Down with the
destroyers of the faith
| was fully alive to the situation now.
and the thought of my peril sicllened
me. i moment later succession of
heavy tluds, followed Uy Il lrcmrmdDLs
crash and burst of cheers. told that
the main entrance of tine lousn had
been beaten in. Cries of rage and ter
rOr and the sounds of deadly conflict
tloated mp the staircase
determined to escape, if such Il
thing were possible. There was no
time to put on shoes or coat. | seized
my money and papers and jammed
them into the pockets of my trousers.
| ran to the window and looked out.
Alas! The courtyard swarmed with
dusky figures. The only avenue of es.
cape was cut off.
| turned back into the room. resolved
to sell my life dearly. had no weap-
ons, but on the wall hung Tibetan
shield and spear, trimmed with yak's
tails. dragged them down and rushed
for the door. Before | could close it
entirely a figure slipped through the
crack, and | very nearly impaled Gun
pat on my spear.
THE Sahib must fight" he exclaimed.
''Baboo Das has fled. and the rioters are
downstairs and everywhere. They
have killed some of the servants. and
now they will search for my master,
whom they hate. They believe he is in
the house. They will kill you, too.
Sahib, if they find YOU"
What shall we do?" l demanded.
us there way to escape?"
None, Sahib. We must push furni-
ture against the door and fight. The
police and the soldiers will be here
But surely the mob won't hurt lit.
tie chap like YOU" replied, filed with
admiration at the lads bravery. Go
while you can. Gunpat."
NO. he answered calmly, my duty
is with the Sahlb. | will stay here"
There was no time to argue, for al
ready the bloodthirsty miscrcants were
pattering up the staircase with shouts
and yells. The door had only n frail
bolt on the inside. but luckily the furni-
ture of the room was massive. Gunpat
seemed to know just what was wanted.
He helped me to the best of his
strength, and hardly was the barricade
in place when the mob surged through
the hall.
THE hereto is trapped" they cried.
at sight of the closed door. Come out,
Sita Ram, and meet your fate"
Crash! crash! crash! The door trem-
hled under the rain of heavy blows. A
table that was on the summit of the
barrlcade toppled to the floor and burst
asunder, The mob heard the fall and
yelled eXultantly.
Gunpat twirled his spear between his
supple fingers. THE end will be soon.
Sahib," he said quite calmly. The next
instant he gave an eager cry and point
ed overhead. There | saw for the first
time n small circular trap-door.
"Where does 1t lead?" l demanded.
'ro the roof" replied Guupat. MY
master sits there on hot evenings. But
there Is no ladder. We must take from
the barricade, Sahib."
No sooner said than done. Hardly as
they could be spared we removed n
table, a chest OF drawers, and two