The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-27
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CCopyright. 1896. by Bacfelier. Johnson ano
Bucheiler.l

fCopyright 1885, by Bacfseller, Johnson ano
Bacheilerl
1t had been long, tiring day, and
both Dick Thurston and i were ready
for a few hours rest. We had already
taken possession of the most promising
house in the village, and we were in
dulging in a smoke while we waited for
the production of Whatever was to serve
as our evening meal. Very few men OF
my acquaintance had much better
idea of taking il easy than Capt. Rich
ard Thurston usually known among
his friends as "Dick Thurston'), of the
Thirty-ninth Bengal native infantry,
when he gave his mind TO it. He had
now got his legs comfortably estab-
lished on one sent while he leaned back
in another, and nobody TO look at him
would have taken him for the same
man who had been everywhere and
done nearly everything that afternoon
in our sharp skirmish withth Burmese
enemy. / was in the very act of think
ing this myself, looking iazily at Dick
as / did so, when / heard the sentry
outside challenge, and the next moment
the orderly sergeant s1ood inside the
door saluting. "Well?" said Dick, sit
ting up, his eyes wide open and alert
in a moment.
"Arha Bllah has asked to see the cap
tain, sahib,P said the sergeant prompt
ly, "and the doctor, sahib, says he has
not long to speak"
..Ah., said Dick, withdrawing his
legs from the seat on which they rested,
.I thought he was hit hard, poor beg
gar. wonder why that brute was so
determined to have Agha-he might
have had me good deal easier. All
right, sergeant, I'll be there directly"
With another salute the sergeant left
the room.
"Come along. Bert" said Dick turn
ing TO me-" you may as well be there,
too. in case he wants to leave message
it'll be safer with two than one in
these times"
We buclled on our sword belts, and
I'm three minutes we had reached the
hut in which the captains servant lay
diving of ferocious wound received
Just at the end of the afternoons skir-
mish. The scene was impressive. The
hut, which was large one, was lighted
chiefly by fire burning at the end far
thest from the rough bed on which
the dying soldier was lying.
Dick stepped forward to the foot of
the rude bed, and at the sound of his
step the dying soldier opened his eyes.
A fash of recognition and affection
lighted up his face as lie recognized
his captain, and he beckoned feebly
with his hand.
"you wanted to see me, Agha," Dick
said in Hindostanee, what can do
for you?"
'Praise be to Allah, you have come!"
the dying man managed by an effort
to articulate." Captain Sahib-you Of
fered to give your life for mine this day
You also killed that dog; may Allah
plunge him deep in Jehannum. / have
but one possession" At the words !
fancied the face of his comrade changed
little. and the hand that held the cup
trembled. "It is here, sahib, and it
is ours" His fingers as he spoke feebly
touched the turban which lay on the
bed at his side. His comrade put down
the cup, and took from the folds of the
turban a large, heavy gold ring, in
which dull red stone was set. The
eyes of the dying man followed his
movements and directed him to give
1t 10 the captain.
"This2" said Dick. as he received the
massive ring in the palm of his hand.
"This?" and he looked from the ring to
the dying giver. why do you give
this to me, Agha?" Agha's eyes rested
soleinnly, first on the comrade who
lxnelt beside him, and had again taken
UP the cup, which he held gently TO
his lips, and then upon Dicks face.
take it, sahib," he said, in voice
that had grown much feebler since he
spoke last. "Wear il ever, sahb. 1t is
talislnan. 1t may bring danger to
him who wears tit will also warn him
of the danger"
The eyes of the dying soldier had
wandered to his comrades face as he
spoke, and a strange look, half affec-
tionatc and half doubling, passed into
them as they rested on the dark, un-
revealing features for q few seconds.