Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1896-07-15
MOBEED BY MISTAKE.
OOOOOoOOOOOOOCoOOO

| sprang out of bed In a thrice and
struck light. 1t revealed the half
naked figure of little Gunpat. His en-
preston was one of Indignation rather
than of terror.
What is IT." l demanded.
'Those pigs of rioters, Sahib," he re-
piled. They have broken loose at
last"
Then, for the first time l became
aware of the tumult in the streets sur
rounding the house. Bra wiling voices
and the restless patter of feet rose
hoarsely on the hight air. | codld dis
tingulsh the shrill Din! Dm" of the
Mohammedans- raliying cry to
battle. From afar l heard the faint
pealing of bells and the rattle of mus
kerry. A lively commotion was going
on downstairs, banging of doors, and
showing of furniture, interlarded with
husky voices.
Gunpat slipped away for n moment
and hurried on my shirt and trousers.
| felt decidedly uncomfortable. to say
the least l could not forget the black
looks that had greeted me on the pre-
vious afternoon. Europeans were in
bad odor at Benares Just now
glanced at the clock. The hands point
ed to an hour past midnight. / began
to consider what | had better do. | was
puzzled to account for the non appear
ance of Baboo Das.
Meanwhile the tumult had swelled 10
frightful din. The streets without
seemed to 5a choked with rioters. "k i'll
Sita RAM" they yelled. ''Slay the her
etic Loot his house. Down with the
destroyers of the fath!"
was fully alive to the situation now,
and the thought Of my peril sickened
me. A moment later Il succession Of
heavy thuds, followed by IL tremendous
crash and burst of cheers, told that
the main entrance of tine house mad
been beaten in. Cries of rage and ter
ror and the sounds of deadly conflict
floated mp the staircase.
| determined to escape, If such i
thing were possible. There was no
time To put on shoes or coat. l 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 witt
dusky figures. The only avenue of es
cape was cut off.
turned back into the room. resolved
to sell my life dearly. l had no weap
ons, but on the wall hung a Tibetar
shield and spear, trimmed with yak's
tails. | dragged them down and rushed
!, for the door. Before | could close II
entirely a figure slipped through the
crack, and l very nearly impaled Gun
pat OH my spear.
''The Sahib must fight" he exclaimed
"Baboo Das has fed, and the rioters are
downstairs and everywhere. They
have killed some of the servants, anC
now they will search for my master
whom they hate. They believe he is il
the house. They will kill you, too
Sahib, If they find you"
What shall we do?" l demanded
"Is there way to escape?'
"None. Sahib. We must push furni
ture against the door and fight. Tht
police and the soldiers will be here
presently"
But surely the mob won't hurt a lit
tie chap like you," l replied, filled witt
admiration at the lads bravery. &c
while you can, Gunpat.'
NO" he answered calmly, "my duty
is with the Sahib. l will stay here"
There was no time to argue, for al
ready the bloodthirsty miscreants wer,
pattering up the staircase with shouts
and yells. The door had only frai
bolt on the inside. but luckily the furni
ture of the room was massive. Gunpa
seemed to know just what was wanted
He helped me to the best OF HI.
strength, and hardly was the barricadC
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
bled under the rain of heavy blows. \
table that was on the summit of til,
barricade toppled to the floor and burs
asunder. The mob heard the fall anC
yelled exultantly.
Gunpat twirled his spear between hi
supple fingers. "The end will be soon
Sahib," he said quite calmly. The mex
instant he gave an eager cry and point
ed overhead. There ] saw for the frs
time small circular trap-door.
"Where does it lead?" demanded.
"To the roof" replied Gunpat. M
master sits there on hot evenings. Blu
there is no ladder. We must take iron
the barricade, Sahib."
No sooner said than done. Hardly a
they could be spared we removed
table. chest of drawers, and tw
chairs. We piled them one upon al
other. l plainly saw the door quiye
from top to bottom as | mounted tn
shaky structure. was directly belo'