Evening star., 1898-08-20

together; giving tongue hroisiiy. Thssr syes
..slaasa as e sah s#' essnes ss
run for your HfeYb
Side by side the 'hen dashed off feetly.
and neither, win ever forget that terrible
/ fear Of it urged them on. They did not
| dare look behind them, HIT they heard the
/ patter and screeching of the savage pack,
/ er and faster, straififng every nerve to keep
| in the lead. At last. Breathless and ex-
| hausted, they flung Themselves through the
gateway. Instantly they turned and threw
| their weight against tie massive gate.
which, to their infinite relief, creaked shut
! on it's rusted hinges. Just in time. The
| infuriated animals, reaching the spot a sec
| ond too late, vented 9heir9 disappointment in
| loud and angry snarlfng. Presently they
were heard scurrying away to their distant
| lairs. ~ "'f
The fugitives having recovered breath a
little, looked about them with keen curl
osty. They were in o court yard sur
| rounded on three sides by a high wall
| On the fourth sde with its tiers of carved
| wood and stone. lowered a huge pagoda
| that looked to be in fair state of preser-
vation But the base had fallen at one
| spot and Quin and Carruthers gained the
| interior by climbing with difficulty over
/ a heap of ruins. The moon entered from
| many a gaping crevice above. and by its
! light they made a startling discovery. On
+, the floor of the temple were uHmistakable
signs of human habitatien-beds of dried
grass, fire ready to be lighted food and
dishes, a heap of weapons. two massive
chests and a cask of powder which had
fallen over and split a part of it's contents.
On the far side was the entrance an arch
ed doorway leading into what looked like
a covered passage.
by love, what a findp' exclaimed Quin
1.-The Burmans were right We are in
dacoit lair. What splendid hidng-place
fIcy .>I.n lAJ'
at may belong to NTharadeen's band"
suggested Carruthers. we had better be
making tracks
A low, excited cry was Quin's answer
He had lifted the lid of one of the chests,
to find the bottom covered deep with pes-
sells of gold and silver numerous coins,
jewel-studded daggers and strings of
rubes and other precious stones. Car
ruthers joined him, and for a moment the
two gazed in speechiess surprise at the
treasure. Then they were startled to hear
a clamor of voices close by, in the direc-
ton of the temple door.
THE dacoitS are returnfng!' gaSped Car
ruthers. Come, there is not second to
lose"
mot that way whispered Quin 'It
will take too long to climb over the rub
bish, and the tger-cats are still prowling
in the avenue. We will slip out the other
way when we get chance, and mean
while we will hide. ] see a likely place
yonder." 5-->
The spot referred to was to the left of
the entrance-a recess of some depth in
the wall, approached by three steps. The
| men hurriedly gained this shelter, and
crCuched behind a heap of stones and
plaster that had fallen from above. They
were just i'll time. as the increasing clamor
and fash of ruddy light told them.
The next instant through the temple
doorway surged the foremost of the dacoits
-evil-faced, motley -attired men, armed with
muskets, knives and curved swords. They
were led by a hideous ruffian, of immense
stature, who was easily recognized as the
notorious Tharadeen himself Now ap-
peared small chest, borne on the
shoulders of two men, and behind them,
with his arms tied, marched an English
man. 1t was Sergeant Ward.
Look. they have the box of rubies!"
whispered Carruthers. IT.
Yes; the convoy has 1Ieen attacked and
captured said Qutn. sThe hends have
probably killed All tbut the sergeant.
Heaven send us an opportunity to rescue
him! Hush! not sepnd, for your life!
By this .tirne the entire band. about thirty
strong, had entered the temple; q few
wounded brought lep thu rear The box of
rubies was placed on the ground, and
torch was applied to the fire, which blazed
UP quickly. Some of the, dacoits began to
set out food. while others threw themselves
down to rest. n in
For several minutes the hidden men look
ed with curiosity and apprehension,
realizing that they were in an ugly scrape.
Then disastrous thing happened. Car
H.
| emitted a loud sneeze. 1T caused instan-
taEeous alarm. With eager cries, half
| dczen dacoits darted to, the spot, and by
the light of the fire they ,discerned the fugi-
tives crouching behind the rubbish
"Feringhees! Feringhees!" they shouted.
Kill them!' ,- 81,
They were speedily Joined by more of the
| rcfiians led by Tharadeen himself. The
temple resounded with the savage outcry.
Keep back?' yelled Quin, thrustiag out
his rifle.
The warning was not heeded, The crowd
made a rush for the steps leading 20 the
recess, and at once Quin and Carruthers
| fired, killing two OF the dacoits. The rest,
drawing back a little, let fly volley of
shots. The Englfshmen, by throwing them
selves nat, narrowly escaped being ridoled
| with bullets. AT this critical moment when
| death seemed certain, shrill voice rang
above the turnuIt:
Enough, you dogs! Off with you, or I'll
| blow you all to atorns"
| The speaker. as Quin and Carruthers saw
| by hasty glance, was none other than
Sergt Ward. He had managed to release
/ his arms and snatch burning brand from
| the fire. He was holding ii close to the
| open cask of powder Tie dacoits. in the
| face Of such an awful iea-h. fell into a
| panic. With murmurs of fear, they with
! drew little from the ceeess. One, how
| ever, suddenly levelsd q pistol and fired
hsphazard at the daring sergeant The
| ball struck the brand, and hurled it into a
| heap of dried grass that lay close to the
|
| stantly burst into blaze.
| Then quickly, with frantic yells of ter
| ror, the dacoits, one and all, made a SIAM
| pede for the temple door. Sargt. Ward,
4 seeing that it was Impossible to stamp out
| the fire. Joined Quin and Carruthers in the
| recess He had barely done when tre-
| nlendous explosion hurled the thres off
| their feet. rs
| Happily. they were not injured seriously.
| They rose UP. slightly stunned and bruised.
| and looked about them. Here and there a
mass of debris had dropped from the walls
| or fallen from above; that was about the
/ extent of tfe damage caused by tine ex-
plcsion.
/ I'VE had a. narrow escape" Quin said.
| hoarseiy. Il thought 1t was all up with US. !"
| I'VE are not out of the woods yet,'' the
1 sergeant exclaimed. "Hark! the devils are
returningt' i-.c.
1--WE must retreat the other way" urged
Carruthers.
| AS he spoke a rafting fusillade of mus
1 kerry was heard close by. followed by
| hearty cheers mingled with yells OF rage
| and pain. The shots and the tumult con-
| tinued, drawing rapidly near.
by Jove! 1 believe help has arrived!'