Evening star., 1898-08-20

twenty miles behind them, and 1t seemed
certain that the convoy of rubies was not
far ahead.
But at sunset the situation was unchang-
ed. AS yet there was sign of the ser
geants party, and Quin began to think that
his theory was wrong, and that the rubies
would get through to the river unmolested.
however this was only conjecture, and as
the time was now at hand when the dacoits
would likely make their attack he led his
little band forward at a quickened rate of
SPEED. And when the twilight was fading
into the backness of night, and they Lit
torch7s that they might be sure of their
way, they made an unpleasant discovery.
No vestige of the path was to be seen. They
| had been wandering, perhaps for an hour
through the trackess jungle. 1t was COM
paratvely open hereabouts, which account
ed for their unconseiously divergtng from
the trail.
I'VE must find It again. exclaimed Quin
and as quickly as possible
That's easier said than done" replied
Carruthers.
He was right. Already the party had lost
their bearings. and could not tell from what
! direction they had come. They were igno-
rant even, of the points of the compass
for the stars Were quite hidden by the dense
and matted foliage overhead. They divided
into three parties, and for some minutes
with blazing torches, they searched to and
fro. Then Ro Thaw one of the Burmaps
uttered shout that drew all to the spot.
he had stumbled on a sort of a rude trail
that could BE- seen winding away through
the jungle.
This is not the path: it looks as If 1t had
| been trodden by wild beasts" said Quin
| But we can't do better than follow It, In
| the end it may lead us to the Irrawaddy
road"
There's no chance now of catching the
sergsants party up" replied Carruthers.
I'm afraid not" Quin assented It's
| hard luck. Come along; Wen make the best
| Of it. One never knows what may happen" :"
! 1t was the unexpected that did happen
] eventually, though not in the manner that
Quin meant the words. For two hours and
| more the little band plodded wearily and in
| single file through the jungle, sticking to
| the barely perceptible trail by the light OF
torches. At last they saw dusky glimmer
ahead, and. pressing forwar6 eagerly they
! emerged several minutes later from the
jungle and stood by the brink of shallow
stream.
Quin and Carruthers exclaimed with as
1 tonishment, and the Burmans, uttering low
| cries of CONSERVATION, dropped to their
| knees For close by. just across the
| stream. the ruined walls of what had once
| been a great city stretched right and left
| Through the crumbling gaps of masonry
| the moonlight shone on towers and NINA
l rets, to'tering arches. and leaning col
umfs- rising out of tangle of rank yege-
and desolate picture, which none could
| witness unmoved. All had OWNED the
| truth No words were needed to tell them
that they stood on the threshold of the
| BY Jove, / had no idea we were any
| where near here" said Quin. This is the
| east side of the town, asad the road to the
| 1rrawaddy, which was lost lies a good five
! miles TO the south. It's no use now to go
| after Wards party. They are at the river
! by this time, unless they have been wiped
out by the dacoits. And that's not likely;
| We should have heard the sounds of firing
! believe you made mistake in your man
| Carruthers."
| I'm beginning to think SO myself, sir. :"
was the reply.
| It's just well we came" Quin went
4 on. Tomorrow the rest of our party will
| arrive. Meanwhile, / intend to spend
| the night in one of yonder temples. Wen
| build roaring fires and sleep comfortably -
| Carruthers nodded assent, but the Bur-
| mans protested in vigorous language, in
shril and frightened tones
| Sahfb. think better of it," pleaded Bo
Thaw- My people are much afraid
| There are many evil spirits in Pagan, and
| IL Is said also that band of fierce dacoi.s
! have a hiding place there
| Il don't believe that; the dacoit lairs are
| Az across the Irrawaddy," said Quin. t.As
| for the evil spiritS-roti You know they
| always hee from a. sahib. No harm shall
come to you, ] promise. In the morning
you shall tell your comrades that 1t is safe
| TO enter the town"
| The Burmans still refused and for a
| time they held out obstinately. But at
| length. by dint of threats and firm Words
| on tluin's part, their reluctant consent was
| won He cid not give them a. chance to
| alter their minds, but led them forward
at once. They waded the stream-it was