Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-08-10
CHAPTER L.

CHAPTER L.
Up steep and narrow detile of a
chain Of mountains, some few leagues
distant from Benares, a little caravan
slowly and laboriously made it's way.
The night, succeeding the day of
burning and intolerable heat. was
black as it's own shadow. Great, SOM
Der clouds held the full moon from hui
man view, nor permitted it to send one
ray Of welcome light.
Not a breath of air stirred. The
gtorm-spirit was abroad, but as yet his
voice had not Numbered forth his pres
ence, nor his eyes flashed their indig-
nant lightning at these audaciouS NOR
tails who came to brave him.
In the middle of the little party was
a palanquin, borne by six Hindoos. a
relay of the same number preceding
with torches.
Close beside it walked n young ma
hve-a boy-almost Il child, since he
could have numbered scarce fourteen
years. His figure was slight, his fea-
lures delicate, but straight and rcgu-
lar, while his great, black eyes burned
with intelligence.
Some ten feet in the rear followed
man of grotesque appearance, mounted
on thin horse. each of whose move
nents produced strange contortions
and grimaces upon the riders empur-
pied visage. which was surmounted by
q buShy shock Of Straw-cOlOred hair.
AT the summit of the mountain. and
before beginning its descent, the bear
ers paused. a gloved hand then part
ed the curtain OF Il palanQuin, while Il
deep. musical voice. speaking in Eng
.lish. called:
"kazil! Come here. child; 1 wish to
speak with you
The young Hindoo instantly APP
proached.
"What does the master wish?' he
asked, respectfully.
why do we not go On?'
master, the mountain is steep; the
bearers stop to rest"
'"How far are we from Benares?"
''SiX hours march,"
"'We will arrive there at daybreak:'
Eyes, master, unless the storm delays
U.S."
'You think the storm close upon us?"
81 fear so.''
And with these words, as though in
spired by them, the demon of the tem-
pest seemed to launch itself upon the
mortals who had unwittingly evoked
it.
''The voice of Sivaw murmurcd Ka-
zil, bowling his head.
But already the other Hindoos had
prostrated themselves, face downward,
upon the earth.
eve must hasten!' cried the voice
from the palanquin. "Give the order
to the bearers, Kazil, not to lose anoth-
.er minute"
KaZl repeated these. commands in
Hindostanee; but, as they We're about
to be obeyed, there came a second
crash Of thunder-a second binding
flash of lightning.
The Hindos Frustrated themselves
anew, striking their chests and utter
ing low, monotonous exhortations.
''Why do they waltz" asked the En-
glishman.
MASTER" replied Kazil, 1--WE can go
no further"
"And why?"
'''The storm will last throughout the
night. Before many minutes the tor
rents in the mountains will be impass-
able, and the footpaths will have be-
come impracticable. If we were fool
hardy enough to undertake the de-
scent we should be engulefd by the
waves and hurled upon the rocks"
''Iruly, good reason!' laughed the
Englishman. "Not consolng, but with
out argument. What do you say, my
poor Stop?"
These last words were addressed to
the singular-looking parsonage, who
had dismounted from his horse and
approached the speaker, and who now
took off his hat respectfully. answering
in a nasal tone, with comical, grief
stricken intOnations:
"Ah your honor, it is a devilish
country! My hair-my beautiful hair.
which the pretty girls Of Northumber-
land likened to ripe corn-will certain
ly grow whittier before it's time We
were so happy in our dear England.
Why did you leave it to come to this
internal place and bring-m with you?,
.tYou need not have followed me. |
left you free to remain if you wished"
..Ah, yes! Free-perfectly free. But
ycur honor knows well that the day
when it shall please you to walk
Through fire or water, come when IL
may, / will follow. Your honor is the
body. I the shadow. 1t il fate. Where
the body goes the shadow must follow;
but surely the shadow has right to
q complain, and avail myself of It,"
eyes, answered the young master,
laughing; .'you are very faithful 40
YOU that justice; but you lack philoso-
ply" ,,o,
as your honor. at Cambridge or OK
ford, perhaps /, too. should nave had
mI,ilosophy: but then should be a
y Gentleman, and not valet; and that
Ionld be unfortunate for your honor.
who would ind difficulty In replacing
me-"