The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-02
! THE PURPLE GOD. !;
~ WILLIAM MURRAY GRlYDON Copyright,
"a a O. O. e.

/
smoke put the zenindar's men ut dis |
advantage, but they let drive their match- |
j locks from the row OF loopholes and drew
an answering rattle of musketry.
n moment, and then, as tho firing partly
| ceased, Bairam Kahn's second gun
flashed and roared. causing much the
4 same effect as the first shot. Above the
rnmbling noise was heard, and dark
| mass doomed out Of the smoky haze.
The next instant one OF tho heavy
1 pieces OF artillery was hurled by dozen
pairs OF hands against the gate. which
at once gave way and fell Inward.
wrenched from Its fastenings, az II do
molished by Roman catapult.
The gun was thrown over by the recol.
i but 1t proved no obstacle to the enemy.
With exultant yels they came lonpng
| at tho gap and poured through like rave
nous wolves.
And now the zemindnr's mon. who had
fought vaorously so long as n ray Of
hope remained, very naturally lost heart.
There was another gate at tho rear OF
the melbourne. and n large number made
4 for this, though 1t offered but n slim
! chance OF escape
1 Some dropped their weapons and cried
for quarter, but both these and a few
who resisted were mcrcllessly shot. down
In the hot flush OF victory and rage.
Jack and Estconrt Witnessed only
part OF this frghtful scene for the gate
had scarcely fallen when Manrao Punt
gave them tho word. and under cover
OF the smoke hesled them unpercelved to
tho main entrance OF the house.
"By Brahma. II is hard to desert my
brave people!' he said hoarsely. But It \
is the only way. sahibs. If we try to save
more than ourselves we shall all perish
to n man."
Jack was equally reluctant to eava
In 7nfa do. 1,air t.,
but for one consideration he would have
refused to do SO. Madge met him on
the verandn and clung to him for nm In
slant as she slipped her pistol into his
hand.
Take this and keep 1t for mo-, she
said Promise that yetf won't let Inc fall
into their power alive! would rather
die than be captured. And when the last
moment comes, dear. hold mo tight.
Pray God It won't come to that!" the
young officer interrupted. in husky
voice we still have n chancc Man-
rno Punt declares there is a way OF es-
n cape. and lie would not deceive us. Hold
4 fast to my arm, Madge!''
Il II y suppose It's all right" said Est
court, but don't believe that any
thing much short of n miracle can save
us. You two go first; I'll act as the
u rear guard. In case those bloodthrsty8
wretches come up with US. What a row
y they're making -
Tho little group passed from tho ve-
4 randn 10 tho adjoining room, where they
= waited for a moment. Outside the din
and clamor were swelling, mingled with
occasional nlusket shots. and from
; remote part OF the house came the
y frightened cries OF the servants.
I. Where Is Goynd Punt2" exclaimed
the zemindar. when he had lighted
bronze lamp that burned with tiny
flame. II expected to find him here
Have You seen aught OF him, sahibs?"
Not for some minutes" replied Est
court.
swer,
"He may. have fallen during the fight
at tho palsadc." suggested the young
!, officer "
SN1anrao Punt shook his head. and g q
\. hard. suspicious look altered his kindly
face.
''My brother Is selfish man." he said.
..Ho alone shared my secret. and rear
7 | he has already taken advantage OF ~.
Come quickly. snhibs."
The zemindar gded from room 70
room until he reached a little court
nayed with red marble. Hc uttered q
low cry and pointed to a square gap AT
j his feet, from which a ladder LED GOWN
a slantingly into space and darkness. =. q
great block OF tho stone TAGGING n wr, .ha
: had been pried from the middle OF the
!, t,e,ar Inv close by with the unpublished
Y 1 side up. a.. .,,oa 1ocL
"a "Where Will this take us?" asked JACK,
/, aa he felt q current OF cool. moist W
:, blowing In his face,
:. the outer wall OF the village. Manrao
!, punt replied my brother mas alrcady
gone through, as I suspected. We must
!. hasten after him. sahibs. ~.
: THAT Govind Punt had been gniity @, 2,
!. worse deeds than an act OF cowardlce dld
not occur to the fugitiyes. The yhwning'
9 black hole promised escape and SAFETY
J, al least for the time being--and It was
: with hopeful hearts that the zemihaars
: companions followed him. one by one.
: down the slanting ladder, which cou!d
It not have been less than twenty feet IN
S length. Estcourt came last, but tho stone
r was too heavy for him to handle. ana he
was compelled to leave 1t as IT was.
= .sThe devils Will soon discover now VIC
q gave them tho Slip he said. anxiously
e j "By then. sahib, trust we shall be
4 beyond the reach OF DANGER, Manrac
d Punt answered. "Our foes VIII hrst looK
for us in the other portions of the house,
d '"rhat's stift height to drop from,
:, said Jack. looking up at the vague out
Is lines of the hole. "They can't follow uf
" without the help OF the ladder 30 " We
" pull 1t down"
"1t.s gonel' cried Estcourt. making q
y sudden spring in tho air. He clutchet
l. at the vanishing end of the ladder, and
" missed 1t by barely an lnch,, " was
hauled rapidly up, and from above Game
t. q mocklng pcal VI lau6Hlo', 'e'ty
shout, and an immediate response IRON
"a several quarters.
= ..Ey heavens. one or more of the acoun.
- =, drels must have crept after us!" declared
ia ICstcourt.
20 'And that sounded uncommonly like thu
voice of Joel Spanish" Jack declared.
10 "ouick. sahibs, for your livesl" SAID
70 the zemindar. "Our only CHANCE Is t
gain the Jungle"
He advanced on run. guiding his com
~ panions by the lamp. which he held oy,el
o. his head. Louder and clearer In the dis
81. lance rang the ominous shouting ant
10 yelling, tho mufiled tread Of many feet,
in The nickering yellow light shone OF
~ the hard earth walls of an underground
n passage OF considerable width. which ap
1t peared to have been excayated man,
s. Years ago This continued for nearl.
thirty va rds then came to an abrupt ter