The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-31

which f1attened against tho wall. Do
risve yells were uttered by the enemy.
and Justify answered from within the
village.
'Sahib. be of good spirit" the zemindar
said to Jack. MS tho two leaped down
from the platform. my house Is strongly
fortified. and will not be easily taken.
But this 1 will tell you. for your own
ear alone. II 1t should come to the
worst and the assault is SUCCESSFUL, there
Is n way OF escape which will hardly fail
us"
With this cnigmaticnl statement. the
young officer had to be content, for
Manrao Punt at once left him to speak
to his men. who had mustered in force,
all armed to the teeth. and were look
Ing to their lord for instructions. He
told them what to do in sharp, decisive
sentences:
I've Will make no stand hero. The
outer gates will yield Mt the first blow.
and the cannon are useless. since they
can be trained only In front. Drag them
quickly to the fortress! Let the women
and children go for shelter to the temple
In the tamarind grove! You, my trusty
fellows. will lie under cover half way up
the street and pour u single voley Mt the
enemy when they have forced an en-
trance. Then fall back to the inner gates
the bugle will be the signal"
Tho purple gloom of night had now
taken the place Of the short Indian twl-
light. There WAS no confusion or panic
within the village. The zemindar's light
Ing men numbered about three-score. and
while some trundled the two pieces of
artillery to the rear. tho others sought
advantageous positions commanding the
outer gates.
Nor were the enemy Idle. That Chan
dra Slngh's formidable soldiers had dis
mounted and were preparing for an at
tack WAS proved by various ominous
spunds-peal OF trumpet, the authorize
tive voices of officials. the creaking or
gun wheels. catter of hoofs and Jingle
or equipments
Meanwhile Jack and Manrao Punt has
tened TO the house. whittier the alarm
Ing news had, Of course, preceded them.
Rugglos was full of fight, and Ralph Est
court accepted the misfortune as calmly
az brave man should.
We must hold our own he said.
THAT'S all there Is about It,"
II believe We WILL" Jack answered con-
ndently. 1T strikes mo this place Is a
sort OF little Gibraltar
lie drew Madge aside, and In n few
comforting words assured her that there
was little fear OF a defeat.
Whatever happens I Will share It with
YOU" the girl replied. "ltalph has given
me pistol. and know how to use It, !"
For my sake. dear. promise that you
VIII keep out of danger" Jack said ap-
penllngly. and that assurance she reuct-
antly gave her lover.
No such courage was shown by Nath
l'anerjl; his teeth fairly chattered and
every fold of his garment shook with
frisht As for Govind Punt. whose com
plexion had turned shade or SO paler.
he angrily abused and upbraided the re-
mindar, who finally lost patience.
BE careful, brother, lest you forfeit
that name" he said sternly. "And worse
may befal you! Here in my own house
hold | am master. And by Brahma, I'M
less you do my bidding and Handle gun
With the rest OF us. Will treat you as
would n traitor'
EVIL was tho day ] came under this
roof"' Goyind Punt muttered. I'VE shall
all be. utterly destroyed
Brief as was the time since the first
alarm. tho moon was now In sight Over
the top of the jungle. and its silyery
glow made other light unnecessary As
yet the enemy had not begun the as
snult, and the little band mt the house.
assisted by thu male servants. aYai!ed