The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-29

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a strong resemblance to him. came out
of tho old soldier, was purely native.
though OF most costly stuffs.
lie evidently did not belong to the vii
laRe. but was a man Of wealth and q
dweller in cities. His handsome, but sim
lister, face was clean shaver, except for
long. twisted moustaches.
What means this unseemly tumultY'
I he demanded what rabble have dared
to break down your gates7 And who
are these new arrivals?"
| "They are more fugitives-this time
from Mucrut," replied Manrao Punt. and
! have promised to them also my protec-
ton" He added few words Of explana-
| ton.
"sahlbs this is my brother. Govind
| Punt" lie continued who Is at present
paying me a visit. He Is a we'll known
merchant OF Delhi. and his illustrious
shop is in the Chandney Choke. Like my
| self, he is friend OF tho English"
| Govlnd Punt looked as II he would like
to disavow this statement. but instead he
bowed very gracousy. "My brothers
| guests are mine." no said But tell me,
Mnnrao Punt. how shall you deal with
| those budmashes yonder2 hope there
| Will be no shedding OF blood"
| There need be none, BROTHER was the
reply. II will send them away"
| 1t was time that some decisive step was
| taken. for the ryots had pushed through
| the gateway and were clamorng for the
blood OF the fernghees, which act OF In
| science the villagers were anxious to re-
] sent by force OF arms.
Leave this to me" said Manrao Punt.
| Suffer mo to go alone.
| with no weapon but curved sword he
strode down tho short street. pushed
| through his own men and confronted the
| mob They paid come attention to him at
| first, then answered his speech with angry
| cries, and seemed about to make rush.
1 But when he gave sharp command,
1 In response to which a piece OF brass
| cannon was trundled from little hlilocR
to one side and pointed at the gateway.
the valiant peasantry took to their hecis
| In sudden fright.
| with amazing speed they vanished IN
| the Jungle and the shrlll sound OF their
| voices died to murmur. The danger
| was averted without the striking OF
| single blow.
From tho platform. with thankful
| hearts. the fugitives witnessed the briei
AFFAIR. They saw the gates loisted to
| their places again by the villagers and
the work OF repair commenced unoer
the instructions OF Manrno Punt
'rhere Will be no moro trouble from
that source" said ITstcourt. 'hut 1t is
! doubtful how long we shall DO safe here.
| I suppose Rampoora Is entirely destroy
\. cdr"
f"I'm afraid It Isl replied Jack. Eve
| left 1t in ashes.
"And we could sec It burning as we
looked bnck In our flight-thnt shows
by what a narrow squeak wo go away.
Where will this deviltry end. wonder?.
ut has only begun, and ] fear 1t VIII
spread far" said Jack. But who gave
you warning. Estcourt?'
"One Of my overseers. who happened
| {, ! ,a AYpo n
while hiding from the mhssacre he
heard n couple OF officers of the Third
/ Cavalry talking, and learned that the
main body OF tho mutncers was golHs
on to Delhi, but that q squadron OF them
| would rido to Jhalapur with the news ana
/ stop on the way to destroy Rampoorn.
,,,rhe faithful fellow got hold OF horse
i nnd gnloped home with his tidings. You
can Imagine my perplexity. Delhi ana
/ Nleerut were out OF the question. and
| ! knew It would be equally unsafe 10
strike toward the Gnngcs or the JuInna-
"Then remembered old Manrao Punt
with whom I had often done business.
and I concluded that his village. oeing
on the road to nowhere. would be the best
place for us. SO Madge gathered the por-
table valuables together, while got the
horses ready, and we were off just ID
the nick of time. Five minutes later ana
VIC would have been caught
i AS T;stcourt finished his stirring mar
rative Manrao Punt returned.
.All Is WE'LL" he said, "and those bud
mashcs will surely not come bnck-they
have n wholesome respect for my can
non. though the piece showed them was
un!oaded. But 1t served the purpose ana
now, sahibs, pray come under my poor
4 roof and accept such hospitality as J can
offer you. will give you food ana drink.
ana then you shall take the rest that you
z so much need"
"Brother. Nath Banerji Is waiting
& within. his store of goods outspread." said
| Goyind Punt In n questioning tone.
II have known Nath Bnnerji for many
n year. and he is one to be trusted. re-
piled Manrao. .1IIow Is his hand this
Inorning?"
punt answered, "but ms there is so little
swelling the serpent that bit him could
not have had poisonous fnngs"
"Ass,lredly not brother, else the man
would be dead.
with that Manrao Punt led the way
Into the house. where the furniture was
mostly European. of the KIND 10 be bousht
I'm the foreign bazaars of Delhi. Among
tho ornaments were French clocks and
English engravings,
!, In the apartment to which the guests
we're conducted, there sat s-legged
In tho middle OF the floor an Individual
whom Jack at once Identified as Parsee
trader, or travelling merchant. and the
person of whom Govind Punt had spoken
Nath Banerji--such was his name-Was
n man OF perhaps seventy. lean and wiry-
looking with n beard and mustnche that
were nearly white. He wore The expensive
r attire of his class--a slken tunic, cash
mere shawl for kummerbund and tur-
, ban with single gem sparkling In lie
folds.
ellis right hand rested on n partly open
| bale of goods. and his left was OF pracli,
cally no use to him, for 1t was encasea
IN bandages from the finger tips to the
elbow.
Having Instructed his servants to pre-
pare n repast for Jack and the SER
geant-the others had already break
fasted-Mnnrao Punt made sign to the
Parsee, who spread out the contents o.
his pack with view to selling ).