Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-08

use his right hand, and he was wound
ed by the blowing up of the rock. You
nearly killed me. too. sahib. I was
there with the bazaar born whelps. BY
the prophets beard, it was a fine
stroke"
Are they going away. them
mo. sahib. The dogs 1ave been
whipped so sore that they snarl for re-
venge. They say there is no use in
firing at you. but they are resolved to
kill you and the miss sahib or carry
her of IL she escapes the assault"
What ASSAULT
Protector of the poor they are build
ing scaling ladders-four in all. Soon
after dawn they intend to rush your
position. You may slay some. they
say, but you cannot slay threescore.
Taung S'Ali has promised gold 10 every
man who survives IL they succeed
They have pulled down your signal on
the high rocks and are using the poles
for the ladders. They think you have
charm. sahib. and they want to use
your own work against YOU"
This was serious news. a combined
attack might indeed be dangerous.
il II failed the Dyaks would certainly
leave the island. But his sky sign de-
stroyed. That was bad Had a vessel
CHANGED 20 pass the swinging letters
would surely have attracted attention.
Now even that faint hope was dis
PEELED.
'Sahib. there Is a worse thing to tell"
said Mir Jan.
Say on. then"
Before they place the ladders against
the clin they will build a fire OF green
wood SO that the smoke will be blown
by the wind into your eyes. This will
| help to blind your aim. Otherwise you
never miss"
That will assuredly be awkward.
Mir Jan"
ut will. sahib. Soul OF my father. II
we had but hnlf troop with u.s.
But they had not. and they were both
so intent on the conversation that they
were momentarily or their guard. Iris
was mere watchful She fancied there
was light rustling amid the under
growth beneath the trees on the right.
And she could hiss. too, IL that were
the correct thing TO do.
So she Kissed
jerks swarmed halfway I'D the lad
der.
Yes. Iris" he said.
Il am not sure. but l imagine some
thing moved among the bushes behind
the house"
'All right. dear. Will keep a sharp
lookout. Can you hear US talking2"
Handy. VIII you be longT'
Another minute"
He descended and told Mir Jan what
the miss sahib said. The native was
about 10 make a search when jerks
stopped him.
"Here"-he handed the man his re-
volver-"I suppose you can use thisy''
MI: Jan tux ia without a word. and
Je:iks felt that tlIS J..,-idcu; atoned for
previous unworthy doubts Of his dark
friends honesty. The Mohammelan
cautiously examined the back OF the
house. the neighbOring shrubs aud the
open beach. After a brief absence he
reported all safe. yet no man has ever
been nearer death and escaped u than
he during that reconnaissance. He. too
forgot that the DyakS were foxes. and
foxes can lie close when hounds are a
trife stale.
Mir Jan returned the revolver.
'Sahib." lac said. with another sa-
laam, Il am a diSgraced man. but II
you will take me up there with you
will fight by your side until both my
arms are hacked OF. am weary OF
these thieves. III chance threw me in
TO their company. I will have no more
OF them. II you Will not have me on
the rock, give me a gun. | will hide
among the trees. and | promise that
some OF them shall die tonight before
they ind me. For the honor OF the
regiment. Sahib. do not refuse this
thing. Al! l ask is il your honor eS-
capes that you viii write 20 Kurnal
l-shpence-sahib and tell him the last
act OF Mir Jan. corporal In r troop"
jerks was profoundly moved He
reflected how best 10 utilize the serv-
fees OF this willing volunteer without
exposing him 20 certain death In the
manner suggested. The native misin-
terpreted his silence
Il am not a rascal. sahib." he ex.
claimed proudly. Il only killed a man
because
Listen. Mir Jan. You cannot well
mend what yOn have said. The Dyaks.
you are SURF, will not come before
morning."
They have carried the wounded 70
the boats and are making tie lad
eers. Such was their talk when left
them
viii they not miss yOu?~
They Will miss the goatskin. sahib.
IL was the last full one"
Mir Jan. do as l bid and You shall
see Delhi again. Have you ever used
a Lee-Metford? ?"
I have seen them. sabib. but 1 bet
ter understand the Mahtini."
Il will give you a rife. with plenty
OF ammunition. DO you 90 inside the
cave, there, and
Mir Jan was startled.
Where the ghost is, sahib?" he said.
Ghost! That is tale for children.
There Is no ghost. only a few bones
o. a man murdered by these scoun-
srels long ago. Have you any food?"
"SOma rice Sahfh. onfHcfant g. q -