Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-24


island. Kill him. Plot against him,
l will promise YOU freedom and plenty
OF rupees DO this. and swear 70 you
will come in a ship and take you
away. The miss sahib's father is pow
erful. lie has great influence with the
Indian government"
Taung SAB was evidently Devil
dered and annoyed by this passionate
appeal which he did not understand
He demanded an explanation. and the
ready witted native was obliged TO in
vent some plausible excuse. Yet when
he raised his face 70 jerks there was
the look OF "a hunted animal i'm his eyes
"Sahib." he said. endeavoring 10 con
coal his agitation. Il am one among
many A word FROM me. and they.
would cut my throat II | were with
you there on the rock I would die with
YOU Cor I was i'm the Kumaon regiment
when the trouble befen me- 1t Is OF no
avail 10 bargain with a tiger. sahib
l suppose YOU Will not give ND the
miss sahib. Pretend 10 argue with me.
I will help Ia any way possible"
jerks heart bounded when this IN
unfortunate Mohammedan was evil
IDENTIFY eager 90 get away from the ni-
ratical gang into whose power he had
fallen. But the chief was impatient. If
not suspicious. of these long speeches.
Angrily holding forth rifle. the sail
or shouted
Tel Tauug sab that I will slay
him and all his men ere tomorrow =
sun rises. lie knows something OF my
power. but not all Tonight NJ the
twelfth hour you will find a rope hang
ing from the rock Tie thereto vessel
OF water Fail not i'm this will not
forget your services. I am Anstruther
Sahib OF the Belgium regiment"
The native translated his words into
a fierce defiance OF Taung SAL and his
Dyaks. The chief glanced at jerks
and Iris with an om.npus smile. He
muttered something.
Then. slhih. thee Is nothing more
TO be said Beware of tie trees on
your richt They can send silent death
even q the rl1ce where YOU stand.
And VIII not fau Won tonight, on my
l.fe." cried the inte-TrCtc~.
u believe YOU CO, But inform
your chief thot once YOU have disap-
peared round tire rock whence you
caue I Will talk 70 him only with a
rifle"
Taunr SAB seemed 20 comprehend
the En-l'shman's cn0hatic motions.
Waving his hand deaantiy. the Dyak
turned. ana. with one parting glance
OF mute assurance. the Indian followed
him.
Iris touched his arm and he told
her all thar had taken place Iris be-
came very downcast when she graSped
the exact state OF affairs She was al
most certain when the Dyaks proposed
a parley that reasonable terms would
result II Mortified her beyond meas
ure TO find that she was the rock on
which negotiations were wrecked.
Hope died within her. The bitterness
OF death was in her breast.
'What an unlucky influence havehad
on your existencer she exclaimed "If
II We're not for rue this trouble at least
would be spared you Because I am
here you sre condemned. Again, be-
cause | stopped you from shooting that
wretched chief and his companions
ehey are now demanding your life as
a forfeit 1t is all my fault l cam
not bear it,"
She was on the verge Of tears. The
strain had become too great for her.
After INDUCING in a wild dream OF
freedom. to be told that they must
again endure the irksome confinement.
the active suffering. the slow horrors
OF a siege in that rocky prison, almost
distracted her
jerks was very stern and curt in his
reply.
I'VE must make the best OF bad
business" he said III we are in a
tight place the Dyaks are not much
better OF, and eighteen OF their mum
Der are dead or wounded You forget,
too, that Providence has sent US n most
useful ally in the Mohammedan. When
all Is said and done, things might be
tar worse than they are"