Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-30

/ compound; they'll be inside directly"
| 81 know how to deal with my own mem" ang
rily replied the captain. Besides, if you have
to hold this place by force of arms, ] should
think you, sir, would be glad to get rid of a
coward. | hope no one will take fright and start
firing if drop man; don't take that as a sig
nal to let fly, or 1 shan't have a chance. You
chip in when you see me fall, and God help
you!'
AS Bendall stepped to the door one and another
went forward and gripped his hand in silence
Several wished to accompany him, but their of
| fers were declined.
Suddenly, as he stood looking out the danger
before him assumed gigantic proportions
Strangely enough, he found himself thinking at
the crisis of the girl he had tried to forget. Hop.
ing to catch last glimpse of her among the other
women, he looked back into the hall.
She had been watching his every movement,
and did not miss his glance There just a
touch of wistfulness in the bright fearless eyes.
They had looked on death hundred times, and
were about to face it again-in few minutes,
even, they might be staring, fixed and sightess
at the flaming, quivering sky above. They seem
ed to tell of a love of which he would never
speak again.
Goodbye" she said, going to his side with ex
tended hand. Then, very softly. 81 did care for
you after all, though l never knew how much
till you were gone. | wanted you to know, and
| mightn't have another chance to tell you. You
must forget ever said this if-f you come back" I"
she ended brokenly
sound of spntering wood reached them from
the distant gate in the compound wall The
noise awoke him to his duty, and he bade her
goodbye
As Captain Bendall stepped out into the sun
light the door swung heavily to behind him.
The defenders ran to the windows and watched
him walk, faltering and uncertain, along the YER
anda He paused where he could see the attack
ed gateway and leaned YEARLY against one of the
pillars to await the onset of the mutineers Pres
emily the woodwork crushed inward and the men
poured through the breach
Swarthy, stalwart, trucuent fellows, wearing
gaylycolored turbans and sashes regimental frocI-
coats and thigh-boots, and armed with the long
cavalry sword, which nearly every man had un-
sheathed. They sighted Bendall, and rushed to-
wards him across the brilliant Aower-beds of the
Residency garden.
The watchers heard his voice ring out COM
mandingy in language of them under
stood The troopers wavered a moment then
rushed forward again. There was a shot and
one of the men stumbled, then fell heavily, bury
ing his face in clump of scarlet blossoms
Again the clear, commanding tones rang out
The mutineers halted, and Bendall seized his
opportunity. He ordered them to "fall in in
a quick, domineering voice. They recognized the
leader and obeyed as though parade. He was
the last man in the world they would have
harmed. The captain let his keen eyes flash from
right to left of the line, then oosed on them the
lashes of his wrath.
"Sons of dogs!" he cried, "when did teach
you to make a and sick men
Have not shared with you pleasure and hard
ship, feast and famine? Have | not led you
again and again to victory? Yet, when I am
helpless you come to murder me. You, whose
bravery I have praised, spit upon my name.
You, of whose honor have boasted, now betray
Nv pe0p1a 6Tbaca
heroes-these men who seek your life when you
are weary and sick They laugh at me, and I
can show my face no more among them for
shame You, Khoda Khan, whom l have three
times saved from death, shoot me that may not
be further disgraced!"