The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-06-15

nude bodies. Below him lay another,
with an arm encircling his throat, the
elbow beneath his chin COMPRISING
his Windptpe. Powerless to move
hand or foot. he gave up and
wondered duly why it was that a
knife had not been slipped between
his bs-between the fifth and sixth
Or In his back, beneath the left
shoulder blade. and why his gullet re-
manned unslit.
Gradually il was forced upon him
thai his captors meant him 10 bodily
harm, for the present at least. His
wrath subsidized and gave place to Gu
rios'-F while he rested, regaining bis
wind. and the natives squirmed away
from him, leaving one man kneeling
upon HIS chest and -four others each
piuIauing a limb.
There followed a wait, while some
sey-'ai persons INDUCED In a whisper
ed eontabulation at a. distance from
him too great for their words to be
|artiC4iate Then came a croaking
laugh out Of the darkness and words
intended for his ear.
"hy Malang Shah, but my lord doth
fght like q Rajput"'
Amber caught his breath and ex-
plodeI Half a chance. you damned
thugs. and I'll show YOU how an Amer
lean can fight"
But he had spoken in English, and
his hearers gathered the import OF his
words only from his tone. apparently
He who had addressed him laughed
applausively.
ut was a gallant fight" he com
mented, but like all good things hath
had its end. My lord Is overcome. Is
my lord still minded for battle or for
peace? Dare |, his servant, give or
ders for his release, or"
Here Amber interrupted; stung by
the bitter irony, he told the speaker
In fluent idiomatic Hindustani precise
ly what he might expect il his lord
ever got the shadow of a chance to
lay hands upon him.
The grim cackling laugh followed
his words, a hooking echo, and was
his only answer But for all his de-
1ance, he presently heard orders Is
sued TO take him up and bear him to
another chamber.
Unexpectedly he was let down upon
the 6oor and released. Bare feet scur
ried away in the darkness and a door
closed with a r%esounding bang. He
was alone, for all he could say to the
contrary-alone and unframed. He
uroc nnro, ha mos aCtnyiuhaA e ha Nod
not been disarmed.
A food of lamplsght leaped through
some opening behind him and showed
him his shadow, long and gigantic
upon the floor of earth and a wall Of
stone. He wheeled about, alert as a
cat, and the sight OF his pistol hung
steady between the eyes Of one who
stood at ease. with folded arms, IN
an open doorway. Over his shoulder
was visible the bare brown poll of an
attendant whose lank brown arm held
aloft the lamp,
One does not shoot down In oold
blood a man who makes no aggressive
move, and he who stood In the door
way endured impassively the mute
threat OF the pistol. Above It's sight
his eyes met Amber's with a level and
~unwavering glance, shining out OF a
dark, set face cast In a mold of in
science and pride. A bushy black
beard was parted at his chin and
brushed stif1y back. Between his thin
hard lips, parted in a shadowy smile.
his teeth cleaned white. Standing a
head taller than Amber and very
gracefully erect IN clothing Of a semi
military cut and Of regal magniffcenoe,
every inch Of his pose bespoke power.
position, and the habit of authority.
At once impressed and irritated by
his attitude. Amber lowered his
weapon. "Well?" be demanded queru-
lousy. What do you want? What's
your part in this Infamous outrage?"
On tho others face the faint smile
became more definite. He nodded non
chalantly at Amber's pistol. MY
lord Intends to shoOt?" he enquired
In English, his tone courteous and
suave.
That's as may be-" retorted Am
utI dCiid!LIy IL gums " bdFC SdC
isfaction for this outrage II ! die get
ting It. You may count on that, hrst
ard last"
The man lifted his eyebrows and
his shoulders in dcprccation then
turned 10 his attendant. Put down
the light and leave u.s. he said CURLY
in HindustaEi.
Bowing osequiously. the servant en-
tered and departed, leaving the lamp
upOn a wooden shelf Draced against
n side OF the four square, stone
walled dungeon. AS he went out he
closed the door. and Amber noted that
1t was a heavy sheet Of iron or steel.
very substantial. His face darkened.
Il presume you know what hat
means" he said, with a significant
Jerk OF his head toward the door. It'll
never be shut on me alone. Well
leave together, you and /, II we both
go out feet first" He lifted the pistol
n took the OF the a not
in any spirit Of bravado, but with abb
eOlute s~incerity "I trust make nv