Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30
Copyright. 1910. BY Henry Miner Rideo

INJURED in solilouuy There I think, is
proof enough. Hark.
Somewhere beyond the shores of the
lake a hurried staccato drumming, hol-
came nearer, Swelled ftfully in scattered
relays, and for time filled the country
side From gardo to gardo along the
roads watchmen were beating on their
time logs the rapid alarm which pro-
claims robber at large. The message.
startling the whole valley from mountain
to mountain with a sort Of wooden thun-
der, recalled to David. curiously. the
drumming of myriad partridges in his
northern woods at home Station to sta
ton, village to village spread the alarm,
each log echoing loudly to the next: ROB
bery-robbery-a robbery"
There it goes.' cried David. THAT
boy Sidin found time to pass the word.
What do you say now, Rosario?"
The fellow said nothing for time. but
only tilted his golden hat and stood lis
tening. like a robin after worms. The
morning air throbbed and rumbled accu-
sations that comprised him about. His
thick lips never lost their smirk. or his
luStrous, dilated eyes their look Of ready
cunning.
What do I say?" he Knocked. Then,
twiring his cigarette in supple fingers.
he stood and listened roguishly. What L
say? o my dear chaps, l am not easy to
be strike dumb!''
Plainly he was nursing some joke-a Sc
cret which tickled his fancy and with
which be was loath to part.
The dull hubbub of the alarm travelled.
dividing and spreading, until it was
hushed in distance.
"Ha, hal" Rosario suddenly wheeled on
his foes, brisk and beaming malignant
Now then, gentlemen! Now 1 say it.
Your brain are very slow. You think
now all the villages. all the hills know
what have done. Good. You think now
you have catched me! All. my word.
you suppose my mind is slow interior like
yours. No, gentlemen" Rosario grinned.
esteem. "Ah, no! 1t is nimble, very.
very nimble interior is my mind. Now
see 1t. You give me for the custody to
some Dutchman with the great pad-belly
/ He wheeled menacingly on the stranger.
! And you," he cried, in triumph, lit is
| very we'll, also. for you to stand SO proud,
| looking through my poor body so trans
parently. You. Ho. no! Come, give me
| to the Dutch officer! Give. And me,
what Go I say? 1 only say. Look, Dutch
| man. here in your district, here on this
island, is not less person than his high
ness the Sultan Of"
stop there!' Without a gesture the
naughty and emblaZoned Malay cut short
| this TRADE. His face remained calm, but
for an instant his wonderful eyes burned
yet more wonderful in anger and con-
| tempt. You have said enough. Go back
TO your stables!
Rosario DOTTED his cleaning hat In
| mockery.
THANK you so much" he cfuckled. "I
shall go when I-ah-When I jolly well
please" Replacing the bowl on top of
his mottled kerchief. he snapped its band
under his chin as datntily as a. girl, then
stood at ease. one arm akfmbo. the other
holding out at full length his cigarette
which he studied with pert sagacity
through half-closed eyes. Suppose" he
gain? Your highness never mentions me,
let us say. Good! I engage, Of my part.
no word shall reach the Nail of the Uni
verse. Come, now?"
The young sultan, whatever place he
governed, could govern his own temper
"Sir'-With an air of extreme WEAKNESS
he turned quietly to David-'I am not well
used to dealing with the coolie class of
half-breeds. Neither are you, dare say
How shall we tell this stable parrot that
we have not the slightest wish to trade or
bargain with it?'
David came forward with savage alac-
rity.
"Tll get you rid of him. sir He
caught Rosario by the wrist and, jerking
him out Of his fine attitude, dragged him
headlong round the screen of foliage to
the bank where he landed. Now then!
You see your boat. Get aboard and goi"
In babble of protestations Rosario
went spinning down among the reeds,
d
heaved lead. He sprawled on his face be-
fore the two boatmen who had suddenly
dropped on their knees at the waters
edge.
Rosario scrambled to his feet, cursing
volubly. But Amat and All, kneeling
bareheaded in the sun. remained oblivious
to his outcry. nor looked up until another
voice addressed them from the bank.
"Boatmen" Their sultan spoke as one
who did not stoop to reprimand. Boat
fh0f n q
only disgrace. Remove it"
The pair sprang up light-footed ito earn
their pardon. Unbinding their hands from
the ikatdirt they bowed low together.
Remove him to the Shore" repeated
the sultan. "Give him to my guards. Let
him not escape
Without staying to see his order exc
cuted, the speaker beckoned to David and
turned calmly away.
IF you don't mind?" he said, with
friendly smile.
Side by side they re-entered the privacy
of the little lawn, passed the riot of
glorious colors where the prayer rug lay,
and halted, face to face, in the warm and
fragrant recess. The two men were
good pair. Courtly poise and warlike
habit Of authority made the sultan's
presence a fair match for David's stature.
Each regarded the other with the same
smile of humorous annoyance, on the
common level of perplexity.
DO you know, began the prince, that
fellow really had US. He's put me in a
most vexing position"
I'm sorry, your highness." replied Da-
vid. Sincerely
"Oh as to that" The other waved
his trouble aside; then, with an impulse
both frank and shy, he put forth his hand.
II like your ways Mr.-Mr. Bowman?
So, believe, that little ass called your
David laughed and shook hands.
But" continued the quiet voice. "I do
wish you'd drop all those beastly sirs'
and 'highnesses.' If you could guess how
deadly dull Well, my life's made a
burden with-what do you call it again.
ceremony! Adat here. adat there! Oh,
ceremony" And the sultan, with a
whimsical groan. which ended in a laugh.
wagged his head ruefully, like a brown
Henry V. Ceremony! Suppose 1 call
you Bowman, will you call me plain
Rama? Let's talk simply, you know. OF
course, my real name is Sri Rama Vic
rama Sangsaperba, Souria Alem, and so
on. and I'm sultan ONO matter-a place
you never heard of, up north. across the
line"