The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-03-11
CHAPTER XVII. (contlnued) :.

"Hazoor." the native quavered in
fright. 1T was cold upon the water
and you kept me waiting overlong. l
landed. seeking shelter from the wind
II your talk was not for mine ears,
remember that you used a tongue I
did not know"
so you were listening!" Amber
Gained himself. Never mind. Where's
your boat?"
y thought to hide 1t in the rushes
f'the hazoor will be patient for it,
tie moment :" The native
f. dropped down from the bund and dis
. appeared into the reedy tangle of the
lake shore. A minute or so later Am
Der saw the boat shoot out from the
shore and swing in long, graceful
curve to the steps of the bund.
Make haste" he ordered. as he
jumped in and took his place. IF
have kept you waiting. as you say,
then l am late"
! Nay. there is time to spare" Dulla
Dad spun the boat round and away.
Il did but think to anticipate your i'm
patience, knowing that you would as
suredly come"
:"Ah. you knew that, Dulla Dad?
How. did you known"
H. hazoor? Who am I to know
, aught? = Nay, this have
heard"-Ahe paused cunningly: "'You
shall find but one way to Kathiapur.'"
Amber, realizing that he had invited
this insolence. was fair enough not to
resent it. and held his peace until he
could no longer be blind to the fact
that the native was shaping a course
almost exactly away from the Raj
Mahal. What treachery Is this, dog?"
he demanded. This 70 not the
way" wv Il" ~ .>l
BE not mistrustful Of your slave.
hazoor." whined the native. II do the
bidding of those before whose will +
am as a leaf In the wind. It is an
order that / land you on the bund OF
the royal summer pavilion. by the
northern shore of the lake. There will
you find one waiting for you, my
lord"
He landed on the steps Of the bund
and waited for Dulla Dad to join him;
but when, hearing splash of the pad
ale. he looked round It was to find
that. the native had already put con-
siderable distance between himself
and the Shore Amber. called after
him apgrhy. and Dulla Dad rested
upon his paddle rs -4s
May, heaven-born!" he replied.
Here doth my responsibility end. An
other will presently appear to be your
guide. Go you up to the 1ungly path
leading from the. bund,
The Virginian lifted his shoulders
indifferantly. and assembled to discover
a wide. fcatpath running inland. be-
tween dark walls Of shrubberyy, but
quite deserted. He stopped with a
whistle of vexation. peering to right
and left. What the deuce!" he said
aloud. "Is this another of their con.
founded tricks?" ,fP
A low and marvelously sweet laugh
sounded at his elbow, and he turned.
with start and flutter. 9f his pulses.
"Narainii" he cried
Tell me not thou art disappointed,
O my king" she said. placing soft
hand firmly upon his arm. "Didst
thou hope TO meet another here?"
"Nay. how should expect thee?"
His voice was gentle though he
steeled his heart against her fascina-
tions; for now he had use for her.
"Had Dulla Dad conveyed me to the
palace, then I should have remember.
ed thy promise to ride with me to
Kathiapur But, being brought to this
place
"Then thou didst wish to ride with
me-" Sht nodded approval and salts
faction. "'ihat is altogether as would
have it be. Lord of my Heart. By this
nave ! r,roven thee. for thou hast con-
sented to approach the Gateway. not ,
altogether because the Voice hath
thee. but likewise. think.
becauso tine own heart urged thee.