The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-03-04
CHAPTER XVII.
The Way to kathiapur.

Gall and NORWOOD in his mouth,
more bitter than remorse, Amber be-
came conscious. Or perhaps 1t were
more truly to say that he struggled
out OF unconsciousness. dragging his
ego back by main will-power from
the deep oblivion of drugged slumber.
One by one his faculties fought their
way past the barrier, until he was
FULLY sentient, save that his memory
drowsed. His head was hot and heavy.
his eyes burned in their sockets like
balls of live charcoal, dulled bug
:tng sounded in his ears. his very
heart felt sore and numb; he was as
one who wakes from evil dreams to
the blackness Of foreknown despair.
Suddenly he raised himself upon
The charpoy and called huskily for
the khansamah. Promptly the squat
white figure that he remembered ap-
peared In the doorway. Bring lights"
Amber ordered. peremptorily. Bring
lights Quickly-and water" And whom
the man had returned with lamp,
which he put on the table, Amber
seized the red earthenware Watering
md drained 1t greedily. Returning 1t,
empty. to the brown hands, he mo.
toned to the man to wait. while he
consulted his watch. It had run down.
He thrust 1t back into his pocket and
inquired: whats o'clock?"
Eight in the evening, sahib."
Amber gasped and stared. Eight
Of the Let me think. Go. and
bring me food and a brandy. peg-or,
hold on! Bring bottle Of soda water
AID glass only"
THE khansamah withdrew. Amber
fell back with his shoulders to the
wall and stared unwinking at the
lamp. He distinctly remembered un-
dressing before going to bed; he now
found himself fully clothed. He felt
Of his pocket, and found the emerald
ring there. instead OF in its chamois
case. Then 1t had not been q night
mare!
He had bottle Of brandy which
had never been uncorked. in his trav-
cling kit. Rising. he found it and in
spected the cork narrowly to make
sure it had not been tempered with;
then he drew it.
The khansamah returned with the
glass and an unopened bottle Of
Schweppe's. and prepared the drink
under eyes that watched him narrow
ly. While Amber drank he laid
place for him at the table. When he.
left the room second time the Vir-
ginian produced his automatic pistol
and satisfied himself that it remained
loaded and in good working order.
In the course of few minutes the
native reappeared with a tray of food
and pot Of coffee. These arranged,
he stood by the chair. ready to serve
the guest. Then he found himself
looking into the muzzle of Amber's
weapon. and became apparently rigid
with terror.
"Sahib-!"
Make nc outcry, dog, and tell me
no lies, If you value your contemplate
life. Why did you drug meat whose
"Answer me quickly. son of vipers!"
by Dhola Baksh. hazoor. am in
accent! Another has done these |
who served you last night.
belize, and whose place have taken"
Now the oaths Of India are many
and various. SO that new specimen
need not be held wonderful. But Am
Der sat bolt upright. his eyes widening |
and his Jaw dropping. "Dhola-!" he |
aid, and brought his teeth together
Nth an audible click. staring e the |
as II he were = recru-
descence of prehistoric mammal. He
caught motion Of the head and
ave of the hand toward the window.
warning him that there might b an
lurking Without and
roev admirably to the emergency. I
ssrS.t is a lie miobeg0tton aoa Of |