The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-11-13


The three approached the elephant
A bit OF gymnastics and one OF them
was boosted 20 the back OF tho ele-
phant, TO whom this episode was more
or less familiar Another followed;
the third was pulled up, and from the
elephants back they made the top OF
the wall and disappeared down into
the street. Here they paused cautious
ly, for two guards always patroled the
front of the compound during the
night. Presently the three truants stole
away toward the bazaars, which in this
desert town occupied but single
street. Down they went into cellar
way and the gurus curse stalked De
side them For opium is the mana
maiden OF all curses.
Perhaps twenty minutes later slight
sounds came from the front OF the
compound wall. A rife barrel clat'
tered upon the cobbles. Then, over
the wall, near the elephant, a head ap-
peared, then a body. This was repeat
ed four times, and four light-footed
nomads OF the desert lowered them
selves into the compound, They ran
quickly to the gate and noselessly un-
barred IT, Outside were five more des-
ert nomads, gathered about the insen'
sible bodies Of the sentries.
These nine men were the dancers
who had entered the town in advance
OF Kathlyn. For weeks they had lam
in wait for this moment. They had
spied upon the three low caste keepers
and upon learning of their nocturnal
junkets into the opium den had cast
the die this night
With the utmost caution they ap'
preached the sacred elephant, took on
his chains and led him from the com
pound. Immediately six Of the maTaud
ers trotted far ahead toward the gate
they knew to be the least guarded. The
sacred elephant, passing through the
streets, attended by three men
aroused no suspicious in any strag
gler who saw. So remote was the
wall city, so seemingly impregnable
and so little interfered with that 1t was
only human that its guardians should
eventually grow careless.
When the keepers, staggering under
the fumes of the drug, returned near
daybreak, first to find the gate open
second to find their sacred charge
gone, they fed in terror; for 1t would
be death, lingering and painful, fol
them to stay and explain how and why
they had left their post.
The wild and lawless brigands knew
exactly what they were about There
were severll agents Of European and
American circuses after this white ele
phant; and as it could not be pur
chased there was no reason why II
cCIld not be stolen.
When the Brahmin arrived at sun
rise to find his vocation gone he sci
up a wailing which awakened the
household. The khan was furious and
ordered a general search. He vowed
death to the foul hands which ha6
done this sacrilege!
Kathlyn and the others were genu
Eaely sorry when the khan announced
what had taken place.
Said he: Come, you are all skilled
hunters. Find me my elephant and
these guns and newer and surer ones
shall protect you from Durga Ram
should he take it into his head to come
this way"
The colonel, Bruce and Ramabai sci
out at once. After they he'd gone q
camel rider entered the compound anC
sought an audience with Bala Khan
Kathlyn and Pundita were in the com
pound at the time and the former was
greatly interested in the saddle bags
attached to one of which was binocu
lar case. Kathlyn could not resist the
inclination to open this case. 1t con
tanned an exceptionally fine pair OF
glasses, such as were used in that day
in the British army. No doubt they
we're part of some loot.
Suddenly an idea came to her. She
asked permission Through Pundita) tc
ride the camel outside the town. After
some argument the servant in charge
consented.
Upon knoll outside the city-a
hillock of sand three or four hundred
feet in height-Kathlyn tried the
glasses. From this promontory she
had range of something like fifteen
to twenty miles. Back and forth her
gaze roved and suddenly paused.