Evening star., 1914-04-12

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~ AdeHIn mendous scratch
@hEA<kX lInIl E~ ing at the rear of
NlQA lNNl H her hiding place;
~ ~ ~ the palanquin tot
Wv tered. But the
animal was not trying to get inside;
he was merely sharpening his claws
after the manner of his kind. claws
which were sharp enough, heaven
knew, since, regularly, once month
the keepers filed them to needle points.
An elephant trumpeted nearby. and
Kathlyn could have wept in despair
Outside the wall were friends, doubt
less by this time Joined by her father
and Ramabai and all wondering where
she was. She dared not call out for
fear of attracting the leopards, whose
movements she could hear constant
ly: the jar of their padded feet as they
trotted under and about the palanquin.
the sniff sniff of their wet noses. and
occasional yawning.
BY and by her curiosity could not be
~ithstood. even though she might be
courting death. Cautiously and sound
lessly she moved the curtain which
faced the wall A mass of heavy vines
ran from the ground to the top of this
wall. If only she could reach it; if
only she dared tryi Presently the
keepers, armed with goads and ropes,
would be forthcoming. and all hope
of fight banished. Umballah. upon
close inspection, would recognize her
despite her darkened skin and Indian
dress.
From the other window she peered.
There, in the path. were two 1eopards.
boxing and frolicking in play. As she
watched. always interested in the gam
bols of such animals, she noticed that
two other leopards left off prowling.
approached. sat upon their launches
and critically followed the friendly set
to. Then the other three. seeking
diversity, sauntered into view. kath-
lyn quickened with life and hope. The
seven 1eopards were at least half a
dozen yards away. 1t was but a step
TO the vines sprawling over the wall.
To think that all depended upon the
handle of the palanquin door. If it
opened without noise there was a
chance. If il creaked she was lost; for
Sny Aa
Keepers II not under the merciless paws
OF the cats.
But the longer she hesitated the less
time she would have. Bravely, then,
sne tried her hand upon the door handle
and slowly but firmly turned it. There
was no sound that she could hear She
pressed il outward with a slow. steady
movement Fortunately the dress of
the Hindu was short, somewhat above
the ankles. and within her strong
young body was free of those modern
contrivances known as corsets and
stays
She SprdnB out. dashed Tor the vines,
and drew herself up rapidly. In uni
con the seven leopards whirled and
flew at her But the half a dozen yards
which they had first to cover to reach
the wall saved her. Up, up. desper-
ately. wildly, with d nervous energy
which did far more for her than her
natural strength. The cats leaped and
snarled at her heels. She went on
Beneath her the leopards tore at the
vines and tried 70 follow. one succeed
ing in tearing her skirt with a desper-
ate slash of his paw. He lost his
hold and tumbled back among his
mates.
But every minute the vines. sturdy as
they were threatened to come tumbling
10 the ground ...
Her long and lonely experiences in
the jungle had taught her the need
Of climbing quickly yet lightly. She
Hung herself across the top of the wall,
Exhausted. For the time being, at
least, she was safe. She hung there