The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-18

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7 HEN Kathlyn returned to the compound Il was
~ with the news that she had discovered a group
of men, some twelve or fifteen miles to the west.
They had paused at what appeared to be a well,
and with them was the sacred white elephant. Bala
Khan was for giving orders at once to set out with hs
racing camels to catch and cruelty every mothers son
of them on the city walls. But Ramabai .interposed.
AS I came toward the compound I was given a mes.
cage. The man who gave it to me was gone before I
could get a good look at his face. These men who stol,
the sacred white elephant are brave and desperate. At
the first sign of pursuit they promise to kill the ele-
plant"
And by the beard Of the prophet" cried Bala Khan,
his face purpling with passion, " these men Of the desert
keep their promises. And so do L. I promise later to
nail each one of them to the walls to die hanging to
nails !"
But just now,' said namabai quietly, the main
thing ID to rescue the elephant, and I have a plan"
"Let me hear it."
From what you told ne last night" went on Rama
bal, those nomads or brigands are opium fends."
Bala Khan nodded.
Bruce Sahib here and will undertake to carry
them doctored opium. 1 know something about the drug.
I believe that we saw the thieves last evening as we
came through the streets. My plan is this: we will take
five racing camels, go north and turn, making the well
from the west. That will not look like pursuit"
But five camels?" Bala Khan was curious.
"Yes. In order to allay the suspicious of the ~brigands,
Kathlyn Memsahib and my wife must accompany u.s."
The colonel objected, but kathryn override: his OBJ
iections.
But, Kit, they will recognize rs. They will not have
forgotten me. They will -now that we have come from
the town, despite the fact that % all appearances we
come from the west.
Bruce also shook his head. ct doesn't look good,
Ramabai. Why not we three M"
"They would be suspicious at once. They would rea-
son, If they saw Kathlyn "temsahib ane my wife with
Us that we were harmless. Will you trust me?"
Anywhere" said the colonel "Iut they will simply
make us prisoners along with the elephant"
Al, but the Colonel sahib forgets the opium" Rama
bal laid his hand upon the colonels arm. "Le: them
make prisoners of us. The very first thing they will do
will be to search the saddle bags. They will find the
opium. In a quarter Of an hour they will be as dead
and we can return"
"It's a good plan," said Bala Khan, when the CON.
versation was fully translated to him. "And once the
elephant is back in the compound TIL send a dozen men
back for the rogues. All! they will play with me; they
will steal into my town, overcome my guards, take the
apple Of my eye! Ramabai, thou art a friend indeed.
Haste and Allah fend for thee! Umballah may arrive
with an army, but he shall not enter my gates"
Guided by a servant, Bruce and Ramabai set Off for
the opium den. The proprietor understood exactly what
tney desired. Ihere We're times when men entered his
place who were in need of a long sleep, having money
tucked away in their fantastic cummerbunds.
So, mounted upon five swift camels, the party started
OF on q wide circle. Whether they caught the brigands
at the well or on the way to heir mountain homes was
of no great Importance. Ramabai was quite certain
that the result would be the same. The colonel grunabled
a good deal Surprising the ragcals did not smoke; what
then?
They win smoke" declared Ramabai, confidently.
e The old rascal OF whom we bought the opium has
entertained them more than once. They ara too poor
10 own pipes. Have patience, Colonel sahib. A good
deal depends upon the success Of our adventure this
morning. IL T know anything about Umhallah, he win
shortly be on the march. Bala Khan has given his
word
before, the brigands would not have tarried so long at
the well /: but they we're terribly thirsty, q bit nerve
shattsred and craved Tor the drug. The chief alone had