The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-14

CHAPTER III.
THE TWO oRpEALs,
? MBALLA was not a coward; he was only ruthless
{ and predatory after the manner of his kind. A
W thrill of admiration tngled his spine. The women
Of his race were chattels, lazy and inert, without
Gre, merely drudges or ~playthings. Here was one worth
conquering, a white fame to be controlled. To bend her
without breaking her, that must be his method Of proce-
Hure. The skin under her chin was as white as the heart
of a mangosteen, and the longing - sweep her into his
arms was almost irresistible.
A high priest spoke to Kathlyn.
"What does he say?' she asked.
"That you must marry me-"
,"Tel him I refuse"
Umballa shrugged and repeated. her words. Here the
Council of Three :nterposed, warning kathryn that she
must submit to the law as it read, There was no appeal
from it.
" Then I shah appeal to the British Raj"
"How?" asked Umballa, urbanely.
Swiftly she stepped to the front Of the platform aud
extended her arms. 1t was an appeal. She pointed 10
Unballa and shook her head. Her arms went out again.
A low rurmur rippled over the pressing crowd it grew in
volume; and q frown Of doubt nitted over Umballa's brow.
The soldiers were swaying restlessly. Kathlyn saw this
sign and was quick to seize upon it's possibilities. She
renewed her gesture toward them. It seemed that she
must burst forth in their m~addening tongue: 81 appeal
to the chivalry of Alfalfa! . . Soldiers, you now
wear my uniform! Liberate met" But her tongue was
mute; yet her eyes, her face, her arms spoke eloquently
enough to the turbulent soldiers. Besides, they welcomed
the opportunity to show the populace how strong they were
and how little they feared Umballa. At a nod from their
leader they came romping up the steps to the dais and
surrounded Kathlyn. A roar came from the populace; an
elephant trumpeteG the parish dogs barked.-
Un1baila stepped back, his hand OF his jeweled sword.
He was quite unprepared for any such fragrant mutiny-
mutiny from his angle of vision, thong in law the troopers
he'd opIv PasnondeH IN the desire of their 0ueen. He turned
questioningly to the council and the priests. BE himself
could move no further. His ~confreres appreciated the
danger in which their power stood. They announced that
1t was decreed to give the queen a respite OF seven days in
which to yield, 1t would at least hold the bold troopers
on the leash till they could be brought to see the affair in
it's true light by the way Of largess in rupees. Umballs
consented because he was at the bottom Of the sack. A
priest read from a scroll the law, explaining that no
woman might rule unmarried. Because the young queen
was not conversant with the laws Of the state she would
be given seven days. Thus the Durhar ended. $500
With a diplomacy which would have graced a better
man Umballa directed the troopers to escort kathlyn to
her chamber in the zenana. He had in mind seven days.
Many things could be accomplished in that space OF time
"For the present" he said, smiling at Kathlyn, the
God Of your fathers has proven strongest. But tonor-
rowt Alb, tomorrow! There will be seven days.
Think, then, deeply and wisely. Your khitmatgar Rao is
a prisoner. It will be weeks ere your presence is known
here. You are helpless ID Il olIu AZ te he" IL
You will Won will only bruise your wings. The British
Raif The. British Raj does not want a great border war,
and 7 can bring down ten thousand wild hill men outlaws
between whom and the British Raj there is a blood feud
ten thousand from a land where there is never peace, only
truce. In seven days. Salaam, heaven Dor"
She returned his ironical gaze calmly over the shoulder
of a trooper. .E>, d. "-. ..""
.wait," she said. 81 wish you to understand the enor.
nifty Of your crime" H"-. Ill.,,
"Crimeg % with elevated eyebrows.
eyes. You have abducted me" &
N You came of your own free will" =
aThe white men of my race will not pause to argue over
onv such subtlety. Marry you? I do not Ike your color"
A dull red settled under Umballa's skin.
ST merely wish to warn you,' she went on, that my
blood will be upon your head, And woe to lou if it is.
There ara white men who will not await the coming Of tbs
British. Raj" "as .4it
aAh. YES: some brave, hardy American; Bruce Sahio,
snr ,natance. Alas, he is in the Straits Settlements
Seven days" a. 4# "
II am not afraid ~ die"
aBut there are many kinds of death" and with this
sinister reflection he stepped aside.
ghe multitude, seeing Kathlyn coming down FROM the
daig, still surrounded by her Gordon OF troopers, began
reluctantly TO dispense. !" Bread and the circus !"-the
mobs viii cry it down the ages; they will always pause te
witness ~bloodshed, from d safe distance, you may be sure
rheyaswas 4 deal &c rioting in the bazaars. that night, and
many a measure Of bhang and teddy kept the hres burning
Oriental politics is like the winds of the. equinox: IL blow:
from all directions.
The natives were taxed upon every conceivable subject
not dissimilar 10 the old days In Urdu, where a man pait
70 much for the privilege of squeezing the man under hial
Mutinys was afoot, rebellion, but il had not yet found
head. The natives: wanted a change, something TO gossil
sboiIIt during the hot, lazy afternoons, over their hookah
Ind coffee. 10 them reform meant change only, not th
uleSiations of some of their heavy burdens. The taikso
freeing slaves was but talk slaves were lucrative invest
nents q man would be 4 fool TO free them An old man